Final Phase of the Excellence Initiative
The Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments aims to promote top-level research at universities, raising their international profile. The competition is open to all German universities and is run by the German Research Foundation and the German Council of Science and Humanities.
Funding is available for Graduate Schools, Clusters of Excellence, and Institutional Strategies. Phase 1 of the scheme, which ends in 2012, had a budget of 1.9 billion euro, and phase 2 (the deadline for applications was September, 1st 2011), has a funding volume of 2.7 billion euro for the period up to 2017.
Funding Line 1
Graduate Schools
Graduate Schools provide an excellent research environment for structured doctoral training. The schools serve as an instrument of quality assurance in training early career researchers, help to raise the profile of research conducted, and should encompass a wide range of research areas.
Funding Line 2
Clusters of Excellence
Clusters of Excellence consolidate the research strength of universities, non-academic research facilities, and industrial partner institutions in research areas of particular interest for the future.
Funding Line 3
Institutional Strategies
Institutional Strategies strengthen universities as a whole. In creating an Institutional Strategy, universities develop long-term strategic policies, set priorities, and raise their profile. In order to receive support from this funding line, a university must be successful at least once in each of the other two funding lines.
Funding Line 1
RUB-Research School plus
RUB was selected for funding in the very first round of the Excellence Initiative for its university-wide interdisciplinary Graduate School, the RUB Research School (RUB-RS), which will continue to develop post-2012 with funding from all 20 RUB faculties.
As part of its proposal within this phase, called RUB Research School plus, RUB is planning to create a funding scheme to support the best early career researchers. The most creative doctoral candidates will thus be able to receive funds, e.g. for project-related research visits abroad or to attend international conferences. There are also plans to offer special support for doctoral candidates who are parents-to-be.
Funding Line 2
Cluster RESOLV
With 18 major international collaborative agreements in place, the proposed Cluster of Excellence RESOLV (Ruhr Explores Solvation, Speaker: Professor Martina Havenith-Newen) sets an example for an International Research Campus.
The Cluster investigates chemical reactions and industrial or biological processes in the liquid phase (in solution). Researchers view solvent molecules as functional units playing an active role in solvent-mediated and controlled reactions. A profound understanding of solvation is needed to develop vital key technologies, e.g. for the prevention of environmental damage.
Funding Line 3
International Research Campus
In this round of the Excellence Initiative, RUB presents a comprehensive and fully developed Institutional Strategy. The strategy is based on the fact that RUB holds the top spot among leading German research universities with six existing and two planned Research Departments, which conduct collaborative research and foster the advancement of individual research.
The main new element of RUB’s Institutional Strategy is the International Faculty, composed of outstanding RUB researchers who cooperate with their international partners. It will advance research and teaching as well as the public appeal of the campus.
Evaluation:
By mid-March 2012
Decision:
15 June 2012
Funding start:
1 November 2012
The RUB is capable of being an excellent university, of this we are certain. There are many reasons why. Voices from the campus:
The RUB is capable of excellence because …
KiSch: ... as a university and a research venue it sets national standards; at the same time it represents this region like no other. It has the potential for further future-oriented development in all areas, be it by creating better conditions for outstanding (soon perhaps literally award-winning) research and teaching, both by the teaching staff and by the students. The broad range of disciplines available, the ability to provide so many with an academic education without allowing quality to be compromised by quantity, and the availability of suitable relaxing environments for all students in the refectory and the botanical gardens – the scope of all this must surely be unique. Then there is the multi-facetted cultural programme in the Arts Centre and the AUDIMAX. A beacon for the Ruhr area!
Frederic: ... RUB is one of the biggest universities in Germany and one of the most cosmopolitan. Degree programmes in IT Security or National and European Business Law, for example, are unusual and make the university unique.
Felix Posielek : ... it offers a Bachelor’s of IT Security and therefore provides training for a prosperous professional future!
Sammy: ... it trumps all other supposed elite universities with its capable lecturers, friendly refectory staff, good transport links, motivated students, modern auditoria, good WLAN, beautiful campus, many parties on offer, a mulled wine stand, free use of the university swimming pools, ample parking spaces, as well as a brilliant online presence!!
Haki : ... it is alive and gives us the gift of a future. ...
Emel: ... RUB focuses on what’s important: the students.
Max ... RUB has caught up in so many areas over the last few years. The Research School is based on a great concept, and a diverse range of research projects attract a growing number of top-level researchers from all over the world. This is not least due to the often excellent appointment policies of the rectorate. The sense of new beginnings is also palpable within the faculties. Equally significant is the fact that the comprehensive presence of RUB in the social media (whose administrators are doing sterling work) has raised awareness of RUB among many people who, despite studying or working at RUB, were out of touch with any uni-related matters and activities which they didn’t directly encounter in confines of their studies or work.
Now we can achieve excellence!
Tobias: ... RUB is simply RUB.
It’s hard to describe....
You have to experience RUB...
Jasmin Gerau: ... I can pursue my doctoral studies here, while my daughter can romp around at UniKids!
Philipp Lungwitz: Why would the university deserve it?
Simply because there is no other university as committed as RUB. It is the only university that offers specialist degree programmes such as IT Security. Moreover it is the uni that provides a new project or activity for everyone practically every week (be it Japan Week or a creative competition), and where you can campaign for the uni sensibly and in your own way and contribute something. I am right in my opinion that this university focuses on the students; it doesn’t focus on maintaining a specific standard like other unis, but keeps developing, conducting research, and looking to the future. RUB isn’t just capable of being excellent, it already is.
Tina Dzierla: ...RUB not only provides well-founded education and training, but it also wins points for its friendly family atmosphere, which makes you feel comfortable and at home!
Elke : ...it is the best uni in the region. Obviously.
