Pioneering research: TU9 is shaping change for society and the economy

Pioneering research: TU9 is shaping change for society and the economy

On March 11, 2025, the Universities in Germany, especially the leading technical universities of the TU9 alliance, have made it clear what responsibility they bear for social and economic productive power. The TU9 is an alliance that brings together nine of Germany's most renowned technical universities, including RWTH Aachen, the Technical University of Berlin, the Technical University of Dresden and the University of Stuttgart.

The members of this alliance are aware of their role in contributing to digitalization and the energy and sustainability transition. With its broad range of subjects, which includes not only engineering and natural sciences, but also the humanities, social sciences and medicine, creative solutions for global challenges are to be developed. The combination of basic research in the natural sciences and engineering with application-oriented research and innovation is of central importance.

Influence and responsibility

According to the TU9, universities take responsibility for society's innovative strength and actively shape the future through their technological expertise. The Alliance actively promotes interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration with economic actors in research and teaching. This also supports securing skilled workers in the MINT sector, which is crucial in times of skilled labor shortages.

What is particularly noteworthy is that these universities attract an above-average number of international students and actively strive for equality, diversity and anti-discrimination. These aspects are not only an obligation, but also part of the identity of the TU9 universities, which is characterized by the support of start-ups and innovative foundations.

Role of the German U15

In addition to TU9, it also plays German U15 an essential role in higher education. This strategic representation of the interests of research-intensive German universities has almost a third of all students in Germany under its care. It is also responsible for half of all doctoral projects in the country and raises an impressive two-fifths of public third-party funding. In the medical sector, this network even attracts 60 percent of funds, which underlines its high relevance.

The close interlinking of academic and practical challenges inherent in these institutions clearly shows how educational policy and research must go hand in hand in order to master the challenges of the future. If Germany wants to continue to appear as an innovative and competitive country, these issues must be taken into account in the upcoming government formation. The universities are ready to make their contribution and develop solutions for the coming challenges.