15 Research Centers of Excellence to be Established in Universities Across North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) - Promising 15 research hubs of exceptional caliber set to emerge at the NRW-University for cutting-edge studies.
Top-Notch Research: North Rhine-Westphalia Boasts 15 Excellence Clusters for Elite Research
North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) will soon house 15 excellence clusters in renowned international research, as announced by the German Research Foundation (DFG) in Bonn. From 2026, clusters from eight universities across NRW will receive annual funding of up to €10 million for seven years.
NRW will stand out among other federal states, as the NRW state government in Düsseldorf explained. The University of Bonn, with eight excellence clusters, leads the pack, securing more than any other university in Germany. The university had previously secured six excellence clusters in the previous funding period.
The 15 research projects are distributed among universities including the University of Bonn, RWTH Aachen, University of Cologne, Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund, and University of Münster, among others. The Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf collaborates with Cologne, while University of Siegen conducts research in partnership with Bonn and Dortmund.
Minister President Hendrik Wüst (CDU) stated that with 15 of the 70 confirmed excellence clusters nationwide, NRW stands at the "absolute peak of international science." He further elaborated, "From fighting cancer and Alzheimer's to the energy transition or IT security: our universities provide the answers to the big questions of our time." Science Minister Ina Brandes (CDU) hailed these accomplishments as "top research made in NRW."
These partnerships focus on research topics such as climate-neutral construction, cybersecurity, age-related diseases, the human immune system, sustainable crop production, and the development of liquid energy carriers, among others.
An excellence cluster represents a consortium at one or more universities, funded by the federal government and the federal states, that conducts internationally outstanding research. The excellence clusters bundle international top research focused on societally relevant topics, with scientists working cooperatively across disciplines. Universities striving for the sought-after title of "excellence university" must have at least two clusters, and university partnerships must have at least three. To date, RWTH Aachen and the University of Bonn have achieved this special title. In the next round, Aachen and Bonn, along with University of Cologne, Ruhr University Bochum, and TU Dortmund will also meet the criteria for the quest for excellence status.
- The universities in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), such as the University of Bonn, are involved in research and development programmes, focusing on topics like climate-neutral construction and the human immune system, as part of their excellence clusters.
- The medical-conditions and health-and-wellness industry will Benefit from ongoing research conducted in the excellence clusters, with a focus on finding solutions for fighting cancer and Alzheimer's.
- In the field of environmental science, NRW's universities are researching sustainable crop production and the development of liquid energy carriers, making significant contributions to the industry.
- The focus on research and development in NRW is not limited to science; it also extends to technology, finance, and business, with clusters investigating topics like cybersecurity and IT security.
- In addition to educational and self-development, the research programmes in NRW are vital for the overall growth and prosperity of the region and the nation, addressing the big questions of our time and contributing to the environmental, economic, and health sectors.
