On Friday, 10 April 2026, the University of Konstanz and the foundation Hector Stiftung signed a new funding agreement for the University of Konstanz. The extensive funding for strategic measures amounting to 27.3 million euros will be spread across two potential funding periods lasting until the end of 2033.

As the University of Konstanz turns 60, the generous support from the Hector Stiftung facilitates the university's next stage of development. The university continues to prioritize promoting its world-class research and innovation at the institutional level – independent of any "excellence" title. The Hector Stiftung fosters cutting-edge research and enables the university to implement new developments in the areas of teaching, internationalization and transfer.

"The trust that the Hector Stiftung now places in the University of Konstanz is truly one-of-a-kind and fills us with great joy and gratitude", says Rector Katharina Holzinger. "The eagerness with which the Hector Stiftung so generously supports the University of Konstanz on its future path stems from the conviction that Konstanz has always been and will continue to be an excellent research university."

This is also the essence of the official feedback received from the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR) as funding through the "University of Excellence" funding line wraps up. The report confirms the great extent to which the university reached the goals stated in its institutional strategy "creative.together" – and only the requirement of a second Cluster of Excellence stood between the university and its continued participation in the "University of Excellence" competition. "This positive conclusion puts wind in our sails", says Rector Holzinger and adds: "With this funding from the Hector Stiftung, we can now put more resources behind our strengths, test out more possibilities, implement innovative projects and ideas, and take new paths."

A particular focus of the agreed funding is the research network Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) whose researchers study collective behaviour across species – from massive swarms of animals to autonomous robot collectives. "Over the last seven years, since its establishment in 2019, and driven by innovative technologies, data-driven approaches, and a strongly interdisciplinary team spirit, we have established CASCB as a leading global centre for collective behaviour research. The support of the Hector Stiftung will now enable us to write the next chapter of this success story", says Iain Couzin, speaker of the research network CASCB and a member of the Hector Fellow Academy. The CASCB will now intensify its international collaborations and have greater latitude for pursuing innovative research approaches. Together with partners such as the Max Planck Society, concepts are being developed that will visibly strengthen the field and carry it into the future – the aim is to foster international early career researchers, in particular.

In addition to promoting the research priority in collective behaviour, the Hector Stiftung will also support investments across the university. Flexible financing will advance strong academic support services, infrastructures and innovative measures. More strategic professorial appointments as well as readjusted, targeted funding structures will serve to sharpen Konstanz's research profile and generate new research priorities. Today's global challenges are massive and complex: The university aims to provide the best possible conditions for courageous, collaborative research to respond to these challenges.

As the University of Konstanz turns 60, the Hector Stiftung will provide additional opportunities in many areas: more possibilities for excellent research, more potential for innovative collaborations and wider perspectives for their social impact. This funding is an example of the type of support universities need for the future – support that is flexible, strategic and complements limited public funding.

For many years and through a variety of funding measures at considerable financial scale, the Hector Stiftung has continued to stand by the University of Konstanz. "In providing the agreed funding, the Hector Stiftung once again demonstrates its precise focus on how to design forward-looking, strategic funding for research. It gives our university the necessary flexibility to respond dynamically to social developments, to reinforce our world-class research priorities and to turn the strongest potentials into results. On behalf of the entire University of Konstanz, I would like to thank the foundation", Katharina Holzinger concludes. The University of Konstanz is ready to take advantage of the new possibilities, to take its place among the international competition and fulfil its role as a driving force for a democratic, sustainable society.

Key facts: The University of Konstanz and Hector Stiftung signed the funding agreement for the University of Konstanz on 10 April 2026. Support for strategic measures will be spread across two potential funding periods lasting until the end of 2033. Funding amount: 27.3 million euros Priorities: Funding for the research network Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) as well as broad institutional support for strengthening profile areas, infrastructures and academic support measures at the University of Konstanz.