Welcome to the 4th Annual Meeting of the 3R-Competence Network of North Rhine-Westphalia from November 26th to 27th, 2026 at Kasteel Bloemendal in Vaals, Netherlands (nearby Aachen, Germany). This year, our motto “Connect. Communicate. Collaborate. — Creating Future 3R Science” captures how to advance the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement by bringing together the people and ideas that shape responsible research. By connecting researchers, method developers, and stakeholders from academia, industry, animal welfare or authorities, we create the networks and communities needed for real progress. With communicate, we share evidence, best practices, and emerging tools that support the practical implementation of the 3Rs in daily research. And through collaborate, we jointly develop and translate strategies that strengthen replacement alternatives, reduce the number of animals used, and refine procedures to improve welfare. Together, we aim to create a future for 3R science being innovative, responsible, and anchored in the ongoing development of research standards.