Heidelberg University is one of the oldest universities in Germany. It was founded in 1386 and, as a comprehensive research university, offers a wide range of study programmes and research areas, from the humanities and social sciences to the natural sciences, medicine, and law. In addition to its disciplinary orientation, Heidelberg University considers it its mission to develop answers to significant questions of humanity beyond the boundaries of individual disciplines.

With its strategy “The Comprehensive Research University. Heidelberg: The Future since 1386”, it has been able to build on its long-standing success in the Excellence Initiative. A central point of the strategy are the four profile-building Fields of Focus (FoF), which deal with the complexity and demanding challenges of a rapidly changing world. Within the framework of the Excellence Strategy, it aims to strengthen scientific cooperation among the FoF. In addition, Heidelberg University aims to further expand trans- and interdisciplinary research and to intensify knowledge transfer to society.