Bremen and Oldenburg: Together on the way to the Excellence University!

Bremen and Oldenburg: Together on the way to the Excellence University!

Oldenburg, Deutschland - The universities of Bremen and Oldenburg want to apply for the status of an excellence university. Today, on June 27, 2025, a corresponding declaration of intent was submitted to the Science Council. Both universities thus set a clear sign that they want to further strengthen their research skills and international reputation. By 2027, four new universities of excellence are available nationwide, which can expect funding between 15 and 28 million euros per year. It is all the more obvious that the universities from Lower Saxony - in addition to Bremen and Oldenburg, the Leibniz University of Hanover and the Hannover Medical School have also registered their ambitions in the coming months.

was that all? Not at all! The tender documents for the second round of competition in the Excellence Strategy will be published on March 28, 2024, which marks the start of the application process. Up to four other universities or university associations can be included in the exquisite circle of universities of excellence, which is why the excitement among the Lower Saxony universities is great. The decision of the Excellence Commission on the Excellence Cluster of Excellence was already made on May 22, 2025.

excellence strategy in the focus

The excellence strategy was launched in 2016 to promote top research at German universities and to strengthen Germany in international competition. The basic principle is the strengthening of universities and the promotion of networking within the science system. The strategy builds on the Excellence Initiative from 2007 to 2017 and wants to help universities to remain internationally competitive. Specifically, there are two funding lines: Cluster of Excellence and Excellence Universities. Only institutions involved in at least two clusters of excellence may apply for the status of an excellence university.

The current second round of the excellence strategy not only means competition, but also teamwork. In this way, universities can make joint applications. In order to be approved as a network, at least three clusters of excellence must be funded. This shows how important cooperation and networking are in order to form a strong foundation in research.

future developments

The time process for the second phase of the excellence strategy has already been determined. If the project bears fruit, from 2027 the funding for the newly recorded excellence universities and clusters will be heralded. It will be exciting to see which of the participating universities has a good knack for the application and the scientific commission is convincing. The first commissions will evaluate the new applications by early October 2026.

The Excellence Commission consists of 39 experts, including ministries and scientists, whereby the scientific perspective is always in the foreground. The selection process is based on the scientific quality of the submitted applications and is assessed by international experts. This is crucial for the future visibility and reputation of the excellent universities.

The excellence strategy is therefore a proven instrument that is supposed to bring both universities and the research landscape in Germany. A lot is happening here in Lower Saxony, and you can be curious to see how the developments of the coming months will develop. Having ahead can make the decisive difference.

Further information about the excellence strategy and the process can be found on the websites of Buten and inland, Science Council and BMBF .