The Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments is a funding program which promotes groundbreaking research and strategic investments in the German university system. The “Cluster of Excellence” and “University of Excellence” funding lines were created for this purpose. Applications are sent to the German Research Foundation (DFG) and evaluated by a Committee of Experts. Of Germany’s eleven Universities of Excellence, TU Dresden is the only one located in former East Germany.

Clusters of Excellence are interdisciplinary research networks, capable of competing at the international level. Universities must have two Clusters in order to apply for the title of “University of Excellence.” TU Dresden boasts three clusters, which have been funded since 2019. They conduct cutting-edge research in health sciences, smart materials and information technology. This distinction hallmarks TU Dresden's outstanding level of scientific excellence.

TU Dresden belongs to the top one percent of the best universities worldwide. We were renamed a University of Excellence in 2019 – a testament to this outstanding development. In order to maintain and expand potential, TU Dresden is planning strategic measures that will advance international networking, research data infrastructure, innovative strength and equal opportunities, to name but a few.

TUD first received funding as one of eleven Universities of Excellence in Germany in 2012. This Excellence status has initiated dynamic change at TUD: cutting-edge research, excellent appointments and international visibility. This has enabled TU Dresden to consolidate our place among the best German universities and draw closer to world-class status. We will be ready for the next round of the Excellence competition in 2026.