“Our vision is to improve research study in a manner that allows new ideas to flourish and protects prosperity and values of our society, even in times of worldwide disruption,” explains Prof. Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum. “Together with partners in the Ruhr region, in Germany, and worldwide, we intend to establish an environment that will bring this vision to life,” says Prof. Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University. The 2 surrounding universities share a founding function: to further drive the structural change of the Ruhr region from the heart of the coal and steel industry to a knowledge hub. The joint application in the Quality Strategy brings this mission into the future and beyond the borders of the area.
In May 2025, the two universities had gotten approved for the ongoing round of the Excellence Method by obtaining 3 Clusters of Quality. Thanks to their long-standing cooperation in the University Alliance Ruhr, TU Dortmund University and Ruhr University Bochum have strong inter-university structures in research study and transfer to build on in their joint application. These include, in particular, the four Research Centers and the College, which were founded in 2021 together with the University of Duisburg-Essen to strengthen global innovative research study in the Ruhr area with 50 new professorships. The closely integrated start-up assistance provided by the BRYCK Start-up Alliance is among the very best in Germany, as verified in July by its choice as one of Germany’s ten start-up factories.
The 2 universities have actually now signed a cooperation agreement for bilateral cooperation in the “Ruhr Development Laboratory,” which defines a brand-new inter-university organization. Together, the universities have 875 professorships, 6,400 scientists, and 63,000 students. By integrating their strengths, the 2 partners are currently particularly strong in locations such as sustainable chemistry, reliable IT systems, unique products, and the nature of matter. Additional fields are to be collectively developed and expanded. The reciprocal interaction in between ideas from research and societal obstacles is guided by the motto “Think. Try. Transform.” The brand-new “Ruhr Innovation Lab” website describes the broad structure on which the consortium can base its vision.
On 13 November, the rectors described the concept for the joint application in a town hall meeting open to all members of the universities.
About the Quality Technique
In the second financing line of the Excellence Method, universities can get moneying either separately as a University of Quality or jointly as a Consortium of Excellence. The precondition is the acquisition of an adequate number of Clusters of Quality. In the present round, ten of the eleven defending victor in addition to eleven new candidates are contending, consisting of the “Ruhr Innovation Laboratory.” For the duration 2027-2033, as much as 15 candidates will be funded. For the very first time in the history of the Quality Competition, funding is intended to be irreversible, contingent on effective assessments every 7 years. The funding quantity depends on EUR28 million annually. A general principle is needed for the tactical further development of advanced research study that likewise anchors the institution’s capability for renewal. Applications will be evaluated in writing and through on-site visits. Decisions will be made in early October 2026.
Ruhr Innovation Laboratory
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