Zwei Personen von hinten, Arm im Arm, in blauen T-Shirts mit der Aufschrift "Together for a future-proof society"

"Together for a future-proof society" – that’s the motto of the Ruhr Innovation Lab.

Excellence Strategy
Ruhr Innovation Lab Reviewed

In May, Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University presented their joint proposal as a University Consortium of Excellence.

From 19 to 21 May 2026, a panel of international scientists was on campus to inspect the “Ruhr Innovation Lab”. Under this title, Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University have jointly applied in the Excellence Strategy of the federal government and the states. Their shared goal is to create freedom for new research ideas and to foster networks for a future-proof society. The common research areas are united by the mission to secure prosperity, enable trust in the digital age and safeguard the values of our democracy.

Flaggen von RUB, TU Dortmund und Ruhr Innovation Lab vor der Unibibliothek

In the Excellence Strategy, Ruhr University Bochum and TU Dortmund University are applying jointly as the “Ruhr Innovation Lab.” The subtitle of the proposal reads "An ecosystem for a future-proof society".

At the start of the on-site visit, Bochum’s Rector Martin Paul (left) and his colleague from Dortmund Manfred Bayer presented the concept in a presentation; this photo was taken at the dress rehearsal.

Mehrere Personen im Gespräch an einem Poster

At four posters, the reviewers could discuss with various members of both universities. Pictured here are Nele McElvany, Dortmund’s Vice Rector for Research (in the foreground), and Kornelia Freitag, Bochum’s Vice Rector for Teaching, during the dress rehearsal.

The main part of the on-site visit took place in Ruhr University’s convention center.

Förderturm des Deutschen Bergbau-Museums mit Leuchtschriftzug "Ruhr Innovation Lab"

But you could tell something special was happening in the cities as well. Numerous partners in Dortmund and Bochum showed their support for the Ruhr Innovation Lab, including the German Mining Museum in Bochum.

Zwei Personen mit Ruhr-Innovation-Lab-Shirts und Einhornballons

Roughly 300 people were involved in organizing the on-site visit; the unicorn was used as a symbol for out-of-the-box thinking.

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The written application had already been submitted in November. During the three-day on-site visit, the reviewers had the opportunity to ask a wide range of questions. They met not only with university management, researchers, and students from both universities, but also with partners from academia, industry, and politics. More than 300 participants were involved in preparing the program, which the German Council of Science and Humanities (Wissenschaftsrat) requires all locations to provide for evaluation. This included tours to the research areas as well as discussions with the university councils or interviews with undergraduates.

Integration is already reality

“The connection between our two universities has grown even stronger in recent months,” says Professor Manfred Bayer, Rector of TU Dortmund University. “The Ruhr Innovation Lab is not just a proposal on paper; the integration is already a reality. We want to continue on this path.” Professor Martin Paul, Rector of Ruhr University Bochum, adds: “We thank all members and partners who contributed to the intensive preparation. The team spirit and enthusiasm were clearly tangible, and this will shape our collaboration in the future.”

The members of the Ruhr Innovation Lab Rectorates from left to right: Professor Tessa Flatten (Dortmund Vice President International Affairs), Professor Kornelia Freitag (Bochum Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs), Professor Martin Paul (Bochum Rector), Dr. Achim Dilling (Bochum Chancellor), Markus Neuhaus (Dortmund Chancellor), Professor Petra Wiederkehr (Dortmund Vice President Diversity), Professor Günther Meschke (Bochum Vice-Rector for Research and Transfer), Professor Gerhard Schembecker (Dortmund Vice President Finance), Professor Nele McElvany (Dortmund Vice President Research), Professor Manfred Bayer (Dortmund President), Professor Isolde Karle (Bochum Vice-Rector for Diversity, Inclusion and Talent Development), Professor Achim von Keudell (Bochum Vice-Rector for Structure and Planning), Professor Wiebke Möhring (Dortmund Vice President Academic Affairs)

The two universities have been collaborating within the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) for nearly 20 years together with the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE). The Ruhr Innovation Lab is intended to take the collaboration to a new level: for example, joint research priorities will be further developed systematically, pilot departments will coordinate appointments and course offerings, and research equipment can be shared via a booking system. Measures that prove successful in this experimental space can later be transferred to the alliance with the UDE.

About the Excellence Strategy

Universities that had acquired a sufficient number of Clusters of Excellence by spring 2025 were eligible to apply for the title of University of Excellence or University Consortium of Excellence. The application requires a strategic concept to strengthen structural renewal capacity. This encompasses both cutting-edge research and other aspects such as knowledge transfer, diversity, or international connections. Up to 28 million euros per year can be requested for the measures. The Ruhr Innovation Lab is competing against ten other new candidates. Up to five can receive funding, as ten defending titleholders have already been successful. The decision will be announced on 2 October 2026. Funding will start in January 2027 for an initial period of seven years.

Podcast “Think. Try. Transform.“

You are invited to submit questions for the rectors which will be answered in the 7th episode of the Ruhr Innovation Lab podcast in June. Please email your questions by May 31, 2026 to: hochschulkommunikation@ruhr-uni-bochum.de.