# Research and Teaching at the University of Bonn
**Source**: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching
**Parent**: https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/university/about-the-university/we-are-uni-bonn/louisa-specht-riemenschneider
The University of Bonn is one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany with [eight Clusters of Excellence](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy/clusters-of-excellence)1 - more than any other university in Germany. Our seven faculties cover a broad range of disciplines. These strong disciplines are supplemented by six cross-faculty, interdisciplinary [“Transdisciplinary Research Areas” (TRAs)](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas)2 that create spaces for exploration and innovation where key scientific, technological and social challenges are addressed.
© Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn
### Transdisciplinary Research Profile
The research profile of our University of Excellence is based on our six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs), and is further strengthened by six Clusters of Excellence, countless collaborative projects and outstanding researchers.
[TRAs and Research Profile](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile)3
© Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn
### Teaching Profile
We aim to create a passion for science in young people and help them develop their individual professional and personal skills as best possible. The overall orientation of study and teaching at the University is based on ten principles.
[Study and Teaching Principles](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/teaching-profile)4
© Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn
### Researchers and Teachers
The University provides a range of services to help increase the time available for research and teaching. These range from providing advice on submitting applications and handling third-party funded projects, all the way to consulting on teaching methods. Learn about our Welcome Center and funding lines for international exchange, among other things.
[Services Offered](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/support-for-researchers-and-teachers/services_researchers-teachers)5
© Volker Lannert / Uni Bonn
### Early-Career Researchers
We want to give talented early-career researchers the opportunity to perform independent research and help them achieve their goals both within and outside academia. The Argelander Program provides orientation, cross-disciplinary training and funding for emerging leaders.
[The Argelander Program](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs)6
© Volker Lannert/Uni Bonn
### Knowledge and Technology Transfer
Through knowledge transfer, we ensure that our research reaches and benefits various sectors, while our technology transfer efforts help move innovative ideas into practical use. Our outreach programs further extend these contributions, engaging with the community to share insights and drive positive change.
[Transfer](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/transfer)7
© Frommann/Uni Bonn
### Quality Assurance
Academic integrity and high quality teaching are our top priorities. Learn about our quality assurance measures, Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice and your contact persons.
[Quality Research and Teaching](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/quality-assurance-in-research-and-teaching)8
Latest Research and Teaching News
[© Photo: Barbara Frommann/Uni Bonn](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/047-2026 "How to Spot Disinformation: Tips from a Cybersecurity Expert")9
[How to Spot Disinformation: Tips from a Cybersecurity Expert](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/047-2026)9
In late March, representatives of government and the business and scientific communities will meet on the University of Bonn’s Poppelsdorf Campus to discuss one of the most pressing issues of today’s digital age: the targeted dissemination of disinformation. The Bonn Dialogue on Cybersecurity will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026, from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm in Lecture Hall 1, Poppelsdorf Campus, University of Bonn, Friedrich-Hirzebruch-Allee 5, 53115.
Mar 17, 2026
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[© AdobeStock / KristinaBlokhin](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/048-2026 "What’s in a Name? — The Unknown Faces of History")10
[What’s in a Name? — The Unknown Faces of History](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/048-2026)10
Most people in history remain nameless, appearing in sources merely as numbers, traits or anonymous figures. A new research project launched by the Cluster of Excellence Bonn Center for Dependency and Slavery Studies (BCDSS) and the Department of History (IGW) at the University of Bonn is looking into how these nameless individuals can be analyzed and rendered visible in historical records. It has been awarded €370,000 in funding from the Volkswagen Foundation.
Mar 17, 2026
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[© COLORBOX.DE](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/045-2026 "Dishwashing with side effects: Kitchen sponges release microplastics")11
[Dishwashing with side effects: Kitchen sponges release microplastics](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/045-2026)11
Kitchen sponges are among the most frequently used household items – and may also represent a previously underestimated source of microplastics. Researchers led by the University of Bonn investigated how many plastic particles are released from sponges during dishwashing and their environmental impacts. The findings show that while measurable amounts of microplastics enter the environment each year, the largest share of environmental impact from manual dishwashing is caused by water consumption.
Mar 17, 2026
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[© Photo: Barbara Frommann/University of Bonn](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/138-2025 "Researchers develop a ChatGPT for Portuguese")12
[Researchers develop a ChatGPT for Portuguese](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/138-2025)12
Large language models, such as ChatGPT, perform significantly less well in Portuguese than in English despite both languages being spoken worldwide. This gap has now been closed with "GigaVerbo". The team led by Dr. Nicholas Kluge Corrêa from the Center for Science and Thought at the University of Bonn is now presenting the project in the journal "Patterns". The researchers were among the first to utilize the new "Marvin" supercomputer at the University of Bonn. Nicholas Kluge Corrêa and his colleague Aniket Sen are both members of the Transdisciplinary Research Area "Sustainable Futures" at the University of Bonn.
Mar 06, 2026
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6
Clusters of Excellence
200+
Degree Programs
699
Professors
## Our Research Profile
The [research profile](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile)3 of our University of Excellence is defined by six [Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs)](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas)2, each of which has at least one Cluster of Excellence at its core. The TRAs focus our research on key future scientific, technological and social issues. Outstanding researchers, strong disciplines and a cooperative research culture have always formed the basis of our research profile.
### Transdisciplinary Research Areas
The six Transdisciplinary Research Areas (TRAs) at the University of Bonn create spaces for innovation in research and teaching.
[More on TRAs](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas)2
### Excellence Strategy
“We invest in people. We foster networks. We create impact.” Our strategy for excellence in research and teaching.
[Find out more](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy)13
### Clusters of Excellence
The University of Bonn has six Clusters of Excellence — eight as of January 2026 — more than any other university in Germany.
[Our Clusters](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy/clusters-of-excellence)1
### Support of Early-Career Researchers
We offer many support services for doctoral students and postdocs to promote early independent research.
[Argelander Program](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs)6
### Research Networks
Innovative top-level research in many national and international partnerships and collaborative projects sets us apart.
[Collaborative Research](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/collaborative-research-projects)14
### Outstanding Researchers
The outstanding research performed by our researchers is shown by the many awards that have been received.
[Awards and Prizes](https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/awards-and-prizes)15
## Links
1. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy/clusters-of-excellence
2. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/transdisciplinary-research-areas
3. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile
4. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/teaching-profile
5. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/support-for-researchers-and-teachers/services\_researchers-teachers
6. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/ecrs
7. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/transfer
8. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/quality-assurance-in-research-and-teaching
9. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/047-2026
10. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/048-2026
11. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/045-2026
12. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/news/138-2025
13. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/excellence-strategy
14. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/collaborative-research-projects
15. https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/research-profile/awards-and-prizes