Kiel University maintains the distinction of two Exceptional Academic Clusters - Research continuation for University of Kiel in two areas of expertise
Kiel University Secures Funding for Two Elite Research Clusters
Kiel University's Christian-Albrechts-Universität (CAU) has secured extended funding for two of its research clusters under the Excellence Initiative of the federal and state governments. The university will continue to receive around 70 million euros each for the clusters focusingon precision medicine for chronic inflammatory diseases and archaeology.
The clusters in question are the "Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation" (PMI) and "ROOTS – Social, Environmental, and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies" (ROOTS). The PMI consortium, which involves Kiel University and the University of Lübeck, is engaged in interdisciplinary research on chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn’s, psoriasis, diabetes, and rheumatism. The aim is to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
However, the status of the ROOTS cluster, though active in research and events, is not currently listed as an extended Cluster of Excellence in the 2022 DFG funding document. Although it is not designated as an extended Cluster of Excellence, Kiel University remains committed to ROOTS research.
Eckhard Quandt, Vice President for Research, Scientific Infrastructure, and Transfer at the CAU, expressed his delight at the extension of both clusters, stating, "This is a tremendous success! We are very pleased that both clusters have been extended." With this achievement, the CAU is eligible to apply for the title of an excellence university in the second funding line of the Excellence Strategy.
Kiel University is now among the 25 top universities in Germany that have won two or more clusters. The precise funding amounts, along with additional details, can be found in the official DFG documentation.
The extension of the two research clusters, Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation and ROOTS, remains significant for Kiel University's community policy regarding health-and-wellness, particularly in the research of chronic diseases such as Crohn’s, psoriasis, diabetes, and rheumatism. Furthermore, the university's continued focus on archaeology within the ROOTS cluster demonstrates their commitment to expanding knowledge in higher education, science, and medical-conditions.
