Excellence Strategy

LIGHT. LIFE. LIBERTY. – Connecting People and Ideas

A film about the excellent research, committed teaching and vibrant network of science, business and

Friedrich Schiller University Jena is a dynamic and innovation-driven university centrally located in Germany. With a broad range of disciplines, it shapes the future through excellent research and teaching. Its scientific excellence is reflected in its profile LIGHT. LIFE. LIBERTY., which provides pioneering insights and sustainable solutions for the society of tomorrow. Through close collaborations with leading research institutions, innovative companies, and renowned cultural organizations, it advances interdisciplinary developments.

With around 17,000 students and approximately 10,000 employees, the University defines Jena as a vibrant, internationally connected city of science and innovation. It attracts scholars, scientists, and students of all disciplines from around the world. as demonstrated by the two Clusters of Excellence »Balance of the Microverse« (funded since 2019) and »Imaginamics. Practices and Dynamics of Social Imagining« (funded since 2026). In autumn 2025, the University of Jena applied for the title of »University of Excellence«. The decision on the new Universities of Excellence will be announced on 2 October 2026.

  • University of Excellence Jena

    With its proposal »Light. Life. Liberty. – Connecting People and Ideas« the University of Jena was successful in the Excellence Competition.

    Panorama Jena
    Image: André Gräf (jenaparadies)

Latest News

  3. Tailored light

    META-ACTIVE Research Training Group of the University of Jena and the Australian National University enters its second funding phase

    • Light
    The image shows metasurfaces that can specifically widen or split ultrashort laser pulses in time.
    Image: Katsuya Tanaka

  4. Research into viruses and green hydrogen is being strengthened

    German Research Foundation approves the new collaborative research centre »VirusREvolution« at the University of Jena and extends the CRC/Transregional Collaborative Research Centre »CATALIGHT« at the Universities of Jena and Ulm

    • Light
    • Life
    In a research laboratory of the CRC/Transregional Collaborative Research Centre »CATALIGHT«: Catalyst solutions with luminescent ruthenium dye, which are irradiated with visible light in the reactor.
    Image: Elvira Eberhardt / Uni Ulm

  5. Double success for Thuringia

    German Science and Humanities Council has approved two new research buildings for Jena: the Imaginamics Center (University of Jena) and SysBrain (Jena University Hospital)

    • Life
    • Liberty
    Rendering of the planned research building »Imaginamics Center« in old University Main Building on Fürstengraben.
    Graphic: Osterwold°Schmidt

  9. Jena receives two Clusters of Excellence

    Friedrich Schiller University has been successful in the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments with its »Balance of the Microverse« and »Imaginamics« Clusters. It therefore fulfils the requirements for an application to become a University of Excellence.

    • Light
    • Life
    • Liberty
    Flag with the profile lines ‘Light. Life. Liberty.’ in front of the main building of the University of Jena.
    Image: Jens Meyer (University of Jena)
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Our Clusters of Excellence

  • Balance of the Microverse

    The cluster is dedicated to microorganisms and has set itself the goal of researching the dynamic balances of microbial communities from the molecular level to complex ecosystems.

    Spokesperson: Prof. Dr Kirsten Küsel

    Excellence Cluster Balance of the Microverse Jena
    Image: Anna Schroll

  • Imaginamics: Practices and Dynamics of Social Imagining

    The Cluster investigates how social ideas and narratives emerge, change and give rise to both conflict and solidarity. The aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of social imagination as the basis for societal debates.

    Spokesperson: Prof. Dr Johannes Grave
    Co-Spokesperson: Prof. Dr Christina Brandt
    Co-Spokesperson: Prof. Dr Joachim von Puttkamer

    Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence initiative "Imaginamics" sit and stand around a table and work together on a flipchart.
    Image: Anna Schroll

Office for Strategic Projects

Universitätshauptgebäude, Room 1.21
Fürstengraben 1
07743 Jena Google Maps site planExternal link

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