Navigation und Service

Support programmes for the development of alternative methods to animal experiments

In addition to the development of alternative methods in its own laboratory, BfR supports innovative approaches at German universities and research institutes on alternatives to animal experiments.

Since the beginning of this support programme in 1990, more than 100 research projects have been supported. BfR simultaneously funds approximately ten working groups with an average EUR 35,000 per year with project durations of one to three years in each case. A similar research programme in Germany is also offered by the SET Foundation (Foundation for the Support of Research on Alternative Methods for the Restriction of Animal Experiments).

The support by ZEBET – the “Centre for the Documentation and Evaluation of Alternatives to Animal Experiments” at BfR – allows applicants to compile within a reasonable period within the scope of a proof of concept study the experimental data which are necessary for a successful applicant under larger support programmes such as those of the German Research Society (DFG) or the focal programme “Alternatives to Animal Experiments” of the Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF).

The appraisal of the applications, which are received every two years within the framework of a public call for tenders, is carried out by scientists of ZEBET and other departments of BFR as well as external experts from other research institutes. The scientists evaluate, more particularly, the contribution of the proposed method to the 3R Principle, with a view to the potential to reduce the number of animal experiments and be recognised on a national and international level.

Up