Excellence Strategy: Opportunities and Prospects in the Excellence Clusters Program (GAIN26)

In January 2026, 70 Excellence Clusters started as centers of cutting-edge research in Germany. In the coming years, these clusters will fill numerous positions — from doctoral researcher posts to group leader roles and professorships — in an international competition. At the same time, Excellence Clusters offer a wide range of collaboration opportunities for researchers in Germany and abroad. The workshop will discuss opportunities for participation in Clusters of Excellence—also in the context of transatlantic cooperation—and highlight the opportunities that this program offers, particularly for researchers at early career stages.

  • Dr. Christine Petry, Head of Division Excellence Strategy and Research Impulses, DFG
  • Dr. Jan Wöpking, M1 – Munich Medicine Alliance
  • Prof. Dr. Michal Kucera, Konrektor für Forschung und Transfer, Universität Bremen and Cluster PI
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Middendorf, Rector, University of Stuttgart
  • Prof. Dr. Birgit Ulrike Münch, Vice rector for international affairs, Universität Bonn and Cluster Researcher
  • Prof. Dr. Britta Siegmund, Vice President, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft | DFG and Cluster Spokesperson

Language: English