Suche
Mein Konto
Lake Constance Science Association: Millions for innovative projects!
The W4 science association, led by the University of Konstanz, promotes innovative projects in the Lake Constance region for sustainable development.
Lake Constance Science Association: Millions for innovative projects!
The Lake Constance Four-Country Region Science Association (W4) has established itself as a significant player in university research and teaching in recent years. With the full financing of projects and impressive funding, the W4 makes a decisive contribution to the development of practical solutions in the region. 25 universities from Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Switzerland benefit from the resources and support of the association, which has been active as the successor to the International Lake Constance University since it was founded in 2000. Loud uni-konstanz.de For example, in 2024, 30 projects were funded through which 540 students could be supported in cross-border and cross-university courses.
The W4 is also recording rapid mobilization of third-party funding, which has amounted to around 14 million euros in recent years. This is done through collaboration with 110 companies and organizations that cooperate with the W4 universities to develop sustainable solutions for the living and economic area of the Lake Constance region. A highlight in the coming year will be the presentation of the W4 labs on the circular economy, mobility and Internet of Things (IoT) on June 12, 2025 in Dornbirn, where the first results of the projects will be presented.
A strong network for the region
The role of the W4 is underpinned by the support of more than 90 actors from business, politics and civil society. The scientific association organizes cooperation between top international universities, technical colleges and art and music colleges. This not only promotes the exchange of knowledge and skills, but also the development of joint teaching and study programs in the region, as noted forschungsverbund.org is to be read. In addition, the W4 has had the status of an independent provider since 2023 in order to continue to successfully attract third-party funding.
The results of these collaborations also show how important networking is for the ongoing development of universities in the Lake Constance region. The number of projects and applications almost doubled from 2023 to 2024, which shows a high demand for interdisciplinary research approaches.
The path to European integration
At the European level, W4's activities are supported by initiatives within the framework of the European Universities. These alliances, within which universities from different countries work together, aim to increase the international attractiveness of the education system. Loud bmbf.de There are currently 64 European universities in which 66 German universities are integrated. These programs promote the mobility of students and researchers, which further increases the quality of teaching and research.
Overall, it shows that the Lake Constance Four-Country Region Science Association is not only an essential network for exchange within the region, but also makes an important contribution to strengthening the European Higher Education Area. With a variety of funded projects and commitment to practical solutions, the W4 remains a driver of innovation in the Lake Constance region and beyond.