Presentation of the 6th Aachen Animal Welfare Award

The winners of the 6th Aachen Animal Welfare Award from RWTH Aachen University have been announced. The awards are given for innovative scientific work that contributes to the 3R concept according to Russell and Burch (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in order to replace or reduce animal testing or improve testing conditions.

In the Replace category: A Bioprinted and Scalable Model of Human Tubulo-Interstitial Kidney Fibrosis - Daphne Bouwens & Univ.-Prof. Dr. Rafael Kramann, Clinic for Kidney and Hypertension Diseases, Rheumatological and Immunological Diseases (Medical Clinic II)

In the Reduce category: From Virtual Reality (VR) to Augmented Reality (AR) – Reduction and replacement of animals in practical laboratory animal science training, continuing education, and further education – Martin Lemos (Audiovisual Media Center), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Julia Steitz (Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Laboratory for Laboratory Animals), and PD Dr. Christian Bleilevens (Department of Anesthesiology)

In the Refine category: Refinement in Post-Operative Care for Orthopaedic Models: Implementing a Sheep Walking Cast (SWC) for Effective Tibial Fracture Management - Ivonne Jeanette Knorr & Jun.-Prof. Dr. Dr. Lisa Ernst, Institute for Laboratory Animal Science and Central Laboratory for Laboratory Animals

This year's award ceremony took place on November 27, 2025, as part of the third annual network conference of the 3R Competence Network NRW. The prize is endowed with 4,500 euros.