Cluster of Excellence
Clusters of excellence are large, interdisciplinary research alliances that work on innovative topics at the highest level. As part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments, the Berlin universities have acquired five Clusters of Excellence in 2025.
Collaborative Research Centres
Collaborative Research Centres (SFB) at Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin set innovative and structure-building accents in the various disciplines: they are long-term, usually twelve-year university research institutions in which scientists work together within the framework of interdisciplinary research programmes.
Research Training Groups
With the Research Training Groups, Humboldt-Universit?t zu Berlin hosts institutions for the promotion of researchers in early career phases, which are funded by the DFG for a maximum of nine years. The focus is on the qualification of doctoral candidates within the framework of a thematically focused research programme and a structured qualification concept.
Research groups
In DFG Research Units, several outstanding researchers work together on a research task within a research network. They can use various programme modules to prioritise subject-specific requirements and establish new research directions. Research Units are generally funded for eight years.
Research Groups
With the DFG Research Units, the DFG facilitates the collaboration of particularly recognised researchers on a research topic in the humanities and social sciences at one location. By deliberately focussing on open questions with a novel character, DFG Research Units can develop a far-reaching impact. The funding period is up to eight years.
Emmy Noether junior research groups
The Emmy Noether Programme of the German Research Foundation offers outstandingly qualified scientists in early career phases the opportunity to qualify for a university professorship by independently leading a group over a period of six years.
Heisenberg programme
The DFG's Heisenberg Programme is aimed at excellent researchers who meet all the formal requirements for appointment to a permanent professorship. It enables them to further develop their own research profile in a targeted manner and to prepare for an academic leadership position.