Six research projects, upholding Saxon excellence, granted as part of the Initiative - Six research projects in Saxony advanced under the Excellence Initiative, receiving additional funding for continued innovative work in their respective fields.
Saxony's elite research landscape has secured six projects in the Excellence Initiative, a joint undertaking by the federal and state governments. These projects, five from the TU Dresden and one from the University of Leipzig, have been chosen among 70 nationwide projects to receive funding for seven years, starting 2026. Two projects from both universities did not make the cut.
The TU Dresden's ongoing research clusters—focused on "Physics" of Life, "Complexity and Topology in Quantum Materials", and "Center for Tactile Internet"—have retained their spots, while two new clusters have been added:
1) REC² targets the development of sustainable and resource-efficient electronics for the future, with a cooperative effort with RWTH Aachen.2) The "Care" project concentrates on climate-neutral and efficient construction.
At the University of Leipzig, the Center for Metabolism has been funded to investigate metabolic disorders, the root cause of serious health issues such as diabetes mellitus, fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases.
The ongoing Excellence Strategy, implemented since 2016, aims to bolster top-tier research at German universities and elevate Germany's science profile in international competition. The selection process is overseen by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the Science Council in Bonn. To qualify for funds, a total of 98 applications were submitted by 47 German universities, with 539 million euros earmarked for annual funding. Each selected cluster can expect an annual funding sum ranging from 8 to 10 million euros, with the states bearing the 25% share of the cost, and the funding term being seven years.
Incorporating the latest advancements in electronics and AI research, the REC² Cluster of Excellence in Dresden aims to create a scientific foundation for future electronics by developing new material platforms, innovative component concepts, and integrated systems for sustainable, economically, and socially viable solutions [1][2]. With expertise in nine different disciplines, this project addresses the pressing global challenge of responsible electronics in the face of climate change, positioning Dresden at the vanguard of sustainable electronics research and technology. Additionally, a new AI chip developed at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has been produced in Dresden, featuring hyperdimensional computing and aiming to reduce energy consumption for decentralized use in the future [4].
- The Community policy in Germany encourages education-and-self-development through the support of projects like REC² Cluster of Excellence in Dresden, which focuses on vocational training in electronics and AI research for sustainable, resource-efficient electronics.
- The Center for Metabolism at the University of Leipzig provides vocational training in health-and-wellness, addressing medical-conditions such as diabetes mellitus, fatty liver, and cardiovascular diseases, to contribute to the science of metabolic disorders.
- The Excellence Initiative, a joint effort by the federal and state governments, supports technological advancements in fields like electronics and AI (technology), with a focus on education-and-self-development and health-and-wellness, aiming to bolster Germany's science profile in international competition.
