Ruhr Innovation Lab Reviewed

From 19 to 21 May, a panel of international scientists was on campus to inspect the “Ruhr Innovation Lab”. Under this title, TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum have jointly applied in the Excellence Strategy of the federal government and the states. Their shared goal is to create freedom for new research ideas and to foster networks for a future-proof society. The common research areas are united by the mission to secure prosperity, enable trust in the digital age and safeguard the values of our democracy.

The written application had already been submitted in November. During the three-day on-site visit, the reviewers had the opportunity to ask a wide range of questions. They met not only with university management, researchers, and students from both universities, but also with partners from academia, industry, and politics. More than 300 participants were involved in preparing the program, which the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR) requires all locations to provide for evaluation. This included tours to the research areas as well as discussions with the university councils or interviews with undergraduates.

During the on-site visit, the Rectors, Prof. Martin Paul (left) and Prof. Manfred Bayer, presented the Ruhr Innovation Lab. Here is a photo from the dress rehearsal.

“The connection between our two universities has grown even stronger in recent months,” says Prof. Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University. “The Ruhr Innovation Lab is not just a proposal on paper; the integration is already a reality. We want to continue on this path.” Prof. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, adds: “We thank all members and partners who contributed to the intensive preparation. The team spirit and enthusiasm were clearly tangible, and this will shape our collaboration in the future.”

The two universities have been collaborating within the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) for nearly twenty years together with the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). The Ruhr Innovation Lab is intended to take the collaboration to a new level: for example, joint research priorities will be further developed systematically, pilot departments will coordinate appointments and course offerings, and research equipment can be shared via a booking system. Measures that prove successful in this experimental space can later be transferred to the alliance with the UDE.

About the Excellence Strategy

Universities that had acquired a sufficient number of Clusters of Excellence by spring 2025 were eligible to apply for the title of University of Excellence or University Consortium of Excellence. The application requires a strategic concept to strengthen structural renewal capacity. This encompasses both cutting-edge research and other aspects such as knowledge transfer, diversity, or international connections. Up to 28 million euros per year can be requested for the measures. The Ruhr Innovation Lab is competing against ten other new candidates. Up to five can receive funding, as ten defending titleholders have already been successful. The decision will be announced on 2 October. Funding will start in January 2027 for an initial period of seven years.

About the Ruhr Innovation Lab

Impressions around the on-site visit:

TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum are jointly applying as the “Ruhr Innovation Lab” in the Excellence Strategy of the federal government and the states.
A panel of international scientists was on campus to evaluate the “Ruhr Innovation Lab.” This is a photo from the dress rehearsal before the on-site visit.
The reviewers had the opportunity to discuss the four posters with various members of both universities. Pictured here are Prof. Nele McElvany, Vice President Research at TU Dortmund University (in the foreground) as well as Bianca Schumacher from the Corporate Center University Development and Organization (left), and Prof. Kornelia Freitag, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at the Ruhr University Bochum, during the dress rehearsal.
The Rectorates of both universities work closely together. From left to right: Professor Wiebke Möhring (Vice President Academic Affairs, TU Dortmund University), Professor Nele McElvany (Vice President Research, TU Dortmund University), Professor Isolde Karle (Vice-Rector for Diversity, Inclusion and Talent Development, RUB), Professor Tessa Flatten (Vice President International Affairs, TU Dortmund University), Professor Martin Paul (Rector Ruhr University Bochum), Professor Kornelia Freitag (Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, RUB), Professor Gerhard Schembecker (Vice President Finance, TU Dortmund University),Dr. Achim Dilling (Chancellor Ruhr University Bochum), Professor Manfred Bayer (President TU Dortmund University), Markus Neuhaus (Chancellor TU Dortmund University), Professor Petra Wiederkehr (Vice President Diversity, TU Dortmund University), Professor Günther Meschke (Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer, RUB), and Professor Achim von Keudell (Vice-Rector for Structure and Planning, RUB).
Roughly 300 people were involved in organizing the on-site visit and were delighted with the successful event afterward.
The unicorn was used as a symbol of out-of-the-box thinking.

Podcast „Think.Try.Transform.“

The podcast “Think. Try. Transform.” showcases the major ideas behind the joint application of Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University as university consortium of excellence. In June, there will be a special episode featuring audience questions for the two rectors, Prof. Manfred Bayer and Prof. Martin Paul. Questions can be submitted until May 31 via email to : hochschulkommunikation@ruhr-uni-bochum.de.

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