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Strong partnership: Oldenburg and Groningen rely on research and innovation!
The University of Oldenburg is strengthening its collaboration with the University of Groningen until 2030 through new projects, networks and funding.
Strong partnership: Oldenburg and Groningen rely on research and innovation!
Five years ago, the universities of Oldenburg and Groningen made a groundbreaking decision by launching a roadmap for deeper cooperation until 2030. An annual meeting of the executive committees took place on May 28, 2025, at which a mid-term review of the roadmap was taken. The collaboration is described as solid and should be further expanded to meet the requirements of modern research and teaching. In this context, funding from the state of Lower Saxony was approved in February to build new networks between researchers at the two universities, which are to be strengthened through numerous initiatives and projects.
The University of Groningen plays a central role in Oldenburg and Bremen's joint application as a university of excellence. This partnership has existed for over 40 years and makes a significant contribution to strengthening the border region between Germany and the Netherlands.
Focus of the roadmap and bilateral projects
The roadmap includes seven central focus areas: healthy aging, linguistics, energy research, law, digitalization, teacher training and knowledge transfer. 36 bilateral projects have already been initiated between 2021 and 2025. There are also collaborations in eight third-party funded projects, which are supported in particular as part of the EU INTERREG program.
There are currently 24 binational doctorates underway, seven of which have already been successfully completed. This collaboration has resulted in over 200 scientific publications, primarily in the field of medicine. A pilot project in Papenburg aims to strengthen cooperation with the regional economy as well as politics and society.
Funding and future initiatives
Over the next five years, numerous new networks are planned through conferences, faculty visits and online events. Particular attention is paid to the “Program for Excellence” at the University of Oldenburg, which is supported by the state of Lower Saxony. This program includes several measures designed to strengthen and further develop the partnership.
Around 15 researchers will conduct research at the partner university for up to four months each year. In addition, a program will be established that enables one doctoral student per year per faculty to complete a doctorate at both universities. The “Oldenburg Young Academy” is another project that aims to promote talented scientists in early career stages and international academic exchange.
In addition, a conference for student research is planned to invite Dutch students to Oldenburg. These initiatives are part of a broader plan to strengthen and further expand the bilateral partnership between the University of Oldenburg and the University of Groningen.
The topic areas developed under the name “Roadmap 2020-2030”, such as the energy transition and climate adaptation, governance, digital societies and teacher training, show the broad possibilities for cooperation. As part of these initiatives, funding of up to 4,000 euros per project could be made available to further intensify the partnership.
Strengthening bilateral cooperation will not only enrich the academic landscape of the two universities, but also make a valuable contribution to social and economic development in the entire region.