Programme to create ‘Ivy League’ gets extra funds

Science 29 April 2016

The programme designed to create a German ‘Ivy League’ will be extended indefinitely, giving a handful of the country’s top universities a yearly bonus of at least €10 million (US$11.3 million) in extra funding, writes Gretchen Vogel for Science.

Germany’s Excellence Initiative, launched in 2006, was meant to boost research at German universities to world-class status. The €4.6 billion spent on the effort so far has paid off, an international commission concluded in January. Although German universities haven't made it to the top of world rankings, the programme has made them more dynamic and has encouraged them to build on their strengths, the report concluded.

The redesign, which will cost €533 million a year, has two funding categories. Starting in 2017, groups of researchers, either at a single university or from different universities, can apply to become an Excellence Cluster. Between 45 and 50 such clusters will receive between €3 million and €10 million per year, and their university hosts will receive an extra €1 million. After those awards are made, universities that host at least two clusters can apply to be designated an Excellence University. Between eight and 11 will be chosen to receive between €10 million and €15 million per year in extra funding starting in 2019.
Full report on the Science site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.