Driving 3Rs advancement for improved animal welfare and better science in Switzerland

 

We are a national competence centre dedicated to the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs) of animal use in science. Our goal is to advance the 3Rs by funding research, providing education and raising awareness about the 3Rs. In doing so, we support the development of alternatives to animal use and improve animal welfare. Additionally, we monitor the implementation of the 3Rs in Switzerland to provide valuable insights to policymakers and drive change.

Upcoming Education and Training

3Rs Innovation Challenge
The Swiss 3RCC is organising a special 3Rs Innovation Challenge for Early Career Researchers related to the 3Rs. It will take place on December 4th in Bern. During this one-day on-site workshop, you will be assigned into interdisciplinary groups, mixing laboratory research and social sciences perspectives, with the goal of a 3Rs advancement project together. […]
In person
04.12.2025
3Rs Innovation Challenge
CAS Advanced Research Methods: Implementing the 3Rs in Animal Testing
The Swiss 3RCC has partnered with the University of Applied Sciences and Arts Northwestern Switzerland (Fachhochschule Nordwestschweiz, FHNW) to offer a unique Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS) programme focused on current practices in biomedical research concerning the use of animal experimentation and alternative new approach methodologies (NAMs). The emphasis is on understanding novel strategies and good practice in […]
Online
22.01.2026
CAS Advanced Research Methods: Implementing the 3Rs in Animal Testing
Swiss 3Rs Day 2026
We are delighted to announce that our Swiss 3Rs Day 2026 will take place in Basel on the 11th of June.
In person
11.06.2026
Swiss 3Rs Day 2026

WHAT ARE THE 3Rs

FUNDED PROJECTS

Who we are

News

Gentle Handling Report 2025

In 2020 and 2024, the Swiss 3RCC and the Swiss Culture of Care Network carried out two surveys on the use of non-aversive mouse handling methods among animal care and research staff in Switzerland. Here are the results from the surveys.

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3Rs Awards 2024

The Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC) honours the Award winners: Fides Zenk, Doris Zauchner & Manon Murdeu for groundbreaking, human-relevant research replacing and reducing animal use in science.

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