Excellence
First-rate, effective and impact-oriented research
Excellent research and social responsibility – as a university, we are committed to addressing both challenges equally.
They are closely interlinked and form the basis of our application to become a University of Excellence.
Our vision for the future
Unity in diversity and the well-being of society
LUH strives to be a global centre where students, researchers, staff and partners from across society are united in the pursuit of a joint goal: advancing societal progress together.
In keeping with its namesake, LUH embodies Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz’s principle of “unitas in multitudine” (unity in diversity), which aims to ensure “bonum commune” (the well-being of society).
Our mission
Uniting science and society
Universities are facing an unprecedented challenge: the growing chasm between academic research and societal needs. The public’s trust in science is diminishing because people are having difficulty recognising how research relates to the everyday challenges they face.
Universities need to demonstrate how public investment in research translates into social value and thus strengthen the general public’s understanding of science. This gap is becoming increasingly critical, because society is facing complex, interwoven problems that require evidence-based solutions.
Excellence with benefits
Various groups would benefit from LUH’s Excellence status
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Moritz Küstner / LUH
LUH students
Universities of Excellence provide advantages for students: early integration in cutting-edge research and Clusters of Excellence, outstanding labs and libraries thanks to high levels of funding, and innovative teaching. International linkages and a distinguished network can serve as the basis for career success following graduation.
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LUH/Personalentwicklung
LUH staff
Universities of Excellence deliver clear added value for employees: better laboratory, library and IT resources; modern management structures; and, thanks to long-term funding, increased stability and planning certainty. Access to top-notch international employees strengthens the university’s networks and bolsters its reputation.
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HMTG
Hannover
Universities of Excellence strengthen their communities: they draw first-rate researchers and investment, support knowledge and technology transfer, and encourage companies and start-ups to locate there. More money flows into personnel, infrastructure and projects, stimulating the economy, creating jobs and increasing international visibility.
Excellent in Lower Saxony
University of Excellence status, with LUH as the flagship institution, would enable Lower Saxony to further establish its position as a leading research state. Academic centres beyond the state capital would also benefit from the funding through existing collaborations.
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Eean Chen/Unsplash.com
Societal relevance
Strong networks for the future: at the heart of the LUH concept is the establishment of the Leibniz Future Unit, with six Future Labs that link research excellence and societal relevance. External stakeholders and perspectives will be systematically integrated into the research in order to generate important ideas for the future.
The path to becoming a University of Excellence
Next milestone: On-site review
Following the written proposal, which LUH submitted on time in November 2025, the on-site review is the next decisive step on the path to becoming a University of Excellence. A panel of renowned international experts will conduct an on-site assessment of the university’s research and infrastructure. In addition to attending presentations from the different disciplines and departments, the reviewers will speak with various status groups at LUH. The experts will then assess whether the measures and goals outlined in the proposal can be applied and implemented in practice.
If both the proposal and the conditions at the university are considered to be excellent, this will give LUH the chance of being awarded one of the five remaining Excellence titles.
The Excellence Commission will announce the final decision on 2 October 2026.
The commission is made up of the panel of international experts and the federal and state ministers responsible for science and research.
What is the Excellence Strategy?
The Excellence Strategy is a funding programme financed by the German federal and state governments. It aims to support cutting-edge research at German universities in order to strengthen Germany’s role as a scientific and academic hub and increase its international competitiveness. The Excellence Strategy consists of two funding lines:
- Clusters of Excellence: Projects in internationally competitive research fields are funded for an initial period of seven years. Funding for subsequent periods is possible.
- Universities of Excellence: The Universities of Excellence funding line serves to strengthen individual universities or university consortia over the long-term – on the basis of successful Clusters of Excellence. In order to apply for University of Excellence status, a university must be a participant in at least two Clusters of Excellence.
Roadmap
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2 October 2026
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Decision on University of Excellence fundingThe Excellence Commission will announce its funding decision.
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May 2026
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Michael Matthey/LUH
On-site reviewInternational experts will evaluate LUH on site.
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12 November 2025
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Submission of ExU proposalLUH submitted its application for University of Excellence status by the deadline.
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22 May 2025
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LUH/Sören Pinsdorf
Decision on funding for Clusters of ExcellenceLeibniz University Hannover was granted funding for three Clusters of Excellence as part of the federal and state governments’ Excellence Strategy.
A look back: LUH in the competition for excellence
Since the beginning of the federal and state governments’ Excellence Initiative in 2006, LUH has been successfully represented in the competition with various clusters. The QUEST – Centre for Quantum Engineering and Space-Time Research Cluster of Excellence was funded from 2007 to 2014. Its research has continued since then in the form of the QUEST Leibniz Research School.
The REBIRTH – From Regenerative Biology to Reconstructive Therapy Cluster of Excellence, which also included the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and other partners, was funded from 2006 to 2019. It led to the creation of a research centre which continues to exist today. The current Clusters of Excellence led by LUH, PhoenixD and QuantumFrontiers, have been funded since 2019. Hearing4all has been funded since 2012. Initially called the Excellence Initiative, the competition has been titled the Excellence Strategy since 2016.
Clusters of Excellence at LUH
More information
Contact
Questions regarding the Excellence Strategy?
Feel free to contact us
E-Mail
Questions regarding the Excellence Strategy?
Feel free to contact us
E-Mail
