5 June 2026, by Newsroom editorial office

Photo: Kirstin Hammerstein

left to right: Prof. Dr. Patrick Huber, Prof. Dr. Konrad Hirschler, Prof. Dr. Johanna Baehr, Prof. Dr. Erika Garutti, Maryam Blumenthal, Prof. Dr. Andrea Cavalleri, Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren und Prof. Dr. Andreas Timm-Giel

With the success of five clusters of excellence, Hamburg has set a new course for academic excellence. Over the next seven years, the University of Hamburg (UHH) and the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), together with their partners, will receive approximately €266 million in funding to further advance their top-level research.

To celebrate this success and look ahead together to the future role of Hamburg’s world-class research as a driving force for society, Senator for Science Maryam Blumenthal hosted a formal Senate reception at City Hall. At the reception, the spokespersons for all five clusters of excellence presented their research. In addition to Senator Blumenthal, University of Hamburg President Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren and TUHH President Prof. Dr.-Ing. Andreas Timm-Giel spoke.

Senator for Science Maryam Blumenthal: “Five clusters of excellence, five strong teams, and five reasons why we in Hamburg can look to the future with confidence. When we celebrate Hamburg’s success with the Excellence Strategy together here at City Hall today, we are also highlighting just how much future potential lies in the work of the researchers right here on the ground. We find their results in the foundations of climate policy, in sustainable and previously unknown materials, or in new insights into our History. I am delighted that we will continue to shape this successful path together in the coming years. Hamburg is proud of its five clusters of excellence!”

Prof. Dr. Hauke Heekeren, president of the University of Hamburg: “Four clusters of excellence at the University of Hamburg—from climate research to particle physics to manuscript research: Such a broad range of topics is unique in northern Germany. This diversity is the result of a research culture that has grown over the years, in which collaboration across disciplinary boundaries is a natural part of everyday work. This gives rise to top-level research on key societal challenges—in and for the Hanseatic city and far beyond. To ensure this continues to succeed in the future, it is now crucial that we work together to create the good conditions.”

Prof. Dr. Andreas Timm-Giel, president of the Technical University of Hamburg: “Our success in the Excellence Strategy demonstrates that Hamburg is a city of science where strong universities and partners work together to create international visibility and drive innovation for the future. For the Technical University of Hamburg, BlueMat is a special milestone. The cluster combines excellent basic research with our guiding principle ‘Engineering to Face Climate Change’: An understanding of water-driven materials can give rise to new approaches for climate-friendly technologies, resource-efficient processes, and effective Knowledge exchange. In this way, top-level research becomes a driver of innovation—for science, industry, and the major transformation challenges of our time.”

An overview of Hamburg’s five clusters of excellence

Cluster of Excellence Climate, Climatic Change, and Society (CLICCS)

This cluster of excellence investigates the interactions between climate change and society with the aim of establishing a scientific foundation for societal transformation processes. The overarching question is: Which climate futures are plausible, and how can desired climate futures be realized?

CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter

Using state-of-the-art imaging techniques, this project investigates matter at the atomic and subatomic levels. The findings are of great significance for everyday life, for example with regard to new applications in magnetic data storage or the lossless conduction of electricity.

Quantum Universe

This cluster of excellence investigates fundamental questions regarding the origin, history, and composition of the universe, particularly in the fields of particle physics and cosmology. By studying the behavior of elementary particles immediately after the Big Bang, the research teams aim to find answers to current and fundamental questions about the cosmos.

Understanding Written Artefacts

The researchers in this Cluster of Excellence investigate the creation, use, and interpretation of written artifacts from various cultures and eras. Their work is guided by the question of how the functions of written artifacts have evolved in manuscript cultures worldwide—from the beginnings in ancient Mesopotamia to the digital age.

BlueMat: Water-Driven Materials

This cluster of excellence at the University of Hamburg investigates the development of materials that acquire new properties through interaction with water. The research approaches are inspired by natural processes.

Background

Since 2019, the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments has been funding top-level research at German universities with €687 million annually nationwide. The second funding period runs from 2026 to 2032. During this period, Hamburg will receive a total of up to €371 million (approximately €53 million per year) from federal and state funds. In addition, there are supplementary funds from the Excellence Basic Funding (EGA) amounting to €13.1 million annually.

(This content has been translated automatically.)