Clusters of Excellence

Source: https://www.tum.de/en/research/clusters-of-excellence Parent: https://www.tum.de/en/studies/application/application-info-portal/dates-periods-and-deadlines

Our academics combine their leading expertise in high-performance research alliances.

Since 2006, TUM has enjoyed success in every funding round for the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments, establishing research centers of international renown in Germany as an academic and science hub. Funding centers on seven Clusters of Excellence in the future which effectively combine the outstanding expertise of our university with that of further scientific institutions.

Astrid Eckert/TUM; ESA/NASA

For the fourth consecutive time, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has earned the designation "University of Excellence". This was announced by the Science Council (WR), the German Research Foundation (DFG), and the Federal Ministry of Research on March 11, 2026 in Bonn. In its new TUM Agenda 2030+, the university places its responsibility as an engine of innovation for the well-being of humanity at the center of its strategy.

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Barth van Rossum

The cluster “BioSysteM“ aims to create self-organizing molecular and cellular systems with programmable, life-like properties. The researchers develop biomolecular machines, intelligent materials and pattern-based therapeutics. As a basis for new medical applications, they are also researching the control of cell differentiation and organ formation.\ \ Participating institutions: TUM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and Helmholtz Munich

Website BiosysteM

Bettina V. Lotsch et al., published by American Chemical Society

The cluster „e-conversion“ is exploring the underlying processes in the conversion of renewable energies, e.g. in photovoltaics, photocatalysis and batteries. Researchers are working to reduce energy losses occurring at the interfaces between different materials as a result of physical effects. These are crucial for the efficiency of energy conversion.

Participating institutions: TUM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Solid State Research, MPI for Chemical Energy Conversion, MPI für Kohlenforschung, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society

Website e-conversion

Our university brings together researchers from different disciplines in the field of energy research. They develop sustainable, cost-effective and practicable solutions for the future energy supply.

Energy research

MCQST / C. Hohmann

MCQST is examining the scientific basis for complex quantum systems and establishing the technological foundation of quantum technology, a key next-generation technology for the 21st century. The researchers address significant fields of application ranging from quantum computers, powerful quantum information systems and quantum sensors to novel quantum materials.

Participating institutions: TUM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), MPI of Quantum Optics, Walther-Meißner-Institute of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Deutsches Museum Munich

Website „MCQST“

Quantum technologies will profoundly change our everyday lives in the coming decades. Our university is conducting cutting-edge research in this field and developing the underlying basic technologies. At the same time, we train highly qualified young scientists who will be able to accompany the change in the future.

Quantum technologies

adimas - Fotolia

The NUCLEATE research cluster investigates the fundamental biological functions of RNA and DNA molecules. The focus is on interdisciplinary approaches to better understand the roles of nucleic acids in organisms and how their activity can be specifically regulated. As a key technology for future medicine, the targeted modulation of nucleic acids will open up completely new possibilities for diagnosis and treatment.\ \ Participating institutions: TUM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Helmholtz Munich, and the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research

Website NUCLEATE

NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI; Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Anton M. Koekemoer (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)

The cluster „ORIGINS“ is conducting research into the evolution of the universe from the Big Bang to the origin of life. Researchers from the fields of astrophysics, biophysics and particle physics collaborate, for example, in the search for the connection between the formation of planets and the origin of the first prebiotic molecules. Among other things, they are trying to show that life is a natural process that forms part of the evolution of the universe.

Participating institutions:TUM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), ESO – European Southern Observatory, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, MPI for Astrophysics, MPI for Extraterrestrial Physics, MPI for Physics, MPI of Biochemistry, MPI for Plasma Physics, Deutsches Museum Munich

Website ORIGINS

Hubert Filser

The cluster „SyNergy“ is studying how complex neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer’s originate. Using systems neurology as a new interdisciplinary approach, the researchers are able to map the many processes involved in neurodegenerative, neuroimmunological and neurovascular diseases. The cluster has been receiving funding since 2012.

Participating institutions: TUM, TUM University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), LMU Hospital, MPI of Neurobiology, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Helmholtz Munich, MPI of Biochemistry, MPI of Psychiatry

Website SyNergy

Rahel Roloff

The social science cluster seeks to better understand emerging technologies and their transformative power, and to help shape them in relation to changing societies. It investigates why, when, and how technologies become socially transformative, while critically assessing and informing their transformation pathways. Theories and methods related to participation, legitimacy, responsibility, security, and resilience are to be rethought.

Participating institutions: TUM (applicant), Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU), Leibniz Institute for Economic Research (ifo Institute), Max-Planck-Institute for Innovation and Competition, Munich School of Politics and Public Policy (HfP), Leibniz Centre for European Economic Research

Website TransforM

We are the only Technical University in Germany that has been consistently recognized as a University of Excellence since 2006. The TUM Agenda 2030 future concept, which we successfully realized during the last funding period (2019 - 2026), will now be further developed as TUM Agenda 2030+. Our new orientation towards 'society-centered research and innovation' creates effective solutions for the global challenges society is facing today.

University of Excellence

With their Excellence Strategy, the federal and state governments have been supporting outstanding scientific achievements, research alliances and enhancing the profile of German universities since 2019. The funding program replaces and refines the Excellence Initiative established in 2006. It consists of two funding lines: the Clusters of Excellence in which universities and research institutes conduct joint research, and the Universities of Excellence whose preeminent position in research is to be extended.\ \ The Excellence Strategy is conducted by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Council of Science and Humanities (WR). Together they manage the selection and regular evaluation of the universities as well as the funded Clusters of Excellence.

Our research goals

Clusters of Excellence support the powerful implementation of our research agenda on the path to a more sustainable future.

Research goals

Research projects

Our researchers lead many national and international research projects or play a significant role in them.

Research projects

11/14/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: ORIGINS with Stefan Schönert

Understanding the origins of life

Research
Community
11/7/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: SyNergy with Thomas Misgeld

Systematically towards new therapies

Research
Community
10/17/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: MCQST with Barbara Kraus and Ignacio Cirac

Quantum science as the basis for new technologies

Research
Quantum Technologies
Community
10/10/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: e-conversion with Jennifer Rupp and Ian Sharp

Research for a sustainable energy future

Research
Community
Energy
10/2/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: TransforM with Sebastian Pfotenhauer

Systematically linking technology and society

Research
Community
9/26/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: NUCLEATE with Stefan Engelhardt

Nucleic acids as key to a new class of drugs

Research
Community
9/19/2025
Reading time 1 min.

EXplained: BioSysteM with Friedrich Simmel

An engineering approach to biology

Research
Community
6/20/2025
Reading time 5 min.

Prof. Friedrich Simmel on the new BioSysteM Cluster of Excellence

"Thinking of biology as technology"

Research
Community
Public Engagement
1/10/2025
Reading time 9 min.

E-conversion Cluster of Excellence

Creative ideas for the energy transition

Research
Sustainability
Energy
5/23/2025
Reading time 5 min.

New Cluster of Excellence NUCLEATE explores RNA and DNA

“We are witnessing a revolution in nucleic acid research”

Research
5/26/2025
Reading time 7 min.

New Cluster of Excellence TransforM

“Studying socio-technical shocks in real time”

Research
Sustainability
Mobility
Quantum Technologies
Artificial Intelligence
Public Engagement

SyNergy

From Alzheimer's Disease to stroke: In this German-language podcast series, the Munich researchers of the Cluster of Excellence "SyNergy" (Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology) present the latest research findings and explain understandably how neurological disorders, in which nerve cells die off on a large scale, arise.