Six projects in Saxony aiming for excellence within the research initiative - Six cutting-edge research endeavors, backed by the Excellence Initiative, are currently being pursued in Saxony.
ция, Saxony, Secures Seven Research Projects in Excellence Initiative
Six research clusters in Saxony have secured a spot in the Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments, or have remained within it, for the 2026-2032 funding period. The five projects from the Technical University of Dresden (TU Dresden) and one project from the University of Leipzig are among the 70 nationwide projects that will receive financing for the next seven years, as announced by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Science Council in Bonn. Two projects from both institutions were not selected.
In Dresden, the TU Dresden successfully submitted full applications for its ongoing research clusters: "Physics of Life," "Complexity and Topology in Quantum Materials," and "Center for Tactile Internet." Two new projects in Dresden include "REC²," which aims to develop the scientific foundation for future electronics, emphasizing sustainable and resource-conscious production, and "Care," which focuses on climate-neutral and efficient construction in collaboration with RWTH Aachen.
The University of Leipzig's Center for Metabolism also benefits from the Excellence Initiative, with a focus on understanding diseases associated with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus, fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases.
First launched in 2016, the Excellence Strategy aims to support and strengthen top-tier research at German universities and colleges, enhancing Germany's visibility in international competition. With an annual budget of around 539 million euros, each cluster can expect an annual funding of 8 to 10 million euros, with the states contributing a quarter of the funds. A total of 98 applications were submitted by 47 universities across Germany for the current Excellence Initiative period.
In the context of ongoing initiatives, Dresden is focusing on advancing electronics and technology, with projects like the REC² Cluster, Infineon's new semiconductor fab, and a PhD in Digital Accelerator Design for Deep Learning and Neuromorphic Computing. These projects emphasize energy-efficient AI hardware, semiconductor fabrication, and innovative electronic platforms, which may align with the interests in machine learning and future electronics.
- The Community policy in Saxony could emphasize the importance of education-and-self-development,’ specifically vocational training, as evidenced by the seven research projects in the Excellence Initiative that focus on various aspects of electronics, physics of life, and metabolic disorders, thereby fostering advancements in science, technology, and health-and-wellness.
- In line with the education-and-self-development sector, the emphasis on vocational training could extend to health-and-wellness, as the planning for climate-neutral and efficient construction, such as the "Care" project in Dresden, provides opportunities for vocational training in green building practices and technology, addressing medical-conditions related to energy efficiency and sustainability.
- Technology advancements in the vocational training sector, as seen in Dresden's focus on electronics, could also encompass health-and-wellness by integrating technology into medical-conditions management and treatment, such as wearables or telemedicine devices, thereby promoting the adoption of technology in the health-and-wellness sector.
