Press Release 156/2011

KIT and Heidelberg University Cooperate

Establishment of the “Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership“ as a Joint Scientific Institution
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The cooperation agreement is signed by Prof. Bernhard Eitel (Rector, Heidelberg University), Prof. Detlef Löhe (Vice President Research and Information, KIT), Prof. Horst Hippler (President, KIT) (from left to right). (Photo: Heidelberg University)

Today (October 27, 2011), Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Heidelberg University have agreed on a partnership for strategic cooperation in research in order to intensify successful collaboration in certain fields of research by establishing a joint scientific institution, the “Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership“. The corresponding framework agreement was signed in Heidelberg by the President of KIT, Professor Horst Hippler, and the Rector of Ruperto Carola, Professor Bernhard Eitel.

As was explained by Professor Eitel, it is aimed at pooling specific competences of scientists of Heidelberg University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology to reach a critical mass for internationally visible top research in groundbreaking fields of work. “For the ‘Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership‘, we will build strategic bridges in four areas in order to achieve maximum potential synergies of both institutions,” said Professor Hippler.

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Heidelberg University have already been cooperating successfully for years in various areas. “Both partners will now combine their different orientations for mutual enrichment and complement their portfolio”, as outlined in the agreement signed. With the “Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership“, Ruperto Carola and KIT want to enhance and further extend their cooperation in an institutionalized form.

Strategic bridges are established between the research areas of Organic Electronics and Synthetic Biology. In addition, central issues of nature, engineering, and society will be covered. It will be focused on Technology Assessment and Medicine and Technology for Health Care and in particular on Translational Medical Engineering. Another defined task is the intensified promotion of young scientists.


The “Heidelberg Karlsruhe Research Partnership“ will be managed by a joint Board of Directors and supported by a Research Board. After a setup phase until February 2012, it is planned to initiate first projects from May 2012.

Being “The Research University in the Helmholtz Association”, KIT creates and imparts knowledge for the society and the environment. It is the objective to make significant contributions to the global challenges in the fields of energy, mobility, and information. For this, about 9,800 employees cooperate in a broad range of disciplines in natural sciences, engineering sciences, economics, and the humanities and social sciences. KIT prepares its 22,300 students for responsible tasks in society, industry, and science by offering research-based study programs. Innovation efforts at KIT build a bridge between important scientific findings and their application for the benefit of society, economic prosperity, and the preservation of our natural basis of life. KIT is one of the German universities of excellence.

lg, 27.10.2011
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Fax: +49 721 608-41150
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