Exzellenzstrategie

Exzellenzstrategie is a German federal and state (Länder) program designed to promote top-level research within universities and higher education institutions. It aims to strengthen Germany’s international scientific standing by providing long-term, competitive funding for centers of excellence and for the strategic development of universities.

The program operates on two funding pillars. Clusters of Excellence (Exzellenzcluster) are interdisciplinary research centers that involve collaboration across multiple institutions. Institutional Strategies (Institutionelle Strategien) provide funding to enhance the overall research environment, governance, and strategic development of individual universities. Proposals are submitted by universities or consortia and are selected through a competitive process coordinated by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) in cooperation with the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Funding is typically awarded for a fixed period, commonly seven years, with potential renewals following external evaluation.

The Exzellenzstrategie is part of Germany’s broader science policy framework and is intended to improve international visibility, attract and retain leading researchers, strengthen the training of early-career scientists, and support innovative research infrastructures and networks. The initiative builds on its predecessor, the Exzellenzinitiative (2005–2017), and emphasizes sustainable excellence rather than one-off project funding. Evaluation is conducted by independent experts, with success measured by scientific quality, impact, and structural enhancement of participating institutions.

Critics have raised concerns about creating a two-tier system that may favor historically stronger universities and widen disparities with smaller institutions. Proponents argue that the funding can catalyze transformative research and bolster Germany’s innovation ecosystem.