Project Sponsor

 

The aim of the Excellence Strategy is to strengthen Germany’s position as an outstanding place for research in the long term and further improve its international competitiveness. It continues the development of German universities successfully begun with the Excellence Initiative by supporting research of the highest standard, enhancing research profiles, and facilitating cooperation in the research system.

Excellence Commission Approves 57 Clusters of Excellence (27.09.18)

Funding decisions have now been made in Germany’s Excellence Strategy: The Excellence Commission, consisting of the members of the international Committee of Experts and the research ministers of the federal and state governments, approved 57 Clusters of Excellence to be funded from among the 88 proposed projects.

• Clusters of Excellence (EXC) are the project-based funding in internationally competitive fields of research at universities or university consortia. The DFG is responsible for developing and implementing this funding line. Proposals were reviewed and decided upon in an academically driven, two-stage competitive process (draft proposals and full proposals). A total of approximately €385 million are available annually for Clusters of Excellence. Final decisions was made by the Excellence Commission on 27 September 2018. Funding commenced on 1 January 2019.
• Universities of Excellence (EXU) to strengthen universities as individual institutions or as university consortia in the long term and further develop their leading international role on the basis of successful Clusters of Excellence. The German Council of Science and Humanities is responsible for developing and implementing this funding line. A total of approximately €148 million will be available annually for Universities of Excellence. Final decisions was made by the Excellence Commission on 19 July 2019. Funding began on 1 November 2019.