Edit Page
02/04/2025
Courses offered by the Centre for Key Qualifications (ZfS) in the 2025 summer semester
Taking responsibility and actively shaping diversity are the guiding principles behind the numerous events offered by the Centre for Key Qualifications (ZfS) in the new semester programme. The programme is aimed at all students at the University of Freiburg.
01/04/2025
“Freiraum” at 1,100 metres above sea level
The Foundation Innovation in Higher Education promotes student concept developments for the use of the University building on the Schauinsland.
31/03/2025
New application HAWKI allows all university members data-protection-compliant use of generative AI
The University of Freiburg is providing its members and associates with a new web application – HAWKI – that enables them data-protection-compliant access to generative AI models for administration, research, teaching and learning.
28/03/2025
‘Science and scientific freedom are essential to a strong liberal democracy.’
The University of Freiburg endorses the Joint Declaration by German Science Organizations and the German Federal Minister of Education and Research on Scientific Freedom.
24/03/2025
Tree diversity reduces heat peaks in forests
The more species-rich the forest, the cooler it remains during heat waves and the warmer during cold waves, shows a new study with participation from the University of Freiburg.
20/03/2025
EPICUR Hubs begins on 8 April 2025
The European university alliance EPICUR is opening the first round of EPICUR Hubs on 8 April 2025. The kick-off event will focus on the topic of ‘Sustainable Transformation’. Invited are master’s students, early-career researchers, University members, and representatives from industry, politics, civil society, and research.
19/03/2025
Robert Zeiser receives Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize
The German Research Foundation (DFG) will award Freiburg cancer researcher Robert Zeiser the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize on 19 March 2025. The prize is regarded as Germany’s most important honour for research and is endowed with 2.5 million euros.
New Deep Learning Cluster for AI Research
The University of Freiburg is expanding its computing capacity for Machine Learning with the purchase of a new high-performance cluster. The large-scale device modernises and expands the existing infrastructure, thereby strengthening basic research in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
14/03/2025
Strengthening Digital Transformation in Teaching
The aim of the project 4D – 4 Dimensions of Digital and Didactic Development is to strengthen digital teaching and learning across various levels at the University of Freiburg. Since 2021 there have been sub-projects relating to different aspects of teaching – ranging from ILIAS developments through advanced training opportunities for students and teachers and even teaching and learning resources that are open to the public.
How Dieseased Trees Point the Way to Resilient Forests
In many places, forests have to cope with extreme weather conditions in order to survive. The tree pathologist Dr Kathrin Blumenstein is researching the microorganisms that weaken trees under different climatic conditions and thus disrupt the material cycle in the forest. The findings aim to help to make an optimal selection when planting new trees.
13/03/2025
Making the most of small data
Big Data, high performance computers, AI are topics that have received a lot of attention lately. But how do scientists address problems when the available amounts of data are small? Since October 2023, researchers in the Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) “Small Data” have been studying and developing methods for such small data applications.
QS Rankings: Five subjects ranked in the top five nationally
According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the University of Freiburg is among the top five universities in Germany in five subjects. It is listed in a total of 34 subject rankings.
11/03/2025
A Retrospective on 150 Years of World Politics
Contemporary historian Prof. Dr Jan Eckel has been awarded the Volkswagen Foundation’s Opus Magnum grant for a book project on the history of international and transnational politics since the late 19th century. In an interview, he talks about his research interest and provides a first insight into the content of the work.
07/03/2025
A delegation from Cameroon commemorates ancestors at the University of Freiburg
A delegation from the Maka and Omvang communities in eastern Cameroon is paying tribute to their ancestors on a trip to Freiburg and Stuttgart. The remains of five of their ancestors have been stored in the anatomical collection at the University of Freiburg since 1907. This is the first delegation from Cameroon to visit their ancestors in a German collection.
06/03/2025
USA makes entry more difficult for non-binary and trans* people
University members should be aware of the revised rules for entry permits when planning trips to the USA. Non-binary and transgender people will be discriminated against in future.
05/03/2025
Political Panel Reveals Views after 2025 Parliamentary Elections
The University of Freiburg’s political panel survey provides information about views on foreign and security policy as well as coalition preferences after the 2025 German parliamentary elections.
04/03/2025
Diversity Audit Starts at University of Freiburg
‘Shaping diversity’ is the theme of a diversity audit conducted by the Stifterband that the University of Freiburg will undergo in the coming two and a half years. All members of the University can share their ideas on equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion.
03/03/2025
Mental health, grants, career coaching: advice for doctoral students
GraCe, the graduate centre at the University of Freiburg, is the central point of contact for doctoral students. In this interview, the team provides insights into the many forms of advice and support they offer, and explains why no one should feel inhibited about seeking help from them.
28/02/2025
Welcome! Dr Brian Moser, Junior Professor for Experimental Particle Physics
On 1 January 2025, Dr Brian Moser was appointed to the Junior Professorship for Experimental Particle Physics. In a short interview, he talks about what inspires him about particle physics, what he does outside of his research and which Baden specialities he is particularly looking forward to.
27/02/2025
The first female student in Germany enrolled at the University of Freiburg 125 years ago
The University of Freiburg recognizes Johanna Kappes’ outstanding importance as a pioneer for women in science.
26/02/2025
Generation Quantum: Eucor is setting up a comprehensive doctoral programme in quantum science
“Gen-Q” enables 51 young researchers to pursue a doctorate with an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral focus. The University of Freiburg is involved in the programme collectively with its Eucor partners and the Universities of Amsterdam in the Netherlands and Poznań in Poland.
25/02/2025
Unicorn Fund: Inspiration for the University of Freiburg’s Future
Research and research management teams are invited to enrich the University of Freiburg’s proposal for the Universities of Excellence funding line with their ideas.
Tree diversity increases carbon sequestra
Forests planted with many different tree species have substantially higher aboveground carbon stocks and greater carbon fluxes than monocultures, shows an international study led by the University of Freiburg.
21/02/2025
Strengthening and Intensifying International Partnerships
Delegations of University leaders and researchers led by Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein visited two close partners of the University of Freiburg: Nagoya University in Japan and the University of Adelaide in Australia. The focus was on more intensive cooperation in research as well as strategic further development at the universities.
19.02.2025
European learning: EPICUR offers interdisciplinary and intercultural learning activities for all
EPICUR, the European university alliance, offers students from its nine member universities innovative teaching and learning opportunities, including intensive courses, summer and winter schools and courses in a variety of face-to-face and online formats.
19/02/2025
Artificial Intelligence in the Judiciary
A new Daimler and Benz Foundation research network is studying the prospects of modern software technology in the legal system. Prof. Dr. Markus Langer from the University of Freiburg is collaborating on the project.
12/02/2025
Illegal Killing Poses Greatest Threat to Lynx
The survival probability of the lynx in Europe is determined more by human influences than by natural factors. This was demonstrated by an international team of researchers led by the University of Freiburg that analysed telemetry data of lynxes from throughout Europe.
11/02/2025
A Training program for Community-Supported Businesses in the Food Industry
In the KoWerk training program, local companies and initiatives spent ten weeks learning the foundations of community-supported entrepreneurship.
06/02/2025
Therapeutic online programmes for children, young people and parents
The Psychotherapy Centre of the University of Freiburg offers one-off online therapy sessions for children, adolescents and parents.
Seed Money: Eucor funds four cross-border research projects at the University of Freiburg
The trinational university alliance Eucor – The European Campus is once again providing its Seed Money funding for cross-border projects. A total of eight projects from the two funding streams, “Teaching”, and “Research, Innovation and Transfer”, have been approved, and four of them are led by Freiburg scientists.
05/02/2025
Exhibition at Uniseum Freiburg: ‘Bert Jäger through the Lens of Informalism’
The University of Freiburg’s museum is holding a special exhibition featuring works of the Freiburg painter and graphic artist Bert Jäger (1919–1998) as well as other representatives of informalism.
The University of Freiburg has started using the social media platform Bluesky
After the University’s withdrawal from the X platform, Bluesky and Mastodon will be further expanded as channels for University and scientific communications.
04/02/2025
New learning modules on artificial intelligence in “Basic Training in Information Security”
Newly developed e-learning courses cover the topics of artificial intelligence, malware and security protocols. They are part of the free “Basic Training in Information Security”, which is aimed at all students and employees of the University of Freiburg.
New e-mail addresses for students and doctoral students
Starting this summer semester (2025), all students and enrolled doctoral candidates at the University of Freiburg will be required to use a University email address for student matters. The activation of the UniMailboxes already began at the beginning of the winter semester and should be completed by 15 February 2025.
03/02/2025
The Student Service Center is being restructured
Clearer responsibilities, faster processing, specialised advice and information, and an overall better service – the restructuring offers students various advantages.
31/01/2025
WahlSwiper is now available for the 2025 federal election
WahlSwiper is made up of 38 questions on topics such as energy, migration, transport, economic and defence policy. Prof. Dr Uwe Wagschal from the Department of Political Science is the scientific director of the app project.
28/01/2025
New avenues in quantum research: supramolecular qubit candidates detected
The Franco-German research team, including members from the University of Freiburg, shows that supramolecular chemistry enables efficient spin communication through hydrogen bonds
800 guest danced at the 2025 University Ball
Eight hundred guests celebrated at the Gutmann dance school ballroom under the motto “Glamour of the 1920s”.
24/01/2025
Information security management at the University of Freiburg recertified by TÜV SÜD
The University of Freiburg has a reliable information security management system for operation of its resources in IT Services’ Machine Rooms I, II and III.
23/01/2025
THE World University Rankings by Subject 2025: The University of Freiburg among the top 100 worldwide twice
The ‘World University Rankings by Subject 2025’ published by the British magazine Times Higher Education (THE) ranks the University of Freiburg among the top ten universities in Germany in six subject groups. In the international comparison, it is ranked twice among the top 100 universities and three times in the 101 to 125 range.
15/01/2025
The University of Freiburg is leaving the social media platform X
The Mastodon and Bluesky news services are being expanded as channels for University and science communications.
Chemical industry fund promotes practical methodology and sustainability in the pharmaceutical sector
The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences is offering a new methodology course presented by experts from the profession with the aim of giving students practical insights. The course has been made possible with funding from the German Chemical Industry Fund.
Protein protects biological nitrogen fixation from oxidative stress
A research team from the University of Freiburg led by biochemist Prof. Dr. Oliver Einsle has discovered how the “Shethna protein II” protects the nitrogen-binding enzyme nitrogenase from damage. The protein could help to make nitrogenase usable in biotechnology and thus reduce the amount of synthetic fertiliser used.
14/01/2025
Bioinspired weather-responsive adaptive shading
Pine cones as a model: Researchers at the universities of Freiburg and Stuttgart have developed a new, energy-autonomous facade system that adapts passively to the weather.
09/01/2025
New AI model TabPFN enables faster and more accurate predictions on small tabular data sets
A team led by Frank Hutter, Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Freiburg, has developed a new method that facilitates and improves predictions of tabular data, especially for small data sets with fewer than 10,000 data points.
Social and Economic Disparities Impact Wildfire Protection
Low-income communities in California are at a greater risk of suffering the consequences of wildfires – also because they are less well protected. This is the conclusion reached by an international research team at the University of Freiburg and Stanford University.
08/01/2025
Evolutionary biology: Ants can hold a grudge
A team led by evolutionary biologist Volker Nehring is investigating the extent to which ants learn from past experiences.
07/01/2025
Researchers have a better understanding of how our cells dispose of waste while developing ways to control it
A research team from Freiburg and Frankfurt has discovered how cells recognise and internally break down waste. The results are relevant for the development of therapies for diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
