Excellence Strategy

The Excellence Strategy is the joint Federal-Länder programme that strengthens cutting-edge research at German universities. It has two lines: Clusters of Excellence, which fund internationally competitive research fields, and Universities of Excellence, which provide long-term institutional support for universities or university networks built on that cluster base. Clusters run for seven years and may be renewed once, while Universities of Excellence are funded on a lasting basis but are reviewed every seven years. From 2026 the programme's annual budget rises to EUR 687 million, with EUR 539 million reserved for up to 70 Clusters of Excellence. The Federal Government pays 75 percent of the cost and the host Land pays 25 percent, and selection is handled in a science-led process by the DFG and the Wissenschaftsrat. The current cycle starts funding for the second cluster round on 1 January 2026 and for the second university round on 1 January 2027. The programme suits universities that can show real research depth and a convincing institutional case. Clusters need internationally competitive, often cross-disciplinary research areas, while Universities of Excellence need at least two Clusters of Excellence, or three for a university network, so the best applicants are those that can convert strong scientific performance into sustained visibility and leadership.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.