TU Dortmund University Sets its Sights on European Research Area
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EU funding programs are a key driver of international networking and the visibility of research: They facilitate international research collaborations and access to excellent interdisciplinary research. At the same time, they foster knowledge and technology transfer on the European level. To make even better use of this potential, the university’s “EU Research Strategy 2026–2030” bundles measures in three action areas – Projects, People, Policy – that have already been implemented, are currently in the implementation phase or are planned for the future.
Targeted assistance with EU projects for researchers
EU project funding plays a special role in the strategy, which is why researchers are to receive even greater assistance in their efforts to secure and implement EU projects. To this end, TU Dortmund University is continuously augmenting its portfolio of advisory and support services for researchers throughout the entire project cycle. EU project scouting for the early identification of suitable funding opportunities is one of the measures currently being developed. Already in place are institutional co-funding for successfully acquired ERC Starting and Consolidator Grants and financial support for researchers applying for collaborative EU projects in a coordinating role.
Strengthening TU Dortmund University as an international place of research
Another strategic objective is to make TU Dortmund University more attractive and visible as a place of research for international researchers. To this end, the university is expanding its range of events with a European focus. Researchers’ career development is to be aligned more closely with European standards. Other measures are aimed specifically at international researchers, such as an internationally oriented recruitment strategy to attract outstanding international researchers to TU Dortmund University.
Actively co-shaping Europe
Apart from participating in research projects, TU Dortmund University wants to further expand its role in the European Research Area at the strategic level, too. To this end, it is intensifying its involvement in European networks, partnerships and governance processes in order to identify developments in European research funding at an early stage and to play an active role in shaping research policy.
One of the first steps in this context is the nomination of a contact person for EU affairs on the level of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). In addition, there are also plans to provide greater support in the future in order to increase researchers’ participation in European advisory committees and stakeholder processes, to create a central knowledge repository for international research activities and to further expand international research collaborations.
“We view EU funding programs as a key driver of international scientific collaboration,” says Nele McElvany, Vice President Research at TU Dortmund University. “They enable us to advance interdisciplinary research, play an active role in shaping European networks and anchor our strong position over the longer term in an open, knowledge-based scientific community in Europe.”
The strategy as a living document
TU Dortmund University’s “EU Research Strategy” builds on its “Research Strategy 2023–2027” and its “Internationalization Strategy”. It was developed by the Office of Research Support Services together with the Vice Rectorate Research and the Vice Rectorate International Affairs. The results of a strategy workshop in February 2026 with representatives from research, administration, the departments and various groups of university members were also incorporated in the document.
In the implementation of this strategy, TU Dortmund University is also building on its collaboration with the other two universities in the Ruhr region and the structures and formats jointly developed with Ruhr University Bochum within the Ruhr Innovation Lab. Suitable measures related to European research funding will be explored and implemented together. The possibility of implementing measures together within the Ruhr University Alliance will also be examined.
The strategy is designed as a living document to be further developed and updated, especially with a view to the 10th EU Framework Program for Research and Innovation (FP10) planned for 2028 onwards.
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