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JLU in the Excellence Strategy

Three approved clusters – TAM, POLiS, and CPI – will strengthen cutting-edge research over the long term.

A person looks at a reflective object in front of several digital surfaces.

Working together towards Excellence

Following the decision in the competition for the title ‘University of Excellence’, Justus Liebig University of Giessen (JLU) and Philipps University of Marburg (UMR) are moving forward together. Even without the title, both longstanding universities will work together with the University of Applied Sciences of Central Hesse (THM) to continue proactively expanding excellent cutting-edge research and strong innovation in the region. A total of four clusters of excellence in Giessen and Marburg provided the necessary impetus for the joint application H_CORE – Hessian Collaboration for Research Excellence in the most competitive funding category of the nationwide Excellence Strategy. 

Joint press release of the two universities from 2nd October 2026 (german only)

 

A person reaching for a yellow object with their hand. The hand is covered with technical sensors.

 

CPI makes fundamental and internationally leading contributions to cardio-pulmonary research and the development of therapies for heart and lung diseases.

Cardiopulmonary Institute – CPI
Two people wearing lab coats are working with chemicals in a laboratory.

 

POLiS is advancing next-generation battery research to lay the groundwork for more powerful, reliable, and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions.

Post Lithium Storage – POLiS
Hands handling a glowing technical device.

 

TAM aims to understand fundamental processes of human perception, thinking, and behavior that enable adaptation to constantly changing conditions.

The Adaptive Mind – TAM

A Fixed Presence on the Excellence Map

A section of a map of Germany on which the clusters of excellence at the universities are marked.Three Clusters of Excellence in perception, cardio-pulmonary, and battery research make Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) one of the most successful universities in Germany’s national Excellence Strategy. Under Giessen’s leadership, JLU, Philipps University Marburg, and Technical University Darmstadt are investigating human adaptability in the Cluster of Excellence TAM – The Adaptive Mind. In the CPI – Cardio-Pulmonary Institute, JLU collaborates successfully with Goethe University Frankfurt and the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research in Bad Nauheim. In the POLiS – Post Lithium Storage cluster, JLU, the University of Ulm, and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) are conducting research on the future of energy storage. A research group from Giessen’s bioinformatics department is also involved in the M4C – Microbes for Climate Cluster of Excellence, led by Philipps University Marburg (UMR), the Marburg Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, and the LOEWE Center SYNMIKRO.

Funding Decision: Clusters of Excellence (Press release, 22 May 2025) 

 

Image Sources: Cover Image: Franz Möller; Image "CPI": Rolf K. Wegst; Image "POLiS": Ralf Niggemann; Image "TAM": Till Schürmann.