TU Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt and University of Mainz will be funded as an Excellence Cluster from 2027 onwards
A major success for Darmstadt as a center of science and the entire Rhine-Main region: The Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) will receive substantial funding starting in 2027 as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The university consortium comprises the Technical University of Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz.
This places the three universities among the twelve individual universities and three university alliances nationwide to receive this award. The funding is intended to further develop the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main region into an internationally leading location for research, teaching, and innovation.
For TU Darmstadt, the decision means a strengthening of its scientific cooperation with its partner universities in Frankfurt and Mainz.
Expand joint research by 2033
The successful application from the Rhine-Main universities is entitled “RMU-EXCITE – Excellent. Collaborative. Transformative.” It represents a joint development strategy for the years 2027 to 2033.
The focus is on promoting scientific excellence, closer collaboration between different disciplines, and supporting young scientists.
Plans include joint appointments, the expansion of research infrastructure, and the development of new study programs. Furthermore, additional funding opportunities will be created for researchers in early career stages and for future leaders.
Another goal is to better connect scientific findings with societal challenges. To this end, universities intend to intensify their exchange with business, politics, and the public.
TU President Tanja Brühl speaks of great success
The president of TU Darmstadt and acting spokesperson of the Rhine-Main universities, Professor Tanja Brühl, welcomes the decision.
“Today’s decision to award us funding as an Excellence Cluster is an outstanding success for our alliance,” explains Brühl.
She particularly emphasizes the collaboration between the three universities. Their different scientific focuses and areas of expertise are to be even more closely linked in the future.
“As RMU, we are convinced: Together we can achieve more,” emphasizes the TU President.
The RMU-EXCITE program aims to make the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main science region more internationally visible and to further increase its attractiveness for researchers, students and innovative companies.
Cooperation across national borders
The Rhine-Main universities have been working closely together for about ten years. This new funding is intended to significantly expand this cooperation.
Professor Georg Krausch, President of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, describes the award as the result of the joint commitment of numerous scientists and staff. It opens up new opportunities for research, study, and teaching.
Professor Enrico Schleiff, President of Goethe University Frankfurt, also sees the decision as a confirmation of the chosen path.
The three universities could combine their different strengths even more effectively in the future. This should create new fields of research and allow scientific findings to be used more effectively for social and economic development.
Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate support the network
A special feature of the Rhine-Main universities is their cross-state collaboration. The joint research network is supported by two German states, Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.
Both countries provided political support for the bid and created the conditions for long-term cooperation.
Hesse's Science Minister Timon Gremmels speaks of a historic success. The Rhine-Main universities are the first universities in Hesse to receive this title within the framework of the Excellence Strategy, and at the same time the first cross-state Excellence Alliance.
“With the millions in funding and the prestige of the Excellence Strategy, the Technical University of Darmstadt, the Goethe University Frankfurt and the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz will become an international hotspot for research and innovation,” explains Gremmels.
Clemens Hoch, the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Science, also welcomed the decision. The funding provides the consortium with planning security for the next seven years and opens up new development opportunities.
Significance for Darmstadt as a center of science
The award gives TU Darmstadt additional opportunities to further develop its research together with its partner universities.
The funding is intended to open up new perspectives, particularly where scientists from different disciplines and universities collaborate. This includes joint research projects, new study programs, and improved conditions for early-career researchers.
For the entire Rhine-Main region, this decision is also a recognition of its scientific excellence. The three universities intend to use their collaboration to gain greater international recognition and to provide new impetus for science, business, and society in the long term.
(DARMSTADT – RED/TU Darmstadt)
Featured image: TU Darmstadt
