Scientists from various backgrounds work together in excellence clusters to do internationally renowned, cutting-edge research at the highest scientific level. These cooperations aim to promote cutting edge research in areas where universities have already developed proven strengths or areas that they wish to expand in the medium term.

Excellence clusters advance the competitiveness and the priorities of a  university thus establishing internationally visible and competitive research fields and academic programmes. Each cluster of excellence receives between three and eight million euros per year.

In the current second phase of the excellence initiative the Technische Universität Dresden submited proposals for two  excellence clusters, among them one renewal proposal: