Animal Research

Our university considers itself obligated to research, innovation and the development and advancement of methods that present alternatives to animal experimentation. Wherever animals are used in our research, we place particular emphasis on maintaining high ethical and quality standards.

Responsibility and transparency for animal welfare

TUM pursues the principle of avoiding animal experiments wherever possible, limiting the number of animals used in experiments to the absolute minimum and using the gentlest possible methods (3R principle: replace, reduce, refine). In tumor research and in the life sciences and neurosciences, for example, work with animals remains necessary. In addition, our university actively promotes innovations in animal welfare and alternative methods and consistently thinks along with them (TUM 3R+).

To the website "Research with animals"

Research and innovation

Animals in research

Animal studies are central to scientific progress in many areas and are always carried out under ethical consideration and in accordance with evolving animal welfare standards.

Focus areas

Animal husbandry

The animal facilities are managed in accordance with high ethical standards and the 3R principle to ensure the welfare of the animals. Employees are regularly trained and educated to ensure high standards of care.

Information on animal husbandry

Alternative methods

TUM promotes alternative and complementary methods to reduce and replace animal testing. These include computer simulations, cell cultures and organoids.

Alternatives

TUM 3R+ principle

This principle extends the established 3R concept to include innovation. New research approaches and ideas for animal welfare and alternative methods are specifically promoted and further developed.

TUM 3R+ principle

Organization

Specialized committees and structures are responsible for adhering to strict standards in our work with animals and ensure continuous further development.

Committees

TUM Animal Welfare and Science Council (TUM AWC)

The committee is tasked with promoting exchange between all participating institutions and working towards the use of alternative methods at TUM.

TUM AWC

FAQs on animal research

What are animal experiments and why are they carried out in research? Here you will find questions and answers on the subject.

FAQs

Research news

Read here about research successes that have been achieved on the basis of animal studies.

News

Support for researchers

In order to keep scientists at our university up to date with the latest developments in animal research and to promote exchange between them, there are various target group-specific offerings.

TUM 3R+Hub - knowledge exchange and networking
The digital knowledge platform TUM 3R+Hub has been available since 2025. Current innovative research methods and results are shared TUM-wide via it and thus enable an innovative exchange of knowledge.

Further information on the TUM 3R+Hub
For researchers: Login to the TUM 3R+Hub

Qualification and further training
By integrating training and continuing education in animal‑based research at TUM, researchers, students, and trainees can gain access to targeted programs on current methodologies. This leads to the further development of techniques and animal welfare, which supports the framework conditions for excellent research.

Offers: Center for Preclinical Research (ZPF) Education and Training Center (in German)

Initiative Transparente Tierversuche

TUM is a member of the "Initiative Transparente Tierversuche"

We support researchers in fulfilling their responsibility for transparent animal research and communicating openly about it. TUM is therefore part of the "Initiative Transparente Tierversuche" (Transparency Agreement for Transparent Information and Open Communication about Animal Research in Germany). Among other things, participating research institutions are committed to communicating and informing clearly about animal experiments and actively shaping the public dialog.

Further information on the initiative