Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space logo
Excellence Strategy

Excellence Strategy — Clusters of Excellence Round 2 (decision, funding from)

Funds seven-year cross-disciplinary research clusters at German universities to strengthen international competitiveness and talent development.

The Clusters of Excellence funding line is the project-based pillar of Germany's Excellence Strategy, a joint Federal Government and Länder programme launched in 2019 to strengthen the international competitiveness of German universities. Clusters receive seven-year project funding to support internationally competitive, cross-disciplinary research fields addressed by individual universities or un…

Open to projects across all academic disciplines. Cross-disciplinary Clusters of Excellence at German universities or university networks, with cooperation with non-university research partners encouraged.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Triennial
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.84 months
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.25%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.€539M

Sign up free to see the funding breakdown

Sign up free to see the industries in scope

Sign up free to see the full eligibility

Sign up free to see how to apply

Sign up free to see what you submit

Sign up free to see the timeline

Guides for this application

All guides →
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Closing the learning gap: uncovering causes and effective policy interventions for declining youth skills in mathematics, reading, and science

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds research into the structural causes of Europe's 15-year decline in youth maths, reading and science skills.

€3M – €4MSep'27
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Rethinking sustainable competitiveness beyond traditional perspectives: role and contribution of the Social Economy

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds research measuring how cooperatives, mutuals and social enterprises contribute to the EU's sustainable competitiveness.

€3M – €4MSep'27
European Space Agency logo
Open

Proof-of-Concept Studies and Pilot Projects for Space-Enabled Applications

🇪🇺ESA · Global / Multinational

Funds businesses building commercial services on top of space assets.

Space
€600K
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Strengthening rural communities' resilience to shocks

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds research and pilots that help rural communities anticipate, survive and recover from economic, climate or social shocks.

€5MSep'27
European Commission logo
Scheduled

Consolidation of the research infrastructure landscape – individual support for evolution, long-term sustainability and emerging needs of pan-European research infrastructures

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds individual support to a single ESFRI Landmark or European Research Infrastructure Consortium to strengthen, evolve or sustain a pan-European research infrastructure.

€3M – €4.5MJun'27
European Commission logo
Scheduled

The effective use of artificial intelligence in learning environments in pre-primary and primary education

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds long-term studies on how AI tools affect learning outcomes and wellbeing in pre-primary and primary schools.

€3M – €4MSep'27