DFG Announces Selection of Clusters of Excellence on 22 May

The decision on funding within the Excellence Strategy is decisive for the further development of joint top-level research in the Ruhr region. If enough clusters are approved, Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen will be able to jointly apply for the second funding line as an “Alliance of Excellence”. But even if this hurdle is not overcome, the decision in the Excellence Strategy will have an impact on the future cooperation of the UA Ruhr.

The UA Ruhr has reached the final round with applications for the following four Clusters of Excellence:

• RESOLV: Ruhr Explores Solvation - Understanding and Design of Solvent Controlled Processes
  In this cluster, scientists from Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University, together with colleagues from the University of Duisburg-Essen and other partners, are conducting research in the field of solvent chemistry with the aim of understanding, predicting and controlling solvation processes.

• CASA: Securing the Digital Society, IT security
  The CASA cluster aims to strengthen the indispensable security of our digital society in the long term. Ruhr University Bochum is the applicant university; scientists from the University of Duisburg-Essen are also involved.

• REASONS: River Ecosystems in the Anthroposcene - sustainable scientific SOlutioNS
  In this project, the University of Duisburg-Essen is planning to develop a new, sustainable concept for the management of water bodies with the participation of scientists from Ruhr University Bochum and other partners.

• Color meets Flavor
  In this project, researchers from TU Dortmund University, in cooperation with the University of Bonn, the University of Siegen and Forschungszentrum Jülich, want to search for new phenomena in the interaction of elementary particles.

In the evening, the presidents of the three universities will discuss the results of the Cluster of Excellence decisions and what they mean for the future of the alliance in a digital conference. On the podium are: Prof. Dr. Barbara Albert, Rector of the University of Duisburg-Essen, Prof. Dr. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University, and Prof. Dr. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum.

The digital event begins on 22 May 22 at 8 PM and is open to the university public. All interested members will have the opportunity to ask questions about the Excellence Strategy. The meeting will take place as a webinar in Zoom. Participation is possible via the following access link:

https://ruhr-uni-bochum.zoom-x.de/j/66256706865?pwd=UQ4R0xy7uV0BJbdJGinlPr6YS9C293.1
Webinar ID: 662 5670 6865
Code: 714365

The University Alliance Ruhr

Since 2007, the three universities in the Ruhr region have been working closely together strategically under the umbrella of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). By joining forces, the achievements of the partner universities are systematically expanded. Under the motto “better together”, there are now over 100 collaborations in research, teaching and administration. With more than 100,000 students and almost 14,000 academics, the UA Ruhr is one of the largest and most productive science locations in Germany.

Announcement of the DFG