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Entscheidung im Evaluationsverfahren der Förderlinie Exzellenzuniversitäten der Exzellenzstrategie (refer to: Ten Universities of Excellence to receive continued funding)

Ten Universities of Excellence to receive continued funding

Decision in the evaluation process for the Universities of Excellence funding line

Learn more : Ten Universities of Excellence to receive continued funding

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English publications

Translating Prevention and Health Promotion into Action in Research, Health Care and Society | Position paper (Drs. 3003-26_en), January 2026 event Publication Date 02.02.2026 event Medicine

Demographic change, an increasing shortage of skilled workers, the growing burden of chronic diseases, and rising climate-related health risks create an urgent need to systematically strengthen prevention and health promotion in Germany. Despite high levels of health care spending, population health outcomes remain below expectations, as the health care system continues to focus predominantly on curative and medical interventions.

The German Science and Humanities Council therefore is advocating a health-related cultural change that recognizes prevention as a systemically relevant component and promotes closer integration of science, policymaking, health care, and society. Central priorities include intersectoral strategies consistent with a “Health in All Policies” approach, evidence-based decision-making supported by improved data infrastructures, strengthened health communication and health literacy, the expansion of scientific infrastructures for prevention research, and the effective use of interprofessional capacities. Financial and regulatory incentive structures are needed to establish prevention as a long-term investment.

The position paper identifies key interfaces at which science can interact effectively with politics, the health care system, and society to create health-promoting conditions, reduce health inequalities, and sustainably improve population health and quality of life. Read more

Report on the science-driven assessment of large research infrastructure projects for the national prioritisation process (Drs. 2836-25_en), October 2025 event Publication Date 03.11.2025 event Large-scale Research Infrastructures

At the request of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space BMFTR, the German Science and Humantities Council (WR) carried out a science-driven assessment of projects for large research infrastructures (RI) as part of a national prioritisation process. The aim was to recommend the most promising projects to the BMFTR for inclusion on a shortlist. The BMFTR included nine projects on the shortlist, which was published on 8 July 2025. At the request of the BMFTR, the mandated committee of the WR will evaluate the projects included on the shortlist individually and make recommendations for implementation to the respective responsible institutions of the projects and the BMFTR. For the further development and continuation of the process, the committee recommends that the BMFTR conduct the national prioritisation process on a regular basis. Read more

Personnel structures in the German academic system | Abstract (Drs. 2639-25_K_en), July 2025 event Publication Date 14.07.2025 event Career Paths

The position paper proposes a comprehensive transformation of personnel structures in the science system in order to create attractive, transparent and functionally differentiated job profiles and prospects. These prospects promote both the individual development of academic personnel and their international and intersectoral mobility, as well as institutional performance. In order to strengthen the German science system and make it fit for the future, a cultural change must be initiated to foster a new understanding of attractive careers in science beyond the professorship. Read more

Science and security in times of global political upheaval | Position paper (Drs. 2485-25_en), May 2025 event Publication Date 12.05.2025 event Science and Society

The rise of non-democratic forces and increasingly confrontational international relations are making the security policy dimension of science and humanities much more important. Scientists, scientific institutions, and politicians must work together to take responsibility for strengthening knowledge security. To this end, the German Science and Humanities Council proposes a tiered approach that limits the effort required and protects academic freedom. At the same time, it makes recommendations for better integrating the fragmented field of security-relevant research and for better realising the many possible contributions that science and humanities can make to the security and resilience of democratic societies. Read more

Additional Information

Initial assessment of the Universities of Excellence

What impact has funding under the Excellence Strategy had over the first seven years? The statements from the Committee of Experts provide an insight into the evaluation of the Universities of Excellence and University Excellence Consortia.

The results show how the institutions have used the funding as a lever for institutional change and strategic prioritisation. According to the international panel of experts, energy and resources have been used effectively and the targets set have been achieved – in some cases even exceeded.

Read the statements

Next-generation research infrastructures 

The German Science and Humanities Council recommends the prompt implementation of DALI, HBS-I and PETRA IV.

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