Today in Berlin, the Joint Science Conference (GWK) announced the key elements of the new initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German states for supporting top-level research at German universities (successor program of the Excellence Initiative). The President of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Professor Holger Hanselka, comments as follows:
“Today’s decision of the Joint Science Conference is a strong signal for top-level research in Germany. The Excellence Initiative has doubtlessly made the German science system more dynamic – its continuation will now boost German universities in international competition. We highly welcome the decision to support eight to eleven excellent universities in a second step, because Germany has far more than just two or three top universities. It also is a good and important step for German science that the new opportunities resulting from Article 91 b of the Federal Constitution are now used for the first time to permanently support universities.”
As regards the details of the funding program, Hanselka adds: “The decision of the Joint Science Conference to slow down the process and to allow an appropriate period of time to pass between the invitation and submission of proposals as well as to grant transitional funding to currently funded projects – all this brings calm into the system and will lead to elaborate proposals.”
A new instrument envisaged is the “university lump sum”. Institutions having acquired a cluster may be granted EUR 1 million per year for funding their strategic objectives as well as additional funds for further clusters. “This is long overdue. Only when universities and research institutions will develop smart strategies and when clear focuses are defined, will we be able to compete with the top institutions in the world,” Hanselka emphasizes.
By adopting the KIT 2025 Umbrella Strategy last year, KIT has already mapped out its future course for the next ten years. “KIT is well-positioned and we will seize the opportunities we have in competition.”
In close partnership with society, KIT develops solutions for urgent challenges – from climate change, energy transition and sustainable use of natural resources to artificial intelligence, sovereignty and an aging population. As The University in the Helmholtz Association, KIT unites scientific excellence from insight to application-driven research under one roof – and is thus in a unique position to drive this transformation. As a University of Excellence, KIT offers its more than 10,000 employees and 22,800 students outstanding opportunities to shape a sustainable and resilient future. KIT – Science for Impact.