University of Excellence status confirmed, with more Clusters of Excellence than anywhere else in Germany
The Excellence Commission, made up of the Committee of Experts and the science ministers at federal and state level, announced earlier today that the University of Bonn has been awarded funding from the federal and state governments for a further seven years (2027–2033). With its eight Clusters of Excellence, the University of Bonn will thus retain its crown as the most successful University of Excellence in the contest as it enters the new funding period. The University will now take additional strategic steps to establish itself in the leading pack of the world’s best universities over the long term, says Rector Professor Michael Hoch.
In the Rectorate building on Dechenstraße, you could have cut the tension with a knife as several hundred guests from the University, the academic and scientific community and city society waited to hear whether continued funding had been secured. When it became clear that the University’s success story would be entering a new chapter, the crowd erupted into cheers.
Rector: “Yet another landmark achievement”
When the decision was announced, Rector Hoch declared: “Today marks yet another landmark achievement in the history of our University. As a University of Excellence, Bonn is clearly among those leading the field of science and academia in Germany. With eight Clusters of Excellence, we’re also the most successful university in the contest, both within North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and across Germany. We’ve met all our targets and have even exceeded some of them. This success is the product of a strategic process of transformation in which we’ve grown the University of Bonn into a globally interconnected institution for excellent research, teaching and transfer. We’re a shining example of how the Excellence Strategy is having an impact and achieving its objectives, namely increasing Germany’s clout and international visibility as a hub for science and research.”
Addressing all those who had played their part in the University’s successful development, Professor Hoch said: “Speaking on behalf of the Rectorate, my heartfelt thanks go to everyone who has worked hard toward this fantastic achievement and supported us—above all, of course, University members in all status groups and our partners in Bonn and across the world. We’d also like to say a special ‘thank you’ to the state government, especially State Premier Hendrik Wüst and Minister Ina Brandes, who have been amazingly supportive of us as a University of Excellence from NRW—and not just in the assessment process.”
He also set his sights on the future, adding: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together and firmly believe that we’ll be continuing along this path of success for some time yet. Today’s decision will give us momentum to keep on implementing our strategy rigorously and to establish ourselves in the leading pack of the world’s best universities over the long term.”
Favorable conditions for the University of Bonn’s journey to the pinnacle of global academia
The latest international university rankings put the University of Bonn among the best higher-education institutions in Germany and worldwide, and one key aim over the next few years will be to consolidate this position and push further into the leading pack. One of the Rectorate’s priorities in the upcoming funding period will be to expand even further the support available for “emerging leaders,” i.e. talented early-career researchers with an international reputation. Other key factors in the University’s journey to the pinnacle of global academia include excellent conditions for research, a strong emphasis on working across discipline boundaries and unstinting efforts to expand its international networks. It is also focusing on quality and innovation in its teaching and learning, on investing in digital infrastructure and on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in research, teaching and administration and intends to further expand its transfer activities involving industry and society.
Excellence, strength in research and international recognition
The University of Bonn can look back on some successful years: In May 2025, it increased its number of Clusters of Excellence further from six to eight—an achievement matched by no other institution in Germany and one that retained its status as the most successful university in the Excellence contest.
The University of Bonn received around €225 million in funding from the Excellence Strategy from 2019 to 2025, including €120 million for its Clusters of Excellence. Excellence funding has enabled the creation of some 400 new posts (professorships and academic, technical and administrative staff).
Meanwhile, top placings in international rankings (THE, Shanghai) serve as confirmation of the University of Bonn’s steadily increasing strength in research, reinforced by the outstanding accolades conferred on some of its researchers.
Save the date: “Hands-on Excellence” at P26
Under the motto “Hands-on Excellence,” the University of Bonn invites you to visit its showcase “P26” at Poststraße 26 in downtown Bonn this Friday, March 13, from 2 to 6 p.m. Rector Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Michael Hoch, other members of the Rectorate, and researchers from the Transdisciplinary Research Areas and Clusters of Excellence will be available to meet citizens and engage in conversation.
Here are some reactions to the Excellence decision:
NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst: "North Rhine-Westphalia is particularly strong in cutting-edge research and scientific excellence. I am delighted for RWTH Aachen University and the University of Bonn that they have once again impressed the Excellence Commission and defended their status as Universities of Excellence. Following our first-class 15 out of 70 clusters of excellence nationwide last year, this proves once again that we are setting the standards for outstanding research and application of tomorrow. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the funds are well invested because we create optimal conditions for cutting-edge research. Strong innovations are the key to successfully mastering the great challenges of our time."
Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär: "The Universities of Excellence are beacons of cutting-edge research in Germany, as the evaluation results show. They are and will remain the figureheads of our scientific community and often serve as models for other universities. Not only have they increased their international visibility through excellent basic research, but they have also made significant progress in applied research and technology transfer. They contribute significantly to the innovative strength and competitiveness of our country and thus to the success of Germany's High-Tech Agenda.
I warmly congratulate the University of Bonn on this great success and on the significant leap in scientific quality it has made in recent years. The cornerstone of its success is its transdisciplinary research areas, which bring researchers from different disciplines together. I am particularly pleased to see the increase in the proportion of women in the professorial staff, which serves as a role model for other universities. I am certain that it will continue to be a beacon for Germany as a center of science in the next seven years."
NRW Minister of Science and Research Ina Brandes: “The research environment in North Rhine-Westphalia boasts a level of diversity and excellence that you won’t find anywhere else in Europe. It’s home to the brightest minds working on solving the biggest challenges of the future. The state has gained a reputation as a hub for science and research that extends well beyond its own borders. It’s quite right that the outstanding work our researchers in Aachen and Bonn are doing should have been honored with the retention of Excellence status. We in the state government supported our universities as best we could with their applications, and this hard work has now paid off. The state can be proud of top-level research made in NRW.”
Mayor Guido Déus: “The University of Bonn being awarded Excellence status once again is a magnificent achievement that sends out a strong signal for Bonn as a center for science and research, and my sincerest congratulations go to both the Rectorate and the whole University. I’d be delighted to help it tackle the next steps in its development. With its international reach, its researchers and students and its global partnerships, it is doing much to shape and strengthen our city’s identity on the international stage and make it a more attractive place.”