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Bf3R Research Funding - Replacement, Reduction and Refinement
Every two years, the German Centre for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R) at the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) awards funds for scientific research projects adressing the 3R principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine). Projects are funded that serve to replace and reduce the use of laboratory animals in areas of medical research or basic biological research, or that aim to identify, classify, and reduce pain, suffering, or harm in laboratory animals and improve husbandry conditions. With a total budget of approx. 105,000 euros per project, up to 10 projects with a funding volume of approx. 35,000 euros per year and a total duration of up to 3 years are funded.
Aim of the Bf3R research funding
In particular, young scientists should obtain the opportunity to work on innovative and ambitious research projects that challenge established knowledge and question conventional hypotheses as part of a proof-of-concept study in order to obtain experimental data for a successful follow-up application for further funding (e. g. DFG, BMBF).
Who can apply for the funding?
Suitable applicants are public and non-public universities located in Germany, non-university research institutions, as well as companies in the industrial sector with research and development capacity. Applicants from all scientific disciplines with a completed academic education may apply (usually doctorate), but also PhD students are eligible if they provably have access to the laboratory equipment needed for the successful implementation of the project.
Frequently Asked Questions
We have compiled questions and answers about Bf3R research funding and the application process for you.
Tender and application documents
You can find the application documents here:
- Bf3R Forschungsförderung - Ausschreibung
(288.3 KB) - Gliederung der Projektbeschreibung (Vorlage) (77.2 KB)
- Antragsunterlagen auf Ausgabenbasis (AZA) (Vorlage) (130.3 KB)
- Richtlinien für Zuwendungsanträge auf Ausgabenbasis (AZA) (256.8 KB)
- Antragsunterlagen auf Kostenbasis (AZK) (Vorlage) (107.5 KB)
- Richtlinien für Zuwendungen auf Kostenbasis (AZK) (198.3 KB)
- Merkblatt Vorkalkulation für Zuwendungen - Kostenbasis (AZK 4) (76.5 KB)
- Schlussbericht (Vorlage) (80.0 KB)
Overview of funded projects
Register „AnimalStudyRegistry.org“
Applications with an animal experimental component (e.g. in the area of refinement) must be preregistered in the "Animal Study Registry" of the Bf3R before the start of the project:
