Ruhr University and TU Dortmund: Together at the forefront of research!

Ruhr University and TU Dortmund: Together at the forefront of research!

On September 23rd, the rectors of the Ruhr University Bochum, Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, and the Technical University of Dortmund, Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer, took part in a joint lecture in which they presented the plans for the application in the Excellence Strategy. This application, which is called “Ruhr Innovation Lab”, is intended to enable the two universities to win the title of “Verbund of Excellence” in the second funding line of the competition. Around 150 members of TU Dortmund came to the lecture in the International Meeting Center.

Both universities qualified for the next round of the Excellence Strategy in May 2025 by recruiting three clusters of excellence. Up to 15 universities of excellence or associations of excellence can receive funding in this competition. These include ten defending champions and ten challengers. Bayer highlighted top international research in the Ruhr area, while Paul presented the Ruhr Innovation Lab as a new experimental and testing space.

Collaborations and research fields

The cooperation between the Ruhr University of Bochum and the TU Dortmund has existed since 2007 as part of the Ruhr University Alliance (UA Ruhr). During this time, valuable preparatory work has already been done, such as the joint RuhrCampus study room and the Research Academy. In addition, four research centers and one college were founded in 2021, which have brought experience in building cross-university structures in cutting-edge research.

The two universities focus on common profile areas, including solvation research, trustworthy AI, novel materials and the nature of matter. Within this framework, three further areas that offer high development potential will also be identified and expanded. A central goal is to strengthen the transfer of technology and knowledge to the region.

Support for startups and cultural integration

A further step to promote cooperation between business and universities is the BRYCK Startup Alliance, approved in July 2025. This initiative aims to improve start-up support in the Ruhr area. Science should also be integrated into society as part of culture. This happens through places like the Dortmunder U and the House of Knowledge in Bochum.

Eight weeks after the application was submitted, an online digital panel will take place on November 13th at 1:15 p.m. to explain further plans. At that time, a website will also go live that will provide information about the association. There will also be a digital town hall meeting on the same day to inform members about the specific plans.

Outlook on the selection process

The application will be assessed in spring 2026 through a site visit lasting several days in Bochum and Dortmund. The decision on funding is expected at the beginning of October 2026. The funded concepts will start in January 2027 with an annual funding amount of between 15 and 28 million euros. Every seven years, universities of excellence and associations of excellence have to undergo an evaluation in order to maintain the quality of the funded projects. These guidelines are part of the comprehensive excellence strategy that the federal and state governments launched in 2016 to strengthen top-level research at German universities and position Germany as a science location in international competition.

The Ruhr Innovation Lab is an example of interdisciplinary approaches and innovative collaborations in the German university system, with the focus on strengthening international visibility and scientific excellence. For further information about the Excellence Strategy and its funding lines, see the pages of News Ruhr University Bochum, Research Ruhr University Bochum and Federal Ministry of Education and Research.