{"id":3220,"date":"2024-05-28T08:05:48","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T08:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/uni-freiburg-migration\/?page_id=3220"},"modified":"2026-05-28T17:45:33","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T15:45:33","slug":"the-excellence-strategy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uni-freiburg.de\/en\/topics-in-focus\/the-excellence-strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"The Excellence Strategy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The University of Freiburg is applying for the title of University of Excellence as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German Federal and State Governments. Its application is based on two Clusters of Excellence: CIBSS \u2013 Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies<\/strong> and Future Forests \u2013 Adapting Complex Social-Ecological Forest Systems to Global Change<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cThe Excellence Strategy is a key instrument for advancing the University of Freiburg as a leading, globally connected and socially responsible research institution \u2013 and for ensuring progress in knowledge at the highest level.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tProf. Dr. Kerstin Krieglstein\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Funding Line: Universities of Excellence<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With its proposal in the Universities of Excellence funding line, \u2018The Future Research University: Sparking Change That Matters\u2019, the University of Freiburg sets out its goal of actively shaping change in society, the economy and higher education policy \u2013 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 the diverse strengths, ideas and perspectives of the University and its partners. One particularly innovative form of participation was the Unicorn Fund \u2013 an internal university competition whose winning project has now become part of the Excellence proposal. Staff from faculties, research institutions and central administration submitted a total of 35 project outlines featuring bold, practice-oriented and original ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of the proposal lies the ambition to rethink the University of Freiburg\u2019s identity for the 21st century, closely linking scientific inquiry closely with social responsibility. In an era marked by rapid transformation and uncertainty, the University sees it as one of its central tasks to contribute solution-oriented perspectives to social, economic and cultural developments \u2013 whether by addressing climate change, developing new medical therapies, or shaping cultural and digital transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposal is embedded within the University\u2019s \u2018UFR 2040\u2019 Future Agenda, which serves as a strategic compass for its long-term development in research, teaching, knowledge transfer, university culture and governance. Success in the Excellence Strategy competition would provide strong momentum for these endeavours. Alongside the universities that already hold the status of Universities of Excellence, Freiburg is the only university in the state of Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg eligible to submit a new proposal and receives strong support from the State Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts. \u2018Leading universities in research and innovation are of central importance to our society\u2019, says Minister Petra Olschowski<\/strong>. \u2018They play a decisive role in finding answers to the major questions of today and tomorrow. The University of Freiburg is an outstanding example of this \u2013 a beacon of excellence within our strong Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg science landscape.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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As part of the path towards Excellence status, an on-site visit will take place in early June 2026, during which the University will welcome an international panel of reviewers to Freiburg to present its Excellence Strategy and Future Agenda. On 2 October 2026, the Excellence Commission will announce which universities will be designated Universities of Excellence from 1 January 2027 onwards. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sparking Change That Matters – News<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tTransfer\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFrom Ideas to Solutions: How Freiburg\u2019s Research Makes an Impact\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tThe University of Freiburg aims to help solve the great challenges of our time with inter- and transdisciplinary research and is thus taking on responsibility for society.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tCluster of Excellence\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFuture Forests \u2013 How Can We Make Forests Fit for the Future?\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tOur forests are being damaged by climate change and species loss. The Cluster of Excellence Future Forests at the University of Freiburg will investigate strategies for confronting these threats.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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Funding Line: Clusters of Excellence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Clusters of Excellence funding line supports interdisciplinary research networks in internationally competitive fields of study. Criteria for a Cluster of Excellence include outstanding research performance, internationally recognised researchers, the high quality of the cluster\u2019s support structures and a strong and enabling university environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cluster of Excellence CIBSS \u2013 Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling Studies, funded since 2019, will be extended for a further seven years from 2026. In addition, since 1 January 2026, the new Cluster of Excellence Future Forests \u2013 Adapting Complex Social-Ecological Forest Systems to Global Change has been receiving funding at the University of Freiburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\u201cWith their research approaches, CIBSS and Future Forests address some of the most pressing questions of our time and will make significant contributions to solving them in the years ahead.\u201d\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tProf. Dr. Stefan Rensing\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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On October 2, 2026, the Science Council will announce its decision on which universities will receive excellence status in the Excellence Competition. The FAQs summarize the most important information about the excellence process at the University of Freiburg, the milestones achieved so far, and the upcoming site visit by an international group of experts in early June.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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