German Research Foundation (DFG) Funding Atlas 2021: TU9 Universities rank among the universities with the highest levels of third-party funding in Germany

October 8, 2021 / TU9 – German Universities of Technology e. V.

Data confirms top position of TU9 Universities in engineering

TU9 Universities once again live up to their reputation as universities with strong third-party funding. The current DFG Funding Atlas shows that TU9 Universities across all scientific disciplines have once again attracted more than one-fifth (21%) of all DFG funding.

In the engineering subject area profile, almost 50 % of the DFG funding volume goes to TU9 Universities - all nine institutions are among the TOP 11. The same picture is seen across all five disciplines (mechanical and production engineering, thermal engineering/process engineering, materials science and engineering, computer science, systems and electrical engineering, and civil engineering and architecture).

The engineering sciences show a very independent research network profile, in which TU9 Universities play an outstanding role nationwide due to their strong, regional and national cooperative relationships. This is also evident in the new funding priority "National Research Data Infrastructure" (NFDI), in which 19 consortia (130 institutions) are currently being funded with TU9 Universities as dominant hubs connecting a large number of participants.

In the industrial collective research (IGF) funding program, TU9 Universities have also attracted more than half of all funding (58.7 %) showing they are highly sought-after partner institutions in research projects primarily directed at the ‘Mittelstand’ – the many mid-size companies at the heart of the German economy.

At the European level, 31.4 % of HORIZON 2020 funding in Germany goes to TU9 Universities. The excellent international reputation of TU9 universities is also underscored by the fact that approximately one fifth of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH), DAAD and ERC grantees choose a TU9 University as their host institution.

The DFG Funding Atlas is published every three years and presents comprehensive data, by subject area, on publicly funded research in Germany. The new Funding Atlas was presented on October 5, 2021 in a joint press conference held by DFG, the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), and Stifterverband.

About TU9

TU9 is the Alliance of leading Universities of Technology in Germany: RWTH Aachen University, Technische Universität Berlin, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Technical University of Darmstadt, Technische Universität Dresden, Leibniz University Hannover, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Technical University of Munich, and University of Stuttgart.

Tradition, excellence, and innovation are the hallmarks of TU9 Universities. Founded during the Industrial Age, they contributed decisively to technological progress back then and continue to do so today. They enjoy an outstanding reputation around the world as renowned research and teaching institutions that promote the transfer of knowledge and technology between universities and practice. As such, they train exceptional young academics for careers in science, business, and administration and assume social responsibility. TU9 Universities foster top-class international networks and diverse cooperation with industry, making them a key element of Germany’s position as a location of science and innovation.

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