Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University Celebrate Success in the Excellence Strategy
“We are overwhelmed by this tremendous success,” said Prof. Martin Paul, president of Ruhr University Bochum. “Together, we have advanced to the Champions League of science,” added Prof. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University. The two universities had joined forces in the Excellence Strategy out of a shared conviction to further develop their long-standing partnership in a targeted manner. Under the name Ruhr Innovation Lab, they presented a concept designed to create an ecosystem for a future-proof society. It focuses on creative freedom for research, innovative teaching, close collaboration with industry and society, and new approaches to cross-university cooperation.
“Our credo is that science must not take place in an ivory tower, but must help shape solutions for society,” said Prof. Martin Paul. The joint research priorities aim to preserve prosperity for future generations, strengthen the trustworthiness of digital systems, and uphold democratic values. The two universities are already conducting world-class research on topics such as sustainable chemistry, cybersecurity, AI-supported materials development, and the nature of matter. By combining the complementary strengths of both campuses, the partnership will also address complex issues in areas such as mental health, media impact, and manufacturing design.
A Boost for the Entire Ruhr Region
“In our application, we were able to build on a long-standing collaboration, and with the Ruhr Innovation Lab, we are now taking the next step toward integration,” explained Prof. Manfred Bayer. The foundation for this is the Ruhr University Alliance, in which the two partners, together with the University of Duisburg-Essen, have created a wide range of joint structures since 2007, such as the joint research centers and the college. The Ruhr Innovation Lab is now testing an even closer bilateral integration by gradually integrating services for research and knowledge transfer, or by having pilot faculties meaningfully coordinate their personnel planning.
“Our success in the Excellence Strategy will give the entire Ruhr region a boost and greater international visibility,” the two rectors agree. It is still often overlooked that the Ruhr region is one of Germany’s most densely concentrated scientific regions, with over twenty universities and numerous non-university research institutions. A hallmark of the metropolitan area is its well-established collaboration across city boundaries—not only within the academic community but also with businesses and local governments. The Ruhr Innovation Lab therefore had strong regional partners at its side during the application process, such as the Initiativkreis Ruhr and the Regionalverband Ruhr.
Highlights from the announcement ceremony
Anxiously awaiting the decision: At the Westfälischer Industrieklub in Dortmund, members of the Ruhr Innovation Lab watched the Science Council’s press conference live. There, the two university presidents thanked all those who were particularly closely involved in the review process. Right in the middle of it all was the unicorn, which has proven to be the consortium’s lucky charm.
Congratulations to the Ruhr Innovation Lab
Video Message from the Presidents
What contributed to the tremendous success in the Excellence Strategy? What does this funding mean for research at the two universities? And how do students actually benefit from it? In a video message, the two university presidents discuss the outcome.
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University-Wide Town Hall Meeting
On October 7, the two university presidents held a virtual town hall meeting to inform members of Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University about the next steps and answer questions. A video recording of the meeting will be made available on the ServicePortal shortly.
About the Excellence Strategy
The Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments is a competitive funding program designed to promote cutting-edge research; it was first launched in 2005 under the name Excellence Initiative. Universities that secure a sufficient number of Clusters of Excellence may apply in a second funding round for the title of “University of Excellence” or “Network of Excellence.” This requires a strategic concept that strengthens both the international competitiveness of research and the organization’s capacity for structural renewal. An international jury conducts the evaluation based on a written application and an on-site visit lasting several days. Up to 15 spots were available for the seven-year funding phase beginning in 2027; ten defending institutions and eleven newcomers had applied for these spots. All funded institutions can be found on the Science Council’s website.