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Review of the year 2025

The university in four seasons.

The University of Freiburg’s review of the year 2025 invites you to look back on special moments, important achievements, and moving stories from the past year. A selection of highlights shows what the University of Freiburg and its members have achieved and experienced together.

The Excellence Strategy

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University of Freiburg receives two Clusters of Excellence

The University of Freiburg was successful with two Clusters of Excellence in the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments. The existing Cluster of Excellence CIBSS – Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies will continue to receive funding. It will be joined by the new Cluster of Excellence Future Forests – Adapting Complex Social-ecological Forest Systems to Global Change. This was announced by the German Research Foundation and the German Science and Humanities Council in May.

The rectorate and researchers smile for the camera. — Wolfgang Driever, Jürgen Kleine-Vehn, Claudine Kraft, Kerstin Krieglstein, Carola Hunte, Stefan Rensing, Friederike Lang, Marc Hanewinkel, Jürgen Bauhus (from left to right)

A cyclist in front of the university library.

Sparked in Freiburg

On 12 November 2025, the University of Freiburg submitted its application in the Excellence Strategy competition of the German Federal and State Governments: „The Future Research University: Sparking Change That Matters“.

With its proposal, the University of Freiburg sets out its ambition to shape change in society, the economy and politics: through interdisciplinary research that provides orientation, teaching that fosters critical thinking and knowledge transfer that reaches far beyond the campus. As the outcome of a university-wide process, the proposal brings together a wide range of strengths and perspectives. The application is embedded within the University’s ‘UFR 2040’ Future Agenda, which serves as a strategic compass for the University’s long-term development in research, teaching, knowledge transfer, university culture and governance.

Together on the path to Excellence

A plush unicorn in front of the university library.

A plush unicorn in front of the administration building.

How can we make the University of Freiburg more resilient, innovative, and fit for the future? This question is at the centre of the Unicorn Fund, a university-wide call for ideas with the potential to transform and improve the University as a system. The project “UniWerk” was selected from among all submissions and is now part of the application in the Excellence Strategy competition.

In the first half of the year, more than 120 members of the University worked together with external partners in focus groups to develop ideas for measures that could further develop and strengthen the University of Freiburg.

A group of people talking. — Rector Kerstin Krieglstein in conversation at the closing event of the focus groups.

Petra Olschowski visits the University

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On a visit to the University of Freiburg in september, Baden-Württemberg’s Minister of Science Petra Olschowski consulted with the University on its strategic further development.

“Universities that excel at research and innovation are of paramount importance for our society. They play an instrumental role in seeking answers to the big questions of today and tomorrow. The University of Freiburg is an outstanding example of this – a beacon in our strong research landscape in Baden-Württemberg.“

Petra Olschowski

Minister of Science, Research and Arts

Sustainable university culture

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Fünf sitzende Frauen auf einer Bühne. — Sylvia Paletschek, Vice Rector for University Culture, at the Tenure Track Conference in Berlin

Plannable positions alongside the professorship, responsibility in leadership, diversity in the selection of personnel: The structural and cultural transformation of the academic system is a central issue for the University of Freiburg that also plays an important role in its strategic process. The Universities of Freiburg and Jena are holding the ‘2025 Tenure Track Conference’ in May in Berlin to advance this issue on the political stage as well. The two universities formed the German ‘Tenure Track Network’ in 2020.

University-wide leadership guidelines

The University of Freiburg has published university-wide leadership guidelines in July. The guidelines inform University employees about roles and responsibilities and provide binding guidance for all persons who assume responsibility for employees and leadership tasks. The aim is to create an open, respectful working environment that promotes creativity, provides freedom and enables top performance.

Christian Streich honoured with University Medal

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Three people smiling in the camera. — Christian Streich with Chancellor Christina Leib and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Michael Schwarze at the university medal award ceremony

At the University of Freiburg’s Alumni Day in July, Chancellor Christina Leib emphasized how Streich reinforces the values of the University of Freiburg’s mission statement: “In particular, Christian Streich’s stance on diversity, openness and tolerance as well as his clear position in defense of democracy and the rule of law should be emphasized.”

Christian Streich is an alumnus of the University of Freiburg. After completing secondary school, vocational training as an industrial clerk and several years in professional football, he obtained his high school diploma (A-levels) and went on to study German language and literature, history and sports in Freiburg with the aim of becoming a teacher. In this interview, Streich talks about why this path was not obvious for him, how he got his first term paper back for revision after two days, and what he believes universities need to do today.

More in the interview

The Universities of Ghana and Freiburg are strengthening their cooperation

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The University of Freiburg and the University of Ghana are strengthening their long-standing cooperation by agreeing to an enhanced partnership, renewing a memorandum of understanding, and signing a student exchange agreement. The University of Freiburg is the first individual German university to sign the Africa Charter.

Jemima Anderson, Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Kerstin Krieglstein und Melanie Arndt (from left to right) at the University of Freiburg

Dean International Jemima Anderson from the University of Ghana and Melanie Arndt, Vice Rector for Internationalisation and Sustainability at the University of Freiburg, at the University of Ghana

Strengthening digital transformation in teaching

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A laptop in an empty lecture hall.

Chats with Matrix Messenger, AI-assisted translations using the university glossary, support programs for digital skills: the 4D – 4 Dimensions of Digital and Didactic Development project has launched these and many other initiatives. Since 2021, the project has been working at various levels to strengthen digital teaching and learning at the University of Freiburg. The subprojects address various aspects of teaching – from ILIAS developments and continuing education opportunities for students and teachers to publicly accessible teaching and learning resources. The project came to an end at the end of 2025. “University members will continue to benefit from the infrastructure and offerings that were created during the project for a long time to come,” explains project coordinator Dr. Christian Kny.

for researchers at the University of Freiburg

for researchers at the University of Freiburg

for researchers at the University of Freiburg

University of Freiburg networked

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Sustainability Center Freiburg (IZN)

A group of people breaking ground. — Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Engineering Center for Sustainability (IZN) in July: In the new building on the Flugplatz campus, the University of Freiburg and the five Fraunhofer Institutes in Freiburg will conduct joint research on sustainability issues in the future.

Black Forest Startup Spirit

A presentation in front of a group of people. — Together with the Universities of Furtwangen and Offenburg, the University of Freiburg is establishing an innovation ecosystem for south-west Germany called Schwarzwälder Gründergeist (Black Forest Startup Spirit). The aim is to improve the start-up culture at universities and strengthen the region as a hub for start-ups. A networking event organised by Black Forest Startup Spirit as part of the NXTGN summer tour provided insights into the project.

Südwissen network

A group of people. — Universities, industry and commerce will in future benefit even more from bundled expertise and new training formats. The Südwissen network is a cooperation of all 48 Baden-Württemberg state universities. The office is located at the University of Freiburg.

Freiburg Climate Pact

Universitätsbibliothek — In January, the University of Freiburg was one of the first signatories of the Freiburg Climate Pact, a city-wide network of institutions, companies, associations, and initiatives that aims to promote climate protection even more strongly.

Learn more [de]

Network meeting in Freiburg

A group of people smiling in the camera. — At regular meetings, the Rectorate of the University of Freiburg, the Board of Directors of the University Medical Center Freiburg, the City of Freiburg, and the management of Freiburg Wirtschaft Touristik und Messe (FWTM) discuss the joint development of our city as a center of science, health, and innovation.

Association for Teacher Training

In July, teacher training universities, colleges of education, and art and music colleges involved in one of the Schools of Education in Baden-Württemberg joined forces to form a state-wide association, including the University of Freiburg.

Learn more [de]

Eucor MobiLab Roadshow

The trinational Eucor network traveled through Germany, France, and Switzerland with the Eucor MobiLab Roadshow. In July, the MobiLab stopped at the Old Synagogue Square in Freiburg, where it enabled citizens to engage in dialogue on sustainability research through interactive activities.

EPICUR Seed Funding Scheme

A group of students talking to each other in a lab. — The European university alliance EPICUR promotes interdisciplinary research projects under the EPICUR Seed Funding Scheme. A total of seven innovative projects have been approved for 2025, including four involving researchers from the University of Freiburg.

Us as a community

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First-Year Student Day 2025

Prof. Dr. Stefan Rensing, Vice President for Research and Innovation, welcomed new students at the University of Freiburg’s Freshers’ Day at the Europa-Park Stadium. The Market of Opportunities provided an opportunity for exchange.

The stadiun full of new students.

Three young people smile at the camera in a soccer stadium, each portrayed individually in front of empty stands.

University Ball

The University of Freiburg kicked off 2025 with a university ball themed “Glamour of the 1920s.” Employees, students, alumni, and friends of the University of Freiburg celebrated together.

Two guests dancing.

Martin Horn and his wife. — Mayor Martin Horn with wife Irina

Two Guests laughing.

Rector Kerstin Krieglstein with Hans-Jochen Schiewer — Rector Kerstin Krieglstein with Hans-Jochen Schiewer

Dies Universitatis

At the Dies Universitatis in May, Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein emphasized the future orientation of the University of Freiburg in the context of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments and with regard to global challenges. Prof. Dr. Marco Prinz received the University Medal for his outstanding services to the university.

Two people at a table with a book. — Rector Kerstin Krieglstein and Marco Prinz at the award ceremony for the University Medal

A woman with grey hair stands at a podium. — Rector Kerstin Krieglstein opens the 2025/2026 Academic Year

Opening ceremony of the Academic Year 2025/26

In October, Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein opened the 2025/2026 Academic Year at the University of Freiburg. The ceremony focused on “Strategic Orientations for Universities in the 21st Century.” In her guest lecture, Prof. Dr. Linda Doyle, President of Trinity College Dublin, Ireland, spoke about how universities can redefine their responsibilities in the interplay between research, society, and politics.

A large group of people are standing on a stage with a document in their hands.

These include the University Teaching Award, the Administration Award, the Special Award for Outstanding Student Engagement, the Alumni Award for Social Engagement, the Bertha Ottenstein Award, and numerous sponsorship awards for scientists in the early stages of their careers.

A woman with grey hair is giving a speech. — Guest speaker Linda Doyle, President of Trinity College Dublin, talked about „Forests and Signals. Strategic Orientations for Universities in the 21st Century”

Rector Prof Dr Kerstin Krieglstein.

“I thank you all for your commitment and your willingness to take on responsibility and help shape changes. May the holidays offer you space for rest, renewed energy, and fulfilling encounters, regardless of which traditions you adhere to or whether this time has religious significance for you. For the coming year, I wish you and your loved ones health and confidence most of all.”

Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein

Rector, University of Freiburg

hallo