Research at Kiel University
The CAU is Schleswig-Holstein’s only fully-fledged university with a major focus on research. Over time, four dynamic priority research areas have systematically developed which are based on strong disciplines interacting together - Marine Science, Life Science, Societal and Cultural Change, and Nano Surface & Interface Science. Each individual research area makes a substantial contribution towards dealing with at least one of the grand challenges of our time.
The Excellence Strategy
The German Excellence Initiative is continued as an Excellence Strategy. Kiel University has submitted three full applications, and has been successful with two of them. Now, Kiel University is applying for the official title of University of Excellence, which requires at least two successful Cluster applications.
University of Excellence
The CAU submitted its application to become a "University of Excellence" in December 2018 under the title of "Kiel University Interfaces". The "Kiel Way" is based on open-minded dialogue and cooperation between the subjects (interdisciplinarity), as well as collaboration with the city, region and strategic partners (transdisciplinarity).
Research news
Clusters of Excellence
Kiel University has successfully obtained funding for three projects, each for two funding periods, as part of the Federal Excellence Initiative (2006-2019). The Clusters of Excellence “Future Ocean” and “Inflammation at Interfaces”, plus the Graduate School “Human Development in Landscapes”, deal with relevant research issues of our time. In the new Excellence Strategy, Kiel University has been successful with two cluster proposals: “Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation” and "ROOTS - Societal, Environmental and Cultural Connectivity in Past Societies".
Priority research areas at Kiel University
Kiel University’s four priority research areas (KMS - Kiel Marine Science, KLS - Kiel Life Science, SECC - Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change, KiNSiS - Kiel Nano Surface & Interface Science) enable close interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaboration between different research fields on shared core topics. The priority research areas are also interlinked with one another and closely related to the CAU’s eight faculties.
Research projects at Kiel University
Most of the research that is carried out at the CAU is financed using third-party funds, and the volume of work conducted has increased continuously over the years. Around 800 research projects - in national and international partnerships or by individual researchers - are funded by the federal or state government, the EU and by companies. There is also enormous research potential in addition to third-party funding grants.
Research infrastructures
Excellent research infrastructures are an important basis for Kiel University and for Schleswig-Holstein as a science location. They include all facilities, equipment, resources and services scientists need for their research.
As the transdisciplinary transfer of knowledge is so important, these research infrastructures are not only available for use by other universities, but also by companies from the industry. Exchanging findings between university and non-university investigations leads to synergy effects which benefit both fundamental and preventive research.
Institutes like the Centre for Molecular Biosciences (ZMB) or the Competence Center Nanosystem Technology not only enjoy outstanding reputations nationwide, but also offer excellent working conditions to international researchers.
Centre for Molecular Biosciences
Integrity & ethics
Kiel University is a place of research, teaching and supporting early career researchers, and it is therefore fully committed to upholding professional scientific standards and to ensuring that ethical research guidelines are established and adhered to. All scientific work at the CAU is based on the principles of good scientific practice.
Early career researchers
Kiel University feels particularly obliged to support researchers at the start of their careers and offers a range of coordinated funding programmes for young scientists. There is also the Graduate Center, which advises doctoral researchers at the CAU, and the Postdocs Online Portal for postdoc graduates.
Service and advice
Advice on research proposals
The Research Funding divisions at Kiel University offer services and advice on applications, contract management and third-party funds management. They can help in all phases of a research project.
Welcome Centre for international researchers and scholars
The Welcome Centre offers services to international scientists and scholars coming to Kiel University, either as an employee of the university or as a guest professor, visiting researcher, scholar, or fellowship/scholarship recipient. We can advise you on matters such as visas and residence permits, housing, health, liability and accident insurance, registering as a resident, how to open a bank account, the tax office and matters regarding accompanying family members.
Kiel University’s Nobel prize winners
The CAU: excellent science for 353 years
We have been researching and teaching at the CAU at the highest level for over 350 years. The 20th century was a period of ground-breaking inventions - also in Kiel. Seven Nobel prize winners researched and worked here. However, genius did not always go hand in hand with humanity.
