Collaborative research

Cutting-edge research at the University of Münster is distinguished by its collaborative and interdisciplinary culture. Our coordinated DFG programmes include Clusters of excellence, Collaborative research centres, Priority programmes, Research units and Research training groups. In addition, a number of outstanding research projects also receive funding from the European commission and the German federal government.

The following overviews include the research projects currently funded at the University of Münster for selected funding formats.

Clusters of Excellence (EXC)
- EXC 2044 - Mathematics Münster: Dynamics – Geometry – Structure
  since 2019
- EXC 2060 - Religion and Politics. Dynamics of Tradition and Innovation
  since 2007
Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) / Transregios (CRC TRR)

Coordinated at the University of Münster
- CRC TRR 332 - Neutrophils: Origin, Fate and Function
  since 2022
- CRC 1459 - Intelligent Matter: From responsive to adaptive nanosystems
  since 2021
- CRC 1450 - Multiscale Imaging of Organ-specific Inflammation (inSight)
  since 2021
- CRC 1442 - Geometry: Deformations and Rigidity
  since 2020
- CRC 1348 - Dynamic Cellular Interfaces: Formation and Function
  since 2018
Involvement of the University of Münster
- CRC 1660 - Hadrons and Nuclei as Discovery Tools
  since 2024 | coordinated at: JGU Mainz
- CRC TRR 175 - The Green Hub: Central Coordinator of Acclimation in Plants
  seit 2024 | Koordination: LMU München
- CRC TRR 393 - Trajectories of Affective Disorders: Cognitive-emotional Mechanisms of Symptom Change
  since 2024 | coordinated at: University of Marburg
- CRC TRR 391 - Spatio-temporal Statistics for the Transition of Energy and Transport
  since 2024 | coordinated at: TU Dortmund
- CRC 1604 - Production of Migration
  since 2024 | coordinated at: University of Osnabrück
- CRC 1557 - Functional Plasticity Encoded by Cellular Membrane Networks
  since 2023 | coordinated at: University of Osnabrück
- CRC TRR 326 - Geometry and Arithmetic of Uniformized Structures (GAUS)
  since 2022 | coordinated at: University of Frankfurt (Main)
- CRC TRR 212 - A Novel Synthesis of Individualisation across Behaviour, Ecology and Evolution: Niche Choice, Niche Conformance, Niche Construction (NC3)
  since 2018 | coordinated at: University of Bielefeld
- CRC 1083 - Structure and Dynamics of Internal Interfaces
  since 2017 | coordinated at: University of Marburg
Priority Programmes (SPP)

Coordinated at the University of Münster
Involvement of University of Münster
- SPP 2451 - Engineered Living Materials with Adaptive Functions
  since 2024 | coordinated at: Leibniz Institute for New Materials
- SPP 2225 - Exit Strategies of Intracellular Pathogens
  since 2024 | coordinated at: RWTH Aachen
- SPP 2410 - Hyperbolic Balance Laws in Fluid Mechanics: Complexity, Scales, Randomness (CoScaRa)
  since 2023 | coordinated at: University of Stuttgart
- SPP 2267 - The Digitalisation of Working Worlds. Conceptualising and Capturing a Systemic Transformation
  since 2023 | coordinated at: FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg
- SPP 2416 - Chitin, Chitosan and Chito-oligosaccharides and Their Interaction with Proteins of the Extracellular Matrix and Cellular Signaling (CodeChi)
  since 2023 | coordinated at: University of Siegen
- SPP 2404 - Reconstructing the Deep Dynamics of Planet Earth over Geologic Time (DeepDyn)
  since 2023 | coordinated at: LMU München
- SPP 2392 - Visual Communication. Theoretical, Empirical, and Applied Perspectives (ViCom)
  since 2022 | coordinated at: University of Frankfurt/Main
- SPP 2389 - Emergent Functions of Bacterial Multicellularity
  since 2022 | coordinated at: TU Dresden
- SPP 2176 - The Iranian Highlands: Resilience and Integration of Premodern Societies
  since 2022 | coordinated at: Deutsches Bergbau-Museum Bochum - Leibniz-Forschungsmuseum für Georessourcen
- SPP 2370 - Interlinking Catalysts, Mechanisms and Reactor Concepts for the Conversion of Dinitrogen by Electrocatalytic, Photocatalytic and Photoelectrocatalytic Methods (“Nitroconversion”)
  since 2022 | coordinated at: University of Bayreuth
- SPP 2080 - Catalysts and Reactors under Dynamic Conditions for Energy Storage and Conversion
  since 2022 | coordinated at: KIT
- SPP 2317 - META-REP: A Meta-scientific Programme to Analyse and Optimise Replicability in the Behavioural, Social, and Cognitive Sciences
  since 2022 | coordinated at: University of Munich
- SPP 2238 - Dynamics of Ore-Metals Enrichment (DOME)
  since 2021 | coordinated at: University of Potsdam
- SPP 2265 - Random Geometric Systems
  since 2020 | coordinated at: Weierstrass Institute for Applied Analysis and Stochastics, Leibniz Institute in Forschungsverbund Berlin e. V.
- SPP 2256 - Variational Methods for Predicting Complex Phenomena in Engineering Structures and Materials
  since 2020 | coordinated at: University of Regensburg
- SPP 2244 - 2D Materials – Physics of Van der Waals [Hetero]Structures (2DMP)
  since 2020 | coordinated at: TU Dresden
- SPP 2237 - MAdLand – Molecular Adaptation to Land: Plant Evolution to Change
  since 2020 | coordinated at: University of Göttingen
- SPP 2248 - Polymer-based Batteries
  since 2020 | coordinated at: FSU Jena
- SPP 2143 - Entangled Africa: Intra-African connections between Rainforest and Mediterranean (ca. 6000 to 500 BP)
  since 2018 | coordinated at: German Archaeological Institute
- SPP 2102 - Light Controlled Reactivity of Metal Complexes
  since 2018 | coordinated at: JGU Mainz
- SPP 1374 - Exploratories for Long-Term and Large-Scale Biodiversity Research (Biodiversity Exploratories)
  since 2009 | coordinated at: University of Berne; Senckenberg Nature Research Society
- SPP 527 - International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)
  since 2009 | coordinated at: Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources
Research Units (FOR) / Centres for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (KFG) / Clinical Research Units (KFO)

Coordinated at the University of Münster
- FOR 5573 - Dynamic Regulation of the Proton Motive Force in Photosynthesis (GoPMF)
  since 2023
- FOR 5415 - Local Xenocracy. Administration and Cultural Entanglement in Pre-Modernity
  since 2023
- FOR 5393 - The Future Smart Town
  since 2023
- KFG 33 - Access to Cultural Goods in Digital Change: Art Historical, Curatorial, and Ethical Aspects
  since 2023
- KFO 342 - Organ Dysfunction During Systemic Inflammation
  since 2019
- KFO 326 - Male Germ Cells: from Genes to Function
  since 2017
Involvement of the University of Münster
- FOR 5663 - Ashkenaz in New Environments: Actors, Practices and Spaces in Central European Jewish History during the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Centuries
  seit 2025 | coordinated at: U Trier
- FOR 5640 - Physiological and Evolutionary Adaptation of Plants to Co-occurring Abiotic and Biotic Challenges (PlantsCoChalleng)
  since 2024 | coordinated at: CAU Kiel
- FOR 5303 - Digital Media in Chronic Disease Self-Management
  since 2023 | coordinated at: LMU München
- FOR 5392 - Consumer Preferences, Consumer Mistakes, and Firms' Response
  since 2023 | coordinated at: University of Düsseldorf
- FOR 5427 - BActerial Renal InfeCtion And DEfense (BARICADE)
  since 2023 | coordinated at: University Hospital of Giessen and Marburg
- FOR 5230 - Financial Markets and Frictions - An Intermediary Asset Pricing Approach
  since 2023 | coordinated at: KIT
- FOR 5321 - Human Rights Discourse in Migration Societies (MeDiMi)
  since 2023 | coordinated at: JLU Gießen
- FOR 5317 - Practices for Referring to Persons: Usage-based Approaches to Personal, Indefinite and Demonstrative Pronouns
  since 2023 | coordinated at: University of Hamburg
- FOR 2848 - Nanoscale Architecture and Heterogeneity of the Mitochondrial Inner Membrane
  since 2019 | coordinated at: University Medical Center Göttingen
- FOR 2738 - Understanding the Behaviour of Multinational Corporations in the Context of International Tax Institutions
  since 2019 | coordinated at: University of Tübingen
- FOR 2812 - Constructing Scenarios of the Past: A New Framework in Episodic Memory
  since 2019 | coordinated at: RU Bochum
Research Training Groups (RTG) / International Research Training Groups (IRTG)
- RTG 3027 - Rigorous Analysis of Complex Random Systems (CoRaSy)
  since 2025
- IRTG 2678 - Functional π-Systems: Activation, Interaction and Application (pi-Sys)
  since 2021 | international partner: Nagoya University, Japan
- RTG 2515 - Chemical Biology of Ion Channels (Chembion)
  since 2019

European Research Council (ERC)

ERC Advanced Grant
- Radical Chemistry with the Hydrogen Atom Through Water Activation (H-dot)
  Duration: 2024 - 2029 | Prof Dr Armido Studer
- Energy Transfer Catalysis: A Highway to Molecular Complexity (HighEnT)
  Duration: 2023 - 2028 | Prof Dr Frank Glorius
- Low Radon and Low Internal Radioactivity for Dark Matter and Rare Event Xenon Detectors (LowRad)
  Duration: 2022 - 2027 | Prof Dr Christian Weinheimer
- Breaking into the Brain-Basement Membranes and the Perivascular Niche (B3M)
  Duration: 2022 - 2027 | Prof Dr Lydia Sorokin
- Amenability, Approximation and Reconstruction (AMAREC)
  Duration: 2019 - 2025 | Prof Dr Wilhelm Winter
ERC Consolidator Grant
- Diffuson-related Transport in Ionically Conducting Solids (DIONISOS)
  Duration: 2024 - 2028 | Prof Dr Wolfgang Zeier
- Overcoming the Curse of Dimensionality through Nonlinear Stochastic Algorithms: Nonlinear Monte Carlo Type Methods for High-Dimensional Approximation Problems (MONTECARLO)
  Duration: 2023 - 2028 | Prof Dr Arnulf Jentzen
- Global Estimates for Non-linear Stochastic PDEs (GE4SPDE)
  Duration: 2022 - 2027 | Prof Dr Hendrik Weber
- Governance in Babylon: Negotiating the Rule of Three Empires (GoviB)
  Duration: 2021 - 2026 | Prof Dr Kristin Kleber
- Correcting Inequality through Law: How Courts Conceptualize Equality in Their Constitutional Jurisprudence (EQUALITY)
  Duration: 2019 - 2025 | Prof Dr Niels Petersen
ERC Starting Grant
- Unraveling novel Archaeal Metabolic Pathways impacting Greenhouse Gas Emissions (ARCHAEBOLIC)
  Duration: 2025 - 2030 | Prof Dr Julia Kurth
- Protein synthesis in organelles (Orgasome)
  Duration: 2024 - 2026 | Dr Alexey Amunts
ERC Proof of Concept Grant
- Next Generation Chiral Fluorine Groups for Molecular Design (ChiroFluor)
  Duration: 2024 - 2025 | Prof Dr Ryan Gilmour
ERC Synergy Grant
- Relics of Ancient Cellular Biochemistry in High-CO2 Subsurface Ecosystems (Archean Park)
  Duration: 2024 - 2030 | Prof Dr Ivan Berg
List of all ERC grant recipients of the University of Münster and their respective projects
EU Horizon Europe / Horizon 2020

Coordinated at University of Münster
- Migration, Diaspora, Citizenship (MDC)
  Duration: 2024 - 2029 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - COFUND postdoctoral programme
- Translational Research Network in Motor Disorder Rehabilitation: Advancing Understanding of Variability in Motor Control and Learning to Enhance Clinical Practice (TReND)
  Duration: 2024 - 2028 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks
- N-Heterocyclic Carbenes on Silicon: from Structure to Function (SMARTFACE)
  Duration: 2024 - 2026 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Sustainable Hydrogen Storage by Advanced Layered Magnesium-based Nanostructured Alloys (SHSBALMBNA)
  Duration: 2024 - 2026 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Preservation and RecognItion of Spatial patterns using Machine learning (PRISM)
  Duration: 2024 - 2026 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Postdoctoral Fellowship
- PLAsticity of perception in real and virtual spaCES (PLACES)
  Duration: 2023 - 2027 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions - Staff Exchange
- A Stratified Treatment Algorithm in Psychiatry: A Program on Stratified Pharmacogenomics in Severe Mental Illness (Psych-STRATA)
  Duration: 2022 - 2027 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Research and innovation action
- Constructing Learning Outcomes in Europe - A Multi-level Analysis of (Under-)Achievement in the Life Course (CLEAR)
  Duration: 2022 - 2025 | funding scheme: EU Horizon Europe - Research and innovation action
- Translational Research on Endometriosis (TRENDO)
  Duration: 2021 - 2025 | funding scheme: EU H2020 - Research and Innovation Staff Exchange
- EU 1.5° Lifestyles: Policies and Tools for Mainstreaming 1.5° Lifestyles
  Duration: 2021 - 2025 | funding scheme: EU H2020 - Research and innovation action
- Photonic Enabled Petascale In-memory Computing with Femtojoule Energy Consumption (PHOENICS)
  Duration: 2021 - 2025 | funding scheme: EU H2020 - Research and innovation action
- Super-Resolving Quantum Imaging and Detection (SURQUID)
  Duration: 2020 - 2025 | funding scheme: EU H2020 - Research and innovation Staff Exchange
Other EU funding programmes

Coordinated at the University of Münster
- Pedagogical Alliance for XR Technologies in (Teacher) Education (PAX)
  Duration: 2024 - 2027 | funding scheme: EU - Erasmus+ - Alliances for Innovation
- Parkinson Vibrating Socks - The Vibrating Socks: Individualized vibrotactile cueing to intervene freezing of gait in Parkinson‘s disease (PVS)
  Duration: 2023 - 2027 | funding scheme: EU - INTERREG VI-Programm Deutschland-Nederland
- Promoting Data Science Education for Teacher Education at the University level (DataSETUP)
  Laufzeit: 2023 - 2026 | Förderformat: EU - Erasmus+ - Cooperation Partnerships
- Victim Protection in Medicine – Exploiting Practical Knowledge of Medical Staff to Enhance the Multi-professional Contact with Victims of Domestic Violence (VIPROM)
  Duration: 2022 - 2027 | funding scheme: EU - Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV)
- Erasmus Mundus Masters Course in Geospatial Technologies (GeoTec)
  Duration: 2021 - 2027 | funding scheme: EU - Erasmus+ - Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
- Network on Evidence-based Physical Activity in Old Age (PhysAgeNet)
  Duration: 2021 - 2025 | funding scheme: EU - COST Actions

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
- lnternational Civic and Citizenship Education Study 2027 (ICCS2027)
  Duration: 2025 - 2029
- Käte Hamburger International Centre "Legal Unity & Pluralism" (EViR)
  Duration: 2021 - 2029
- BEMAOn - Begleitmaßnahmen zum Förderprogramm B@TS
  Duration: 2024 - 2028
- "Int. Wattenmeer: TRICMA2 - Dreifachkrise trifft auf trilaterale Zusammenarbeit in Salzmarschen des Wattenmeers; Vorhaben: Ökosystemfunktionen
  Duration: 2024 - 2028
- SIB-DE_Forschung - Sodium-lon-Battery Deutschland (SIB:DE Initiative) - Eignung der Natriumionen-Technologie für die europäische Energie- und Mobilitätswende"
  Duration: 2025 - 2027
- Große Sprachmodelle zur Automatisierung behördlicher Entscheidungsprozesse unter Realisierung eines starken Datenschutzes (SMARD-GOV)
  Duration: 2025 - 2027
- Verbundprojekt: Begleitung und Erforschung von Renaturierungsmaßnahmen von Moorgebieten durch Treibhausgas-Lasersensorik und Modellierung (MoReNat-Q) - Teilvorhaben: Einsatz von land- und drohnenbasierter Treibhausgas Lasersensorik in Renaturierungsmaßnahmen von Moorflächen und Modellierung
  Duration: 2024 - 2027
- DAM Dekarbonisierung-2: sea4soCiety-2 - Innovative Ansätze zur Verbesserung des Kohlenstoffspeicherpotenzials von Vegetationsküstenökosystemen; Vorhaben: Treibhausgas-Dynamik von Küstenökosystemen
  Duration: 2024 - 2027
- Forschungsverbund Leistung macht Schule (LemaS)
  Duration: 2018 - 2027
- Co-freie, Fe-basierte Schichtoxide als Elektrodenmaterialien in Li-Ionen Batterien (CofFeE)
  Duration: 2024 - 2026
- Forschungsfertigung Batteriezelle Deutschland - Innovationslabore (FoFeBat4)
  Duration: 2024 - 2026
- NaSeFest - Natrium-Schwefel Feststoffbatterien
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Lithium-Batterie mit hoher elektrochemischer Performance und Sicherheit (LiBEST3)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Kommunikation privater Hochschulen - Analyse der Organisation, Ziele und Sichtbarkeit (KOPRIHO)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- KAFEBAR - Kalium-basierte Feststoffbatterien für Technologiediversität und Resilienz
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Skalierbare Mehrkanal Quantenkommunikationsplattform zur Bereitstellung von supraleitenden Detektoren mit angepassten Detektormerkmalen (MultiQomm)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Charakterisierung von Faktoren, die an der Entstehung bakterieller Resistenz gegen Phagentherapie beteiligt sind (PhageResist)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Optimierte Natrium-Feststoffbatterien mit neuen Anoden basierend auf Kohlenstoffgerüststrukturen (NATTER)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Entwicklung und Transfer von kosteneffizienten, nachhaltigen und sicheren Dual-Ionen-Batterien für stationäre Energiespeicherlösungen (TransDIB)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Materialinnovationen für Schwefel-Silizium-Festkörperbatterien - Design, Aufbau und Bewertung von Prototypzellen (MaSSiF)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Antizipation 3-dimensionaler Wellenfelder (ErUM-Wave)
  Duration: 2023 - 2026
- Entwicklung, Assemblierung und Finalisierung der prismatischen Hardcase- und Pouchzelle - Teilvorhaben: Entwicklung von Elektroden- und Zelldesigns für prismatische und Pouch-Zellen sowie Identifizierung und Integration innovativer Fertigungstechnologien (FoFeBat2)
  Duration: 2021 - 2026
- Interdisziplinäres Lehrprogramm zu maschinellem Lernen und künstlicher Intelligenz (InterKI)
  Duration: 2021 - 2025
- ALANO - Alternative Anodenkonzepte für sichere Feststoffbatterien
  Duration: 2021 - 2025
- Ressentiment als affektive Grundlage von Radikalisierung
  Duration: 2020 - 2025
- Kompetenzcluster FestBatt
  Duration: 2021 - 2025
- LimLi - Überwinden von Limitierungen in Li-lonen Batterien
  Duration: 2019 - 2025
Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)

Last updated: 05/2025

Collaborative research

DFG funding programmes

Clusters of Excellence (EXC)

Collaborative Research Centres (CRC) / Transregios (CRC TRR)

Coordinated at the University of Münster

Involvement of the University of Münster

Priority Programmes (SPP)

Coordinated at the University of Münster

Involvement of University of Münster

Research Units (FOR) / Centres for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences (KFG) / Clinical Research Units (KFO)

Coordinated at the University of Münster

Involvement of the University of Münster

Research Training Groups (RTG) / International Research Training Groups (IRTG)

Funding programmes of the European Commission (EU)

European Research Council (ERC)

EU Horizon Europe / Horizon 2020

Coordinated at University of Münster

Other EU funding programmes

Coordinated at the University of Münster

German federally funded projects (selection)

Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)

Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK)