# Researchers and Teaching Staff: From Idea to Innovation
**Source**: https://www.fau.eu/for-researchers-and-teaching-staff/
**Parent**: https://www.fau.eu/
Research at FAU stands for curiosity, openness and the courage to pursue new avenues. Interdisciplinary collaboration, suitable infrastructure and international networks create space for cutting-edge research. Various support services and programs are available to support research and teaching in all phases, from the initial idea, to implementation to knowledge transfer. FAU offers an environment where academic excellence, creativity and community thrive.
## What makes research at FAU successful
Clusters of Excellence
: Consolidated cutting-edge research\
Leading minds
: Expertise on a global level\
Global connections
: Strong partnerships across the globe\
Optimal funding for research
: 272 million euros in third-party funding\
- [### FAU Profile Centers
Profile Centers shape the research profile of FAU with a wide range of cutting-edge research projects, both in collaborative research and excellent individual research. In order to effectively support the University’s strategic objectives, they are limited to a duration of seven years. FAU Profile Centers Click on the tabs to find out more about the […]
Read more about FAU Profile Centers](https://www.fau.eu/research/research-profile/fau-profile-centers/)
- [### FAU Research Centers
FAU Research Centers are central research institutions that have close links with the higher-level key research priorities and are involved in at least one collaborative project. Research Centers are limited to a duration of seven years and have the opportunity during this time to establish their research which may be extended as a Profile Center. […]
Read more about FAU Research Centers](https://www.fau.eu/research/research-profile/fau-research-centers/)
- [### FAU Competence Centers
Competence Centers are central research institutions that have a cross-sectional function and provide expertise and support from basic research to the development of methods and instrumentation for the entire range of research carried out at FAU. FAU Competence Centers are permanent institutions that are subject to evaluation every seven years. FAU Competence Centers Click on […]
Read more about FAU Competence Centers](https://www.fau.eu/research/research-profile/fau-competence-centers/)
- [### International researchers
FAU is one of the leading research universities in Germany. With its wide range of interdisciplinary research fields, FAU offers the ideal environment for researchers from all over the world. International researchers benefit from comprehensive support, including resources, networks and administrative assistance to help them to find their feet quickly and efficiently in our research […]
Read more about International researchers](https://www.fau.eu/research/international-researchers/)
- [### Key research priorities at FAU
FAU’s academic excellence rests on the foundation of the key research priorities, manifested in Profile Centers, Research Centers and Competence Centers.
Read more about Key research priorities at FAU](https://www.fau.eu/research/research-profile/key-research-priorities/)
- [### Innovation ecosystem
Whether a citizen, entrepreneur, scientist, or student, the FAU Innovation ecosystem provides an overview of the diverse services, offerings, and formats of FAU and its innovation partners. The platform brings together information on events, innovation spaces, research opportunities, and training options, highlighting where ideas can emerge and grow. It encourages exploration, discovery, and active contribution […]
Read more about Innovation ecosystem](https://www.fau.eu/university/innovation/kooperationen/innovationsoekosystem-2/)
## Teaching at FAU
With passion
: Passing on knowledge and sparking enthusiasm\
Up to date
: Incorporating developments in society\
On the ball
: Using innovative and diverse teaching and examination formats\
Open to dialog
: Open to society and dialog\
- [### Guidelines for Innovative Teaching at FAU
Teaching has an equal status to research at FAU. As an institution, FAU creates a foundation for students and teaching staff that provides the space, staff and technology for teaching and studying specialist knowledge, developing skills and encouraging personal growth. Excellence in teaching as a driver of innovation Teaching staff develop the content of their […]
Read more about Guidelines for Innovative Teaching at FAU](https://www.fau.eu/university/strategy-and-structural-development/field-of-action-education/guidelines-for-innovative-teaching-at-fau/)
- [### Digital Teaching and Learning
As a highly-innovative university, digitalization is a central component of teaching at FAU. Digitalization provides a wide range of opportunities to improve quality in teaching and studying by Support for online teaching is available from the Innovation in Learning Institute (ILI), FAU’s center of excellence for e-learning, which offers teaching staff media-based advice and training […]
Read more about Digital Teaching and Learning](https://www.fau.eu/university/strategy-and-structural-development/field-of-action-education/digital-teaching-and-learning/)
- [### Teaching awards and funding programs
FAU would like to emphasize the importance of teaching alongside research by recognizing outstanding commitment and excellent quality in teaching. With this goal in mind, it launched an annual University-wide teaching award in 2016 that recognizes outstanding achievements in teaching. Excellence in teaching is rewarded with both faculty-wide and state-wide teaching awards. The quality of […]
Read more about Teaching awards and funding programs](https://www.fau.eu/university/strategy-and-structural-development/field-of-action-education/teaching-awards-and-funding-programs/)
- [## Research careers
FAU accompanies researchers along their entire career path: from a doctoral degree (R1), through the postdoc phase (R2) to a professorship (R3/R4). Whether you are completing a doctoral degree, gaining further academic qualifications, or are aiming at a professorship, FAU is the place to come for guidance, advice and tailored support. From a doctoral degree […]
Read more about Research careers](https://www.fau.eu/research/research-careers/)
## Latest news from research
- [04JUN 2025
FAU news
### Investigating milestones of nuclear policy and radiation safety
Results to be presented in the exhibition “Living with radiation“ The use of radiation has a long history, with areas of application in medicine, research, industry, and the military. However, people were not aware of the toxic nature of radiation from the outset. Over time, it became apparent that guidelines were necessary for working with […]
Read more about Investigating milestones of nuclear policy and radiation safety](https://www.fau.eu/2025/06/news/university/investigating-milestones-of-nuclear-policy-and-radiation-safety/)
- [12FEB 2025
FAU news
### Research with hops: More than the heart and soul of a beer
FAU researchers examine the antibiotic and antiviral effects of hops Hops are not only essential for brewing beer. They have also been valued as a medicinal plant since ancient times thanks to their special properties. This is the starting point for Luisa Kober’s and Marco Dürsch’s research. The two doctoral researchers at the Chair of […]
Read more about Research with hops: More than the heart and soul of a beer](https://www.fau.eu/2025/02/news/research/research-with-hops-more-than-the-heart-and-soul-of-a-beer/)
- [22MAY 2024
FAU news
### Ecosystem engineers under pressure
About rhodoliths and the impact climate has on these architects of the natural world Rising water temperatures caused by climate change also put pressure on important ecosystem engineers. While everyone is aware of coral and the huge reefs it forms, other architects of the natural world include certain species of red algae that create less […]
Read more about Ecosystem engineers under pressure](https://www.fau.eu/2024/05/news/research/ecosystem-engineers-under-pressure/)