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Excellence Strategy

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

Funds German universities strengthening long-term excellence through institutional research programs.

The Universities of Excellence (ExU) funding line is the institutional pillar of Germany's Excellence Strategy, designed to strengthen top German universities as research institutions and expand their international leadership on the basis of their Clusters of Excellence performance. A university or university network wishing to apply must host at least two Clusters of Excellence (three for a netwo…

Lasting institutional funding for universities or university networks hosting at least two (single) or three (network) Clusters of Excellence. Strengthens international leadership in research.

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.-
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.-

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Guides for this application

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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

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

Community policing in diverse societies in Europe

🇪🇺European Commission · European Union

Funds police forces and civil-society groups to develop training that builds trust between police and diverse communities.

€3MNov'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

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