Close cooperation because 2007
Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen established the University Alliance Ruhr in 2007 to utilize synergies in research, teaching and administration along with various cross-cutting topics. To strengthen joint innovative research, they founded four joint Research Centers and a College in 2021, in which around 50 brand-new professorships are being produced. Thanks to the culture of cooperation, the universities in the Ruhr region were also effective in the most recent phase of the Excellence Method and protected 3 Clusters of Excellence for financing from 2026. This result makes it possible to use in the upcoming 2nd funding line as a “University Consortium of Excellence.”
“Our wanted outcome would have been to use as a trio in the second funding line and to be able to additional develop our enduring cooperation as an alliance,” says Prof. Martin Paul, President of Ruhr University Bochum. Nevertheless, the Clusters of Quality approved in May do not allow for this constellation. Rather, there were alternatives for private applications or an alliance of two. “We chose to make the most of the staying opportunity for our alliance and contend in the Excellence Technique with a bilateral collaboration,” states Prof. Manfred Bayer, President of TU Dortmund University. “The University Alliance Ruhr makes the Ruhr region one of the leading science hubs in Germany,” says Teacher Barbara Albert, President of the University of Duisburg-Essen. “It is excellent that our two neighboring universities can demonstrate in the quality competition the leading level at which we carry out research, teach, and study together– and, above all, how we establish ingenious ideas through partnership.”
Joint journey continues
The University Alliance Ruhr will continue its cooperation in all locations. Beyond the Quality Technique which promotes innovative research study, there is possible to broaden mentor through complementary offerings, to form collaborations in transfer or to collectively digitize administrative processes.
Next actions in the Excellence Method
In the 2nd funding line of the Quality Method, applications as a “University of Quality” or “University Consortium of Quality” can be sent until 12 November 2025. Ten title holders are in the running as well as 10 other prospects across the country in addition to Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University. From 2027, approximately 15 Universities of Excellence or University Consortia of Quality will be funded. They need to persuade with a general method that improves their positioning in the global research study environment. Above all, effective management structures are required to guarantee the capacity for institutional renewal.
More info on the Excellence Method