University of Cologne is a University of Excellence!
In the last round of the Excellence Initiative Competition, the institutional strategy “Meeting the Challenge of Change and Complexity” has proved successful.
In addition, 2 Clusters of Excellence and 2 Graduate schools will be funded.
The Institutional Strategy “Meeting the Challenge of Change and Complexity"
The University of Cologne’s institutional strategy "Meeting the Challenge of Change and Complexity” aims at strengthening and further developing the university’s research profile, at establishing funding programmes for cutting edge research and at integrating new career-promoting structures and support measures. The concept also includes the further development of international research networks, exchange programmes and the promotion of Gender Equality.
The Cluster of Excellence CECAD
In an aging society, the Cluster of Excellence CECAD (Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases) researches the causes of the aging process and diseases associated with age such as neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease), diabetes, strokes, kidney failure or cancer. The cluster aims at developing common, new therapeutic approaches to treat these diseases. Within the so-called “translational research approach” unique to the cluster, CECAD is taking important steps towards that aim: CECAD is systematically transferring findings from basic research into clinical application, is establishing a new Chair for this main focus and is working intensely at expanding on the findings gained in the first funding period with additional clinical studies.
Further information
The Cluster of Excellence CEPLAS
Equally successful was the „Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences – from complex traits towards synthetic modules“ which develops innovative strategies for sustainable plant production. This cluster, which will be funded with 8 mio. Euro per year, is run by internationally renowned scientists from the Universities of Cologne and Düsseldorf, the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, and the Forschungszentrum Jülich. Plants sustain life on earth through the conversion of light energy, water and CO2 into chemical energy. The effects of global change and the continued world´s population growth lead to a reduction in the resources available for crop production such as arable farm land, water and nutrients. The scientists of CEPLAS aim to thoroughly understand the fundamental mechanisms involved in plant adaptation and the principles of resource efficient plant growth. They will gain access to these mechanisms through the analysis of natural and artificial genetic variation in four adaptive characteristics of the way how plants adapt to their environment. All four characteristics are suited to the professional competence of each of the participating institutions.
The a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne
The “a.r.t.e.s. Graduate School for the Humanities Cologne” is an inter-faculty graduate school funded from financial resources received by the Excellence Initiative. In future, it will be responsible for all doctoral work in the Arts and Humanities Faculty. To this end, the technical resources, research areas and fields of excellence of one Europe’s major Arts and Humanities faculties will be brought together and made available for structured doctoral studies, with special consideration of interdisciplinary issues. Establishing this integrated graduate school, which encompasses a Research Master as well as a research lab for the post doctoral phase, helps to meet the special challenges in the humanities.
The Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy
The “Bonn-Cologne Graduate School of Physics and Astronomy” also received funding. The school targets especially talented young scientists and builds on the complementing scientific profiles of the Universities of Cologne and Bonn. Its research focus is Particle and Nuclear Physics, Astrophysics as well as the area of Condensed Matter, Statistical Physics and Photonics. This graduate school also places a main focus on the integration of Master’s and PhD work under the British model. Because of its 5-year funding period, the graduate school integrates talented Master students into existing research groups and supervises them closely.
