The DFG awards the prize to researchers who strive to improve animal welfare in research. This includes in particular the development of procedures that contribute to the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experiments. The prize, worth a total of 80,000 euros, is awarded every two years.
The Ursula M. Handel Animal Welfare Prize was initiated by its eponymous founder. Ms Handel (1915-2011) campaigned for animal welfare in many different ways for many years. Among other things, she founded the "Bonn Working Group for Animal Welfare Law" and was involved in the amendment of the Animal Welfare Act. A special concern for her was animal protection in science and research. Her commitment was primarily aimed at limiting the suffering of laboratory animals as much as possible and reducing the number of animal experiments. For this purpose, Ms. Handel made extensive financial resources available to the DFG, with which one or more projects to improve animal welfare in research can be awarded. With prize money of currently 80,000 euros, the Ursula M. Handel Animal Welfare Prize is the most valuable research prize of its kind in Germany. It is awarded every two years.
Goal of the promotion
The prize is awarded to scientists who are particularly committed to animal welfare as part of their research work. This includes, in particular, the development of procedures that contribute to the reduction, refinement and replacement of animal experiments in line with the 3R principle.
Number of prizes and prize sums
The funds for the prize are donated by Mrs. Ursula M. Handel. The minimum price is 25,000 euros. The prize money is currently 80,000 euros. The prize can be awarded to individual prizewinners or divided among several prizewinners.
Selection of the award winners
A jury appointed by the President of the DFG selects the award winners on the basis of appraised application documents.
Further information can be found on the DFG website.
Contact
Contact person in the DFG Head Office:
Dr. Paulin Wendler, Life Sciences Group 1, Tel. +49 228 885-3155, paulin.wendler(at)dfg.de
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