Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Clusters of Excellence

Clusters of Excellence are large-scale research projects in which scientists conduct interdisciplinary research on innovative topics across different institutions. With the Clusters of Excellence, the federal and state governments are funding internationally competitive research fields as part of the Excellence Strategy [link where applicable]. Freie Universität Berlin (FU), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), Technische Universität Berlin (TU) and Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have joined forces in the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) to form the only university network currently funded as excellent in this context. There are also numerous co-operations with non-university institutions in the integrated Berlin research area.

In the current funding period (2019-2025), Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin has applied for Matters of Activity (MoA), a Cluster of Excellence that builds on the "Image Knowledge Gestaltung" Cluster approved in 2012. Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is involved in three other successful clusters as a co-applicant: Science of Intelligence (SCIoI), a joint cluster of Technische Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, MATH+, a consortium of Technische Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin, and NeuroCure, a consortium of Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Berlin and Freie Universität Berlin.

In addition, researchers from Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin are also involved in the other three Berlin Clusters of Excellence, Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS), Unifying Systems in Catalysis (UniSysCat) and Temporal Communities.

 

Clusters of Excellence of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

 

Matters of Activity (MoA)

V.l.n.r.: Project »Performing Clouds«, Clemens Winkler; Quipu, Regine Hengge; Biofilm, Michelle Mantel; Footprint in Cacao, Matters of Activity; Knots, Gottfried Semper; Stone Web – Spatial Modul System from Basalt Fiber, weißensee kunsthochschule berlin, Idalene Rapp, Natascha-Katharina Unger, Christiane Sauer; Wax moulage from Navena Widulin from the Conservation Lab at Berlin Museum of Medical History at the Charité, Matters of Activity; Precon, Lucius Fekonja; PhD Project of Iva Rešetar, Jens Ziehe
Image: MoA*
A new culture of materials

Science of Intelligence (SCIoI)

[alternativer Bildtext]
Image: ©SCIoI

NeuroCure

[alternativer Bildtext]
Image: Andreas Horn

MATH+

MATH+ Overview
Image: Math+, Kay Herschelmann

 

Clusters of Excellence with participation of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

 

Constentation of the liberal scripts (SCRIPTS)

project overview
Image: SCRIPTS

Unifying Systems in Catalysis (UniSysCat)
 

[alternativer Bildtext]
Image: Rahel Suesskind, UniSysCat

Temporal Communities - Literature in a Global Perspective

Temporal Communities overview
Image: Daniel Stader for EXC 2020 Temporal Communities
 
 
 

Further information on the Clusters of Excellence can be found on the Berlin University Alliance website: Link

 

Outputs & Backgrounds

Podcast series: Excellently explained - cutting-edge research for all [German]

Here you can find podcasts from the Clusters of Excellence of the Berlin University Alliance. In the 30-45 minute episodes, top researchers explain selected questions from the clusters. The podcast series is a joint project of all 57 Clusters of Excellence. Founded as a science communication initiative during the pandemic, the Clusters of Excellence have been producing their own episodes on their Clusters of Excellence together with podcaster Larissa Vasilian since 2021.

  • Woraus ist unsere Zukunft gemacht? Aktive Materialien und bio-inspiriertes Design. A Podcast of the Cluster of Excellence "Matters of Activity", 1. September 2022. Link
  • Mit Mathematik die Welt verbessern? Lösungen für die Probleme einer komplexen Welt. A Podcast of the Cluster of Excellence "Math+" 1. December 2023.  Link
  • Science of Intelligence: Was ist Intelligenz? A Podcast of the Cluster of Excellence "Science of Intelligence", 1. October 2023. Link
  • Hirnforschung - Vom Gedächtnis zur Erkrankung. A Podcast of the Cluster of Excellence "NeureCure", 1. January 2023. Link
  • Temporal Communities - Literatur in globaler Perspektive. Ein Podcast des Exzellenzclusters "Temporal Communities", 1. September 2023. Link
  • Grüne Chemie – Katalyseprozesse können nachhaltig sein. A Podcast of the Cluster of Excellence "Unifying Systems in Catalyis", 1. Oktober 2022. Link
  • Wissenschaftsfreiheit: Wenn Forschung angegriffen wird. A Podcast of the Cluster of Excellence „Contestations of the Liberal Script (SCRIPTS)“, 1. Juni 2023.  Link
Information about the  Exzellence Strategy
  • Information from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) [just available in German]: Link
  • Information from the German Research Foundation (DFG) on the Excellence Strategy [just available in German]: Link
  • DFG video on the Excellence Strategy [Englisch]: Link
  • More about the Berlin University Alliance (BUA). Link

 

 

 

*Picture credits MoA (Matters of Activity) (from left to right): Project »Performing Clouds«, Clemens Winkler; Quipu, Regine Hengge; Biofilm, Michelle Mantel; Footprint in Cacao, Matters of Activity; Knots, Gottfried Semper; Stone Web – Spatial Modul System from Basalt Fiber, weißensee kunsthochschule berlin, Idalene Rapp, Natascha-Katharina Unger, Christiane Sauer; Wax moulage from Navena Widulin from the Conservation Lab at Berlin Museum of Medical History at the Charité, Matters of Activity; Precon, Lucius Fekonja; PhD Project of Iva Rešetar, Jens Ziehe.