TUM: Bavaria doubles clusters of excellence – science location is booming!

TUM: Bavaria doubles clusters of excellence – science location is booming!

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) has successfully started the excellence strategy of the federal and state governments. In a notable expansion, TUM is receiving support for seven Clusters of Excellence, three more than before. Loud tum.de Four existing clusters will continue to be supported, while three new clusters will be added.

These clusters focus on the topics of energy conversion, quantum technologies, neurological diseases and the creation of the universe. The new clusters deal with nucleic acid research, biosystem design and social transformation through technologies. TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann highlights the leading position of Munich's science and emphasizes that this funding represents an important step for Munich as an academic location.

Successful collaboration in Bavaria

In a remarkable collaboration, TUM and the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) submitted a total of seven applications - including six joint ones. All Bavarian cluster applications were successful, doubling the number of clusters in Bavaria to a total of twelve. This result was recognized by Bavaria's Science Minister Markus Blume, who described Munich as a mecca of excellence and emphasized the importance of Bavaria's high-tech agenda.

The Excellence Strategy, which has been promoting excellent research and science at German universities since 2006, has clear goals. These are strengthening Germany as a science location and improving international competitiveness. Between 2006 and 2018, 4.6 billion euros were invested in future concepts, clusters of excellence and graduate schools. stmwk.bayern.de reported that the federal government covers 75 percent of the costs, while the respective federal state covers the remaining 25 percent.

Different funding phases of the Excellence Strategy

The Excellence Strategy is divided into two funding lines: Clusters of Excellence and Universities of Excellence. Clusters of Excellence offer internationally competitive research fields and promote collaboration between scientists, the training of young talent and the recruitment of top international talent. These clusters are funded for seven years, with the possibility of a second funding period. From 2019, the Excellence Initiative was continued in the Excellence Strategy, with 57 Clusters of Excellence and 11 Universities of Excellence now being supported, such as bmbf.de determines.

The first funding phase of the Excellence Strategy provides 533 million euros annually. For the next round, which begins in 2026, at least 677 million euros are planned annually. This shows that the Excellence Strategy continues to be a central component of German science policy and contributes to strengthening the international visibility and competitiveness of German universities.