Increased Achievement: Saxony Doubles Its Excellence Clusters Count - Spectacular Accomplishment: Saxony Doubles Its High-Performing Research Centers
Saxony Secures Doubled Number of Research Clusters in German Excellence Initiative
Saxony will significantly bolster its presence in the German Excellence Initiative, with the state now boasting six research clusters compared to the previous three. Five projects from the Technical University of Dresden (TUD) and a new application from Leipzig University have triumphed in the nationwide competition, securing funding for seven years commencing in 2026. Out of eight full applications from the Free State, the DFG and Science Council in Bonn announced the selection of a total of 70 projects across Germany.
State Minister President Michael Kretschmer (CDU) heralded this as a resounding success for the universities of Dresden and Leipzig, marking a powerful endorsement for the science hub of Saxony. This achievement, according to Kretschmer, is the culmination of years of hard work, astute science policy, and unwavering support. He highlighted that both universities demonstrate that excellence is attained through performance, substance, and collaboration at the highest level.
Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow (CDU) also extended congratulations, deeming the outcome as outstanding. He assured that the Free State would continue to accompany and support the excellent research at both universities, similar to their steadfast support throughout the application phase. In Gemkow's opinion, this triumph isn't just a victory for the universities themselves but for the entire science landscape of Saxony. Around 200 million euros in federal funds is anticipated to flow into the six clusters, and the economy stands to gain significantly from the peak research in these fields.
Dresden-Based Research Projects
The TU Dresden (TUD) secured five ongoing clusters – "Physics of Life", "Complexity and Topology in Quantum Materials", and "Center for Tactile Internet", as well as two new projects: "REC2" focuses on creating the scientific foundations for future electronics, promoting sustainability and resource efficiency, while "Care" concentrates on developing climate-neutral and efficient construction methods, in collaboration with RWTH Aachen. TUD Rector Ursula M. Staudinger characterized this as a great success, evidence of TUD's standing as one of Germany's most powerful technical universities. This achievement confirms TUD's claim as a leading force in critical scientific and societal fields for the 21st century, she added.
The University of Leipzig's Center for Metabolism has also gained funding, aiming to provide new insights into diseases caused by metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases. Rector of the University of Leipzig, Eva Inés Obergfell, marveled at this milestone, stating that it would pave the way for the creation of a clinical research center, in collaboration with the University Hospital and the Heart Center Leipzig, as well as five Max Planck, Helmholtz, and Fraunhofer Institutes.
The Excellence Strategy underpins Peak Research at Universities
The Excellence Strategy, a joint initiative between the federal and state governments in Germany, aims to enhance Germany's research landscape since 2016. As part of this strategy, funding is provided for Clusters of Excellence, prestigious university-based research projects in Germany. In the new funding phase starting from 2026, 70 Clusters of Excellence were chosen, encompassing a combination of renewals of existing projects and new clusters, with funding commencing on January 1, 2026. For the current phase of the Excellence Initiative, a total of 98 applications were submitted by 47 German universities. Approximately 539 million euros are available annually for this initiative, with funding attributed to a specific duration of seven years. Each cluster can anticipate annual funding of between 8 and 10 million euros.
This success in Saxony underscores the region's robust research environment and positions it as a hub for innovation and scientific excellence in Germany.
- The Community programme for 'Health and Wellness' may benefit from the peak research in the field of metabolic disorders, led by the Center for Metabolism at the University of Leipzig.
- In the realm of 'Business' and 'Finance', the economy of Saxony stands to gain significantly from the influx of around 200 million euros in federal funds into the six research clusters.
- The success of Saxony in securing doubled number of research clusters in the German Excellence Initiative marks a significant stride in the 'Education and Self-Development' sector, as it serves as a model for other regions aspiring to foster a culture of academic excellence and innovation.
