Excellent Research
A considerable increase in the performance of the German research system as a result of the Excellence Strategy can be seen in the wealth of new scientific findings, the variety of top-ranking publications these have resulted in, the numerous awards and prizes for participating researchers, and the competitive third-party funding acquired in addition to funding under the Excellence Initiative.

In this context, there has been a marked increase in research cooperation within and between universities, not least in connection with research platforms, as well an impressive expansion of collaboration with non-university research institutions and foreign partners.
The review of renewal proposals submitted by previously funded institutions – conducted by highly rigorous, internationally composed panels – has provided compelling evidence of increased research performance among the universities and partners involved in the Excellence Initiative and the Excellence Strategy.
Clusters of Excellence and Universities of Excellence facilitate collaboration among researchers of world-class talent and renowned experts from a range of different disciplines. From an early stage in their career, researchers have the opportunity to work on an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary basis. Members of Clusters of Excellence and Universities of Excellence publish widely and participate in international conferences, thereby representing cutting-edge research from Germany, its institutions and disciplines.