Highlights and Awards

We work with outstanding scientists and institutions across Switzerland to advance the 3Rs. On this page, you’ll find selected research highlights showcasing impactful projects, as well as a record of past and present 3RCC Awards, recognizing those who have made significant contributions to replacing, reducing, and refining animal use in research.

Highlights

3Rs Animated Explainers

3Rs Animated Explainers

These short animated videos explain important ideas about the 3Rs and how research is carried out responsibly.

Awards

Each year, the Swiss 3RCC recognises outstanding contributions to the 3Rs with three awards. The main 3Rs Award, worth CHF 4’000, is given for exceptional work that has significantly advanced the Replacement, Reduction or Refinement of animal experimentation in Switzerland.

We also highlight the achievements of early career researchers through our Young 3Rs Investigator Awards — two prizes of CHF 2’500 each (co-funded by NRP 79), awarded to individuals who have demonstrated strong commitment and innovation in advancing the 3R Principle.

Finally, the Culture of Care Award honours an individual or team who has worked to foster a positive and proactive Culture of Care within an institution that uses animals in research. Find out more about the Culture of Care.

To learn more about the awards and how to nominate someone, click here.

AWARD WINNERS

AWARD WINNERS

The Bellinzona Institutes of Science (Bios+) is recognised for their Culture of Care towards their laboratory animals.
05.12.2025
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The 2024 Young 3Rs Investigator Awards have been awarded to Doris Zauchner (ETH Zürich) and Manon Murdeu (EMPA) for their outstanding work in advancing human-relevant alternatives to animal testing. Their innovative research in rare disease modeling and reproductive toxicology exemplifies the 3Rs principle by reducing animal use while enhancing the quality and ethical standards of biomedical science.
10.11.2025
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Fides Zenk of EPFL has received the 2024 3Rs Award from the Swiss 3R Competence Centre (3RCC) for her groundbreaking work using human brain organoids to study early neurodevelopment. Her research provides a powerful new approach to understanding how genes are regulated during early brain formation—a key to unlocking the mechanisms behind neurodevelopmental disorders.
01.11.2025
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