Decisions on the future landscape of German higher education research were finalized in a pivotal meeting on 22 May 2025 in Bonn, highlighting the momentum behind the Excellence Strategy, a collaborative federal and state government initiative aimed at bolstering top-tier university research throughout Germany. The Excellence Commission, composed of international researchers and senior science policy ministers, selected 70 Clusters of Excellence from a highly competitive pool of 98 proposals, thereby reaching the maximum project count stipulated in the governmental administrative agreement. This landmark decision not only underscores Germany’s commitment to maintaining its competitive edge in global research but also affirms the high scientific standards met by the successful clusters.
The selection process for the Clusters of Excellence represents one of the most rigorous and transparent procedures in academic funding worldwide. Initial submissions comprised 143 draft proposals in response to a December 2022 call, which were meticulously reviewed by international expert panels. These 143 drafts were then narrowed down to 98 fully developed funding proposals by early 2024, following a stringent evaluation led by international panels whose nearly 90% makeup of foreign researchers ensures an unbiased and globally aligned review process. This peer review mechanism, emphasizing scientific merit above all, sets a benchmark for excellence and international comparability in university research funding.
The final decisions were the culmination of comprehensive deliberations held between 19 and 22 May at the Wissenschaftszentrum in Bonn. Here, the Committee of Experts conducted comparative evaluations before the Excellence Commission finalized funding allocations. The selected 70 clusters included 45 renewals of previously funded projects and 25 newly funded initiatives, spatially distributed across 43 universities in 13 federal states. These Clusters of Excellence represent dynamic research hubs, many multidisciplinary and involving collaboration between multiple universities and non-academic partners, thereby fostering a rich ecosystem of innovation and knowledge transfer.
Financially, the Excellence Strategy’s current funding phase is set to provide approximately €539 million annually, with the federal government contributing 75% and the remainder supplied by the host states. Unlike the previous funding round, these allocations will undergo a uniform proportional reduction of about 24 percent due to budgetary constraints and the upper-range funding requests typical of the clusters. Despite these adjustments, the funding strategy ensures substantial support, enabling the Clusters of Excellence to pursue ambitious, large-scale research projects over a seven-year period commencing 1 January 2026.
Scientific authorities emphasize that the selection process remains firmly rooted in research quality and academic freedom. The Excellence Commission’s decisions reflect a fully research-led evaluation, incorporating international perspectives and expert reviews devoid of political influence. Such an approach not only guarantees the integrity of the funding system but also stimulates scientific innovation by prioritizing projects with the highest potential for groundbreaking discoveries and significant societal impact.
Contextually, the Clusters of Excellence funding mechanism serves as the foundation for the parallel Universities of Excellence funding line supervised by the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat). The current selections directly influence these universities’ eligibility for additional institutional funding, contingent on maintaining a sufficient number of clusters and passing rigorous self-assessment reviews and international site visits. This tiered and interlinked funding architecture fosters both project-level and institutional excellence, creating a virtuous circle of research quality enhancement across Germany’s academic landscape.
The distribution of clusters reveals interesting patterns of collaboration: 43 are hosted by single universities; 18 by pairs; and nine by tri-institutional consortia, with five clusters spanning multiple federal states. Nearly all involve partners beyond the university realm, including industry, research organizations, and other stakeholders, thus embedding science within broader societal and economic contexts. This widespread interdisciplinarity and partnership intensity are strategic components aimed at maximizing the scientific, technological, and innovation outputs stemming from the Excellence Strategy.
For the clusters not selected for continuation, the funding framework provides a phased withdrawal through two-year completion funding at reduced levels, allowing ongoing projects to maintain momentum while transitioning out of the funding cycle. This approach balances resource allocation with responsible stewardship of research activities, preserving research output quality and enabling strategic planning for affected institutions.
Looking forward, selected new clusters can seek a second funding phase, competing again alongside fresh proposals after their initial seven-year term. This competitive renewal mechanism encourages continuous innovation, requiring clusters to demonstrate sustained scientific excellence, organizational robustness, and impactful outcomes to secure further investment. The cyclic nature of this funding model promotes a dynamic, ever-evolving research environment responsive to cutting-edge scientific challenges and opportunities.
The Excellence Strategy’s 2025 results not only solidify Germany’s position in the global research hierarchy but also set a precedent for strategic, science-driven policymaking that other nations may emulate. By combining governmental oversight, international peer review, and substantial financial support, Germany is investing decisively in its future as a powerhouse of academic excellence and innovation. This commitment underscores the vital role of science in driving societal progress and economic vitality in an increasingly knowledge-based world.
The transparent dissemination of cluster details, including a comprehensive list and geographical mapping, enhances public accessibility and accountability, fostering greater awareness of the research hubs shaping the future of science and technology in Germany. This openness also supports networking opportunities, interdisciplinary collaboration, and benchmarking within the academic community, amplifying the Excellence Strategy’s broader impact beyond the immediate research outcomes.
While the Clusters of Excellence form the project-level backbone of this initiative, parallel programs targeting universities holistically underscore the governmental vision of an integrated research ecosystem. Universities securing requisite clusters remain eligible for enhanced funding aimed at fostering institutional strategies, infrastructure, and capacities aligned with world-class standards. This layered funding approach reflects an understanding of the multifaceted nature of academic excellence, addressing both the creation of scientific knowledge and its embedding within robust institutional frameworks.
In conclusion, the latest round of the Excellence Strategy marks a watershed moment in German science policy, emphasizing competitive rigor, international collaboration, and strategic investment. By fostering clusters characterized by disciplinary diversity, strong partnerships, and innovation potential, the program continues to catalyze transformative research. Its outcomes will shape the contours of scientific discovery and knowledge application in Germany for years to come, setting a benchmark for research excellence initiatives around the world.
Subject of Research: Future funding and selection of Research Clusters of Excellence under the German Excellence Strategy
Article Title: Germany’s Excellence Strategy Selects 70 Clusters of Excellence to Drive Top-Level University Research Forward
News Publication Date: 22 May 2025
Web References:
- https://www.dfg.de/en
- https://www.excellencestrategy.de/en
- https://www.dfg.de/excellence_strategy
- https://www.wissenschaftsrat.de/excellence_strategy
Keywords: Academic policy, Academic freedom, Applied research, Research organizations, Scientific associations, Scientific conferences
