Doerenkamp

The Doerenkamp-Zbinden Foundation for Animal-Free Research is a Swiss foundation dedicated to reducing animal suffering and advancing alternatives to animal testing. Established through the initiative of Hildegard Doerenkamp and Professor Gerhard Zbinden, the foundation supports research and education in biomedicine guided by the 3Rs principle: replacing, reducing, and refining the use of animals in research. It promotes the development of in vitro methods and supports improved animal handling, anaesthesia, and experimental techniques where animal experiments remain necessary.

The foundation also works to raise awareness of animal welfare among students and scientists through symposia, publications, and artwork. Its activities include funding research and establishing endowed professorships, which it regards as an effective way to embed the 3Rs in teaching and research. The foundation supports projects and chairs, publishes ALTEX, offers research funding under stated guidelines, and presents DZS prizes for contributions to animal welfare in science.

Through these initiatives, it encourages innovative approaches to animal-free research and development