The Race for Elite Status: Four Potential Contenders in Lower Saxony's Excellence Initiative
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Four prestigious universities in Lower Saxony in competition for top spot - Multiple elite units in Lower Saxony vying for a potential position
Lower Saxony could potentially see up to four top-tier universities participating in the ongoing Excellence Initiative for Science. Before the decision on the so-called Excellence Clusters on May 22, TU Braunschweig, Leibniz University Hannover, Medical School Hannover, and University of Oldenburg are in the running, as explained by Science Minister Falko Mohrs. Two Excellence Clusters are the prerequisite to compete as an Excellence University in the subsequent round. Currently, no elite university dwells in the state.
This time around, Lower Saxony boasts nine research projects competing for the Excellence Clusters. Among them are six existing and three new potential Excellence Clusters. The evaluation over the coming week will determine the funding of these projects for the next seven years.
Across Germany, up to 70 clusters will be funded instead of the previous 57, Mohrs divulged. The SPD politician noted that the federal and state governments had reached an agreement on this. In the last round, a total of 98 applications were submitted.
Leading the Pack: Exceptional Research in Lower Saxony
Since February 2023, over one billion euros have been invested in science through the "Zukunft.Niedersachsen" program, according to the ministry. The primary funding source for this program is the dividends of VW shares that belong to the state, which flow to the Volkswagen Foundation. In 2023, a special dividend of around 576 million euros was added due to the Porsche IPO.
Mohrs highlighted heart patches grown from stem cells, more efficient solar cells, and AI-controlled robots for better harvesting as exemplary top research in Lower Saxony.
"We're operating at the pinnacle of science, and our aim is to increase our global visibility," said Georg Schütte, chairman of the Volkswagen Foundation.
Aiming High: Seeking at Least One Elite University
Shortly after taking office at the end of 2022, Mohrs announced, "We want to have at least one Excellence University in Lower Saxony." At the time, the minister added, "We are convinced that our robust universities can achieve this goal in the next application round in 2026."
- Lower Saxony
- Falko Mohr
- Hannover
- TU Braunschweig
- Medical School Hannover
[Note: While Leibniz University Hannover and TU Braunschweig are leading institutions in Lower Saxony, the current Excellence Initiative does not mention these universities as candidates for elite status. Nonetheless, they are in the running for possible Excellence Clusters.]
- Falko Mohrs, the Science Minister of Lower Saxony, aims to secure funding for a minimum of one Elite University within the state by 2026. This aspiration includes the potential candidates, Leibniz University Hannover and TU Braunschweig, seeking funding for Excellence Clusters in the upcoming evaluation.
- Community aid and vocational training could be instrumental in the education-and-self-development process for future scientists and researchers in Lower Saxony, fostering a distinctive identity in the global scientific community, as exemplified by the advanced research projects in fields such as stem cell heart patches, solar energy efficiency, and AI robotics.
