Excellence Initiative
The Excellence Initiative instigated by the federation and federal states promotes outstanding research at German universities. The goal: To be world leaders. The Excellence Initiative is intended to consolidate their cutting-edge research and raise Germany's profile internationally as a seat of science. A total of 1.9 billion euros for the years 2006 to 2012 were made available to the universities within the framework of the first two selection rounds, with 75% of this sum being borne by the German federation. A total of 85 excellence facilities spread over three project-oriented, so-called funding lines were selected following a nationwide competition.
Graduate schools
Graduate schools for the scientists of tomorrow offer structured postgraduate programmes in an excellent research environment and a broad scientific field. In the first two selection rounds, 39 graduate schools will each receive an average of 5.7 million euros over a 5-year period.
Clusters of excellence
Clusters of excellence are intended to be internationally conspicuous and competitive research establishments set up at the universities which co-operate with non-university research institutions, advanced technical colleges and commerce and industry, and form an outstanding environment for the scientists of the future. On average, 31.8 million euros are being made available over 5 years for each of the 37 clusters from the current two funding periods.
Institutional strategy
The research capabilities of nine selected universities are being further consolidated through the funding of institutional strategies aimed at expanding top-level university research. A prerequisite for receiving funds is that a college must have at least one cluster of excellence and a graduate school, as well as a conclusive overall strategy for enhancing its research profile. A total of 210 million euros are set aside every year for this project. To date, nine universities have been able to convince the international experts with their concept proposals.
The programme, unique in this form, has in just a short time already transformed the German university and science landscapes to lasting effect, and is making itself felt throughout the entire country, its economy and society.