ExzellenzStärken: State supports cutting-edge research at TU Braunschweig MWK funding commitment of four million euros for preparation of the Excellence Strategy
The Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) wants to support universities in their application for the next round of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments with the “ExzellenzStärken” programme. Minister Björn Thümler announced on 28 April that Technische Universität Braunschweig was able to impress with its concept and received a recommendation for funding under the programme.
At the end of December 2021, TU Braunschweig submitted a concept for strengthening the university in the next round of the Excellence Strategy, which was discussed by the Scientific Commission (WKN) together with international experts in March and recommendations were drawn up. Based on these recommendations, TU Braunschweig will receive the maximum funding of four million euros. In addition to new cluster initiatives, TU Braunschweig is aiming for a continuation of the two current Excellence Clusters SE2A and QuantumFrontiers.
“We are pleased with the results of the independent review and in particular with the positive assessment of the two existing clusters of excellence in aeronautics and quantum research. Together with our partners such as LU Hannover, DLR and PTB, we intend to apply for a continuation of the clusters in a second funding period,” says Prof. Peter Hecker, Vice President for Research and Early Career Scientists at TU Braunschweig. In addition, the extent to which a further cluster in the area of the future city – also in cooperation with other universities – can be brought into the running is now being further examined. “In any case, the conditions look excellent.”
The funding will primarily be used to strengthen the starting position in the next round of calls for proposals in the Excellence Strategy. This includes broadening the research portfolio in the relevant areas, e.g. through junior research groups, but also especially measures to improve cross-sectional dimensions such as equality and diversity, internationalisation, digitisation and transfer. Concrete investments are also being made in the active recruitment of excellent researchers with international experience.
Programme to support the preparation for excellence
The state of Lower Saxony is supporting Lower Saxony’s universities in their preparations for the round of the Excellence Strategy starting in 2026 with a total of 24 million euros. The MWK’s “ExzellenzStärken” funding programme was launched to build on Lower Saxony’s success in the last round of the Excellence Strategy. The next important deadline is 15 December 2022, when the German Research Foundation (DFG) will publish the call for “Excellence Cluster Outlines”. These outlines must be submitted within the framework of the “Excellence Cluster” funding line by 31 May 2023.
Two clusters at TU Braunschweig
Two research clusters at TU Braunschweig are being funded for seven years as of 2019 as part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments. The interdisciplinary research project “SE²A – Sustainable and Energy Efficient Aviation” develops technologies for sustainable and energy-efficient aviation. “QuantumFrontiers” explores the limits of the measurable using quantum and nanotechnology and is a joint project of the Science Alliance of TU Braunschweig and LUH in close cooperation with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB).
