The University of Cologne has once again demonstrated its research excellence, securing funding for five Clusters of Excellence in the latest round of Germany’s Excellence Strategy. This announcement was made today by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Science and Humanities Council. The Clusters CECAD (aging research), CEPLAS (plant sciences), DYNAVERSE (astrophysics), ECONtribute (economics), and ML4Q (quantum research) will receive funding for a seven-year period. Together, they represent the University’s strength across a diverse range of academic fields including the natural sciences, life sciences, humanities, and social sciences.

“We are thrilled that five of our proposals have been selected,” said Professor Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, Rector of the University of Cologne. “This outcome highlights the outstanding and impactful research being conducted by our scholars. I extend my sincere thanks to everyone involved in preparing the proposals, as well as to our partner institutions and the state of North Rhine-Westphalia for their invaluable support. For the proposal that was not selected, we remain committed to its continued development as a vital component of our research agenda.”

The Clusters of Excellence are embedded within the University’s Key Profile Areas, which align research with topics of high academic and societal relevance. These large, interdisciplinary research consortia operate at the highest international level.

Germany’s Excellence Strategy, jointly funded by the federal and state governments, aims to bolster the country’s role as a global leader in research and innovation. Securing at least two Clusters of Excellence qualifies the University of Cologne to apply for “University of Excellence” status in the second funding line. Following today’s results, the University will submit a letter of intent to the German Science and Humanities Council by 27 June 2025.

The University of Cologne’s Clusters of Excellence:
CECAD: Pioneering Research for Healthy Aging
The Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases (CECAD) explores the biological mechanisms of aging and related diseases. With demographic shifts driving an increase in chronic conditions, CECAD investigates how molecular and cellular changes contribute to diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, dementia, and skin disorders. The goal is to identify new strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy to promote healthy aging.
Future research will focus on how environment, gender, and genetics influence aging trajectories and disease susceptibility. The cluster brings together leading researchers from the University of Cologne, University Hospital Cologne, Max Planck Institutes (for Metabolism Research and for Biology of Ageing), and the German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).

CEPLAS: Innovative Plant Research for Sustainable Agriculture
The Cluster of Excellence on Plant Sciences (CEPLAS) investigates how plants adapt to environmental stressors, aiming to boost resilience and productivity. By understanding plant genetics and biochemistry, researchers develop solutions to global agricultural challenges, including food security and climate change.
In the next funding phase, CEPLAS will emphasize predicting traits that optimize plant performance under varying conditions, enabling innovative, sustainable agricultural strategies. The cluster includes researchers from the University of Cologne, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (host), the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research, the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, and Forschungszentrum Jülich.

DYNAVERSE: Exploring the Dynamic Universe
DYNAVERSE investigates how the Universe evolves across vastly different time scales, from microseconds to billions of years. By combining astronomy, mathematics, and computer science, researchers aim to link fast, transient events (like supernovae) with long-term cosmic developments.
Key research areas include "time-lapse astronomy" to piece together the long-term evolution of galaxies, "slow-motion astronomy" to study fast, impactful events, and identifying "cosmic twists" that shaped the early universe. Advanced AI and machine learning tools will help manage and interpret the massive datasets expected from upcoming radio telescopes like the Square Kilometer Array.
Partner institutions include the University of Bonn, the German Aerospace Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich, the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies, and the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy.

ECONtribute: Understanding and Shaping Markets in Crisis
The ECONtribute Cluster: Markets & Public Policy addresses major global challenges—financial crises, inequality, digital transformation, political polarization, and climate change. Around 150 interdisciplinary researchers study how individuals’ beliefs, expectations, and notions of fairness influence markets and public policy.
In the next phase, the cluster will delve deeper into how public policies can gain social acceptance and how economic systems can become more resilient in the face of crises. This is a joint initiative by the Universities of Bonn and Cologne, in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Research on Collective Goods, operating under the Reinhard Selten Institute.

ML4Q: Advancing Quantum Technology
The Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q) Cluster focuses on developing quantum computers that could revolutionize computing in areas like material science, pharmaceuticals, and AI. The research brings together expertise in solid-state physics, quantum optics, and quantum information to address key challenges in quantum hardware, software, and modular architectures.
The next funding phase will prioritize integrating quantum hardware with advanced software systems. The Cluster is led by the University of Cologne, in collaboration with the Universities of Bonn and Aachen, and Forschungszentrum Jülich. Additional partners include Freie Universität Berlin, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Ruhr University Bochum, Paderborn University, and the University of Siegen.

Source: https://uni-koeln.de/en/university/news/news/news-detail/great-success-the-university-of-cologne-is-granted-five-clusters-of-excellence