Bremen and Oldenburg bundle forces for excellence universities!

Bremen and Oldenburg bundle forces for excellence universities!

Bremen, Deutschland - The universities of Bremen and Oldenburg are on a promising path to the future of research. On June 27, 2025, they submitted a significant declaration of intent to the Science Council, which aims to enjoy the federal and nationwide excellence strategy. This would mean that the two universities could receive annual funding of 15 to 28 million euros from 2027 if they successfully draw up and submit the application by November 12, 2025. The decision about this application is pending in October 2026 and the pressure is high because at least three approved clusters of excellence are necessary to apply as excellence universities. On May 22, 2025, both universities managed to get four clusters of excellence, which gives them a decisive advantage.

A strong team from the rectors Prof. Jutta Günther (University of Bremen) and Prof. Dr. Ralph Bruder (University of Oldenburg) as well as the Minister of Science Falko Mohrs and Senator for Science Kathrin Moosdorf plays a central role in this initiative. The close cooperation between the two universities, which has existed for decades and forms a common scientific identity, was actively supported by Lower Saxony. The ministers and university lines met on June 21, 2025 to plan strategic steps. This shows that both institutions not only have a strong research infrastructure, but also have great ideas to bundle innovative research strengths.

The excellence clusters in detail

The four approved excellence clusters, which are funded for seven years from January 1, 2026, cover a wide range of research fields:

• Hearing4all.Connects (hearing research)
• Mars perspective (material and production research)
• navisense (ternavigation research)
• Ocean floor (marine research)

But what is behind these research fields? The "Navisense" cluster examines how animals navigate over large distances. The aim is to transfer these findings into technical applications, with physical, biochemical and physiological processes, as well as quantum mechanical phenomena. At the same time, the “Hearing4all” cluster is researched by solutions for people with hearing impairments, including through the use of AI and medical innovations.

key data for excellence strategy

The excellence strategy, which was introduced in 2016, has set itself the goal of supporting top research at German universities. It not only promotes top scientific achievements, but also sharpens the profile formation of the universities and strives for better networking in the science system. The funding takes place in two lines: Cluster of Excellence, which support internationally competitive research fields, and excellence universities that are strengthened on the basis of these clusters. Let's take a look at the numbers:

From 2027, up to 15 universities of excellence will be funded, an increase compared to the previous funding phase. The federal government and the federal states provide 208 million euros annually, which corresponds to an increase of 60 million euros.

The decision on the new cluster of excellence and universities is made by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Council of Science based on scientific quality. The excellence strategy will continue to help to strengthen and make the science location Germany in international competition. Together, the universities of Bremen and Oldenburg take a successful path to Excellence.

For more information on the current developments, it is worth taking a look at the Senate press office Bremen Nordwest-Allianz and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research.