Research projects

The majority of research is financed with third-party funding, which Kiel University has managed to steadily increase in recent years. The numerous 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.

DFG projects

Collaborative Research Centres

Completed DFG programmes
Completed projectsSpokespersonTerm

SFB 855: Magnetoelectric Composites - Future Biomagnetic Interfaces

Prof. Dr. Eckhard Quandt

2010 - 2015

SFB 754: Climate - Biogeochemistry Interactions in the Tropical Ocean

Prof. Dr. Andreas Oschlies

2008 - 2019

SFB 677: Function by Switching

Prof. Dr. Rainer Herges

2007 - 2019

SFB 668: Atomic- and Nanoscale Magnetism

Prof. Dr. Roland Wiesendanger (University of Hamburg)

2005 - 2017

SFB TRR 654: Plasticity and Sleep

Prof. Dr. Thomas Münte (University of Lübeck)

2005 - 2017

SFB TRR 24: Fundamentals of Complex Plasmas

Prof. Dr Jürgen Meichsner (University of Greifswald)

2005 - 2017

SFB TRR 22: Pulmonary Allergies

Prof. Dr. Harald Renz (University of Marburg)

2005 - 2014

SFB 617: Molecular Mechanisms of Epithelial Defense

Prof. Dr. Jens-Michael Schröder

2002 - 2009

SFB 574: Volatiles and Fluids in Subduction Zones: Climate Feedback and the Causes of Natural Disasters

Prof. Dr. Kaj Hoernle; Prof. Dr. Timothy John Reston (University of Birmingham)

2001 - 2012

SFB 460:  Dynamics of Thermohaline Circulation Variability

Prof. Dr. Claus Böning

1996 - 2006

SFB 415:  Specificity and Pathophysiology of Signal Transduction Pathways

Kabelitz, Dietrich

1998 - 2010

Priority programmes (SPP)

Priority projects with participation
  • SPP 511:  "Meteor" Expeditions
  • SPP 516:  Evaluation of the "Meteor" Expeditions
  • SPP 527: International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)
  • SPP 1112:  Genome Function and Gene Regulation in Archaea
  • SPP 1115:  Mars and the Terrestrial Planets
  • SPP 1153:  Clusters at Surfaces: Electron Structure and Magnetism
  • SPP 1158: Antarctic Research with Comparative Investigations in Arctic Ice Areas
  • SPP 1165:  Nanowires and Nanotubes: From Controlled Synthesis to Functions
  • SPP 1171:  Early Processes of Centralisation and Urbanisation - Studies on the Development of Early Celtic Princely Seats and their Hinterland
  • SPP 1176:  Climate and Weather of the Sun-Earth-System (CAWSES)
  • SPP 1202:  Ultra-Wideband Radio Technologies for Communications, Localisation and Sensor Applications (UkoLoS)
  • SPP 1207:  Nature Inspired Fluid Mechanics
  • SPP 1209:  The Hellenistic Polis as a Living Space. Urban Structures and Civic Identity between Tradition and Innovation
  • SPP 1233:  Megacities - Megachallenge: Informal Dynamics of Global Change
  • SPP 1236:  Synthesis, "In Situ" Characterisation and Quantum Mechanical Modelling of Earth Materials, Oxides, Carbides and Nitrides at Extremely High Pressures and Temperatures
  • SPP 1239:  Modification of Microstructure and Shape of Solid Materials by External Magnetic Fields
  • SPP 1253: Optimization of Electro-Mechanical Smart Structures
  • SPP 1257:  Mass Transport and Mass Distribution in the Earth System
  • SPP 1266:  Integrated Analysis of Interglacial Climate Dynamics (INTERDYNAMIC)
  • SPP 1276:  Multiple Scales in Fluid Mechanics and Meteorology
  • SPP 1299:  Adaptive Surfaces for High Temperature Applications - The Skin Concept
  • SPP 1307: Algorithm Engineering
  • SPP 1362: Porous Metal-Organic Frameworks
  • SPP 1369:  Polymer Solid Contacts: Interfaces and Interphases
  • SPP 1385:  The First 10 Million Years of the Solar System - A Planetary Materials Approach
  • SPP 1386: Nanostructured Thermoelectric Materials: Theory, Model Systems and Controlled Synthesis
  • SPP 1388: Representation Theory
  • SPP 1391: Ultrafast Nanooptics
  • SPP 1399: Host-Parasite Coevolution - Rapid Reciprocal Adaption and its Genetic Basis
  • SPP 1409:  Science and the General Public: Understanding Fragile and Conflicting Evidence
  • SPP 1420:  Biomimetic Materials Research: Functionality by Hierarchical Structuring of Materials
  • SPP 1423: Process-Spray: Functionalised Solid Particles from Spray Processes - From Powder Property Demands to Tailored Spray Processes and Feed Control
  • SPP 1486: Particles in Contact - Micromechanics, Microprocess Dynamics and Particle Collectives
  • SPP 1516: New Frameworks of Rationality
  • SPP 1573: Physics of the Interstellar Medium
  • SPP 1580: Intracellular Compartments as Places of Pathogen-Host-Interactions
  • SPP 1593: Design for Future - Managed Software Evolution
  • SPP 1599: Caloric Effects in Ferroic Materials: New Concepts for Cooling
  • SPP 1613:  Regeneratively Produced Fuels by Light Driven Water Splitting: Investigation of Involved Elementary Processes and Perspectives of Technologic Implementation
  • SPP 1630: Harbours from the Roman Iron Age until the Middle Ages - Archaeology and History of Regional and Supra-regional Traffic Systems
  • SPP 1655:  Wireless Ultra-High Speed Communication for Mobile Internet Access: "Wireless 100 Gb/s and beyond"
  • SPP 1656: INTESTINAL MICROBIOTA - A Microbial Ecosystem at the Edge Between Immune Homeostasis and Inflammation
  • SPP 1710: Dynamics of Thiol-Based Redox Switches in Cellular Physiology
  • SPP 1736: Algorithms for Big Data
  • SPP 1788:  Study of Earth System Dynamics with a Constellation of Potential Field Missions
  • SPP 1889:  Regional Sea Level Change and Society (SeaLevel)
  • SPP 1935: Dispersitäts-, Struktur- und Phasenänderungen von Proteinen und biologischen Agglomeraten in biotechnologischen Prozessen
  • SPP 1984: Hybrid and multimodal energy systems: System theoretical methods for the transformation and operation of complex networks
  • SPP 2017:  Mountain Building Process in Four Dimensions (4D-MB)
  • SPP 2089:  Rhizosphere Spatiotemporal Organisation - a Key to Rhizosphere Functions
  • SPP 2111: Optische Datenübertragung mittels der nichtlinearen Fourier Transformation basierend auf elektronisch-photonischer Signalverarbeitung
  • SPP 2206: Cooperative Multistage Multistable Microactuator Systems (KOMMMA)

Research units (including clinical research units)

Research training groups

Current research training groups
Research training groupSpokespersonTerm
GRK 2501: TransEvo: Translational Evolutionary Research Prof. Dr. Hinrich Schulenburg2020 -
GRK 2154: Materials for BrainProf. Dr. Rainer Adelung2017- 2023
GRK 1743: Genes, Environment, InflammationProf. Dr. Andre Franke Ph.D.2012-
Completed research training groups
Research training group Spokesperson End of term
GRK 517: Betriebswirtschaftliche Aspekte lose gekoppelter Systeme und Electronic Business Prof. Dr. Sönke Albers 2008
GRK 515: Imaginatio borealis - Perzeption, Rezeption und Konstruktion des Nordens Prof. Dr. Olaf Mörke 2009
GRK 357: Effiziente Algorithmen und Mehrskalenmethoden Prof. Dr. Anand Srivastav 2005
GRK 820: Natürliche Antioxidantien – ihr Wirkungsspektrum in Pflanzen, Lebensmitteln, Tier und Mensch Prof. Dr. Karin Krupinska 2008
GRK 262: Integrative Umweltbewertung Prof. Dr. Otto Fränzle 2002

Heisenberg Programme

Current Heisenberg funding
Heisenberg fundingPrincipial investigatorDuration
Heisenberg professorship: Bausteine zu einer polyphonen Religionsgeschichte der antiken griechischen LiteraturProf. Dr. Andreas Schwab2021 - 2024
Heisenberg position: How is the topography of major orogenic fronts sustained and where is plate convergence accommodated in collisional mountain belts on intermediate timescales? Insights from the Himalayan orogen?Dr. Rasmus Thiede2019 -

EU projects

EU Research Framework Programme Horizon 2020

Collaborative projects
AkcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
3TRIdentification of the Molecular Mechanisms of non-response to Treatments, Relapses and Remission in Autoimmune, Inflammatory, and Allergic ConditionsProf. Philip Rosenstiel2019-2026
BIOMAPBiomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis (CAU Koordinator)Prof. Stephan Weidinger2019-2024
BISONBiodiversity and Infrastructure Synergies and Opportunities for European Transport NetworksProf. Heinrich Reck2021-2022
CardioReGenixDevelopment of Next-Generation Gene Therapies for Cardiovascular DiseaseProf. Oliver Müller2019-2024
chilTERNChildren’s Liver Tumour European Research NetworkDr. Christian Vokuhl2016-2022
CLAIMCleaning Litter by developing and Applying Innovative Methods in European SeasProf. Katrin Rehdanz2017-2022
CoCliCoCoastal Climate Core ServicesProf. Athanasios Vafeidis2021-2025
COSMICSConcepts and tools in molecular spintronicsProf. Richard Berndt2017-2021
DeteCTCsThe first multi-cancer liquid biopsy test for detection of early-stage cancer and minimal residual disease from a blood drawProf. Norbert Arnold2021-2024
EASI-GenomicsEuropean Advanced infraStructure for Innovative GenomicsProf. Andre Franke2019-2023
EBEAMElectron beams enhancing analytical microscopyProf. Nahid Talebi2021-2026
EFFECTEnvironmental Public Goods from Farming through Effective Contract TargetingProf. Uwe Latacz-Lohmann2019-2023
environMENTALReducing the impact of major environmental challenges on mental healthProf. Frauke Nees2022-2027
EUHFORIA 2.0European Heliospheric Forecasting Information Asset 2.0Prof. Bernd Heber2019-2022
EU-STANDS4PMA European standardization framework for data integration and data-driven in silico models for personalized medicineProf. Philip Rosenstiel2019-2024
GoJellyA gelatinous solution to plastic pollutionDr. Jörn Schmidt2018-2022
GrapheneCore3Graphene Flagship Core Project 3Prof. Rainer Adelung2020-2023
IDEA-FASTLiving in Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immune-mediated Inflammatory DiseasesProf. Walter Maetzler2019-2025
IMI-PainCareImproving the care of patients suffering from acute or chronic painProf. Ralf Baron2018-2023
ImmUniverseBetter Control and Treatment of Immune-mediated Diseases by Exploring the Universe of Microenvironment Imposed Tissue Signatures and their Correlates in Liquid BiopsiesProf. Philip Rosenstiel2020-2024
Instand-NGS4PIntegrated and Standardized NGS Workflows for Personalised TherapyProf. Andre Franke2020-2025
MOBILISE-DConnecting digital mobility assessment to clinical outcomes for regulatory and clinical endorsementProf. Walter Maetzler2019-2024
PANDORAParadigm for Novel Dynamic Oceanic Resource AssessmentsDr. Rüdiger Voss2018-2022
Path2IntegrityRotatory role-playing and role-models to enhance the research integrity cultureDipl.-Päd. Nicolaus Wilder2018-2022
PEGASUSPlasma Enabled and Graphene Allowed Synthesis of Unique nano StructuresDr. Thomas Strunskus2017-2022
R4DResilience For DairyDr. Ralf Loges2021-2024
reSEArch-EUreinforcing SustainablE Actions, resilience, cooperation and harmonisation across and by the SEA-EU Alliance  
SEAwiseShaping ecosystem based fisheries managementDr. Rudi Voss2021-2025
SERPENTINESolar EneRgetic ParticlE aNalysis plaTform for the INner hEliosphereProf. Bernd Heber2021-2024
STIPEDTranscranial brain stimulation as innovative therapy for chronic pediatric neuropsychiatric disorderDr. Uwe Niederberger2017-2021
STOPSTORMA Prospective European Validation Cohort For Stereotactic Therapy Of Re-Entrant TachycardiaProf. Oliver Blanck2021-2025
Super-HEARTSuper-HEART: a fault-tolerant and highly efficient energy hub with embedded short-term energy storage for high availability electric power deliveryProf. Reiner Adelung2022-2025
SYMBNETGenomics and Metabolomics in a Host-Microbe Symbiosis NetworkProf. Hinrich Schulenburg2021-2024
SYSCIDA Systems medicine approach to chronic inflammatory disease (CAU Koordinator)Prof. Philip Rosenstiel2017-2022
TRIATLASTropical and South Atlantic Climate-based Marine Ecosystem Predictions for Sustainable ManagementDr. Jörn Schmid2019-2023
WELMOWearable Electronics for Effective Lung MonitoringProf. Inéz Frerichs2019-2022
ERC Starting Grants
AcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
MALEPREGMale pregnancy – Unravelling the coevolution of parental investment and immune defence Prof. Olivia Roth2018-2024
NanoBeamQuantum Coherent Control: Self–Interference of Electron Beams with NanostructuresProf. Nahid Talebi2019-2024
DULICAT Dual Ligand-Enabled Palladium Catalysis: Unlocking Novel Reactivities and Selectivities in Aromatic C–H ActivationProf. Manuel van Gemmeren2021-2026
MicroTMicrobiota-T cell interactions - antigen-specificity and regulation in health and diseaseProf. Petra Bacher2022-2027
ERC Consolidator Grants
AcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
ASIAPASTFrom herds to empire: Biomolecular and zooarchaeological investigations of mobile pastoralism in the ancient Eurasian steppeProf. Cheryl Makarewicz2018-2024
DECORDecorative Principles in Late Republican and Early Imperial ItalyProf. Anette Haug2016-2021
ERC Synergy Grants
AcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
XSCAPEMaterial Minds: Exploring the Interactions between Predictive Brains, Cultural Artifacts, and Embodied Visual SearchProf. Johannes Müller2021-2027
ERC Proof of Concept
AcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
BEAMOLEDBeam-forming OLED with Nanostructured Fluorescence LayerProf. Martina Gerken2020-2022
VASCUGRAFTStrain-stiffening vascular graft with outstanding complianceProf. Christine Selhuber-Unkel2020-2022
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
AcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
HaPpY Comorbidity of cHronic Pain and mood disorders: breaking the vicious cYcleProf. Frauke Nees2021-2025
pHioniC pH and Ion Transport in Pancreatic CancerProf. Anna Trauzold2018-2023
PROTONProton Transport and Proton-coupled TransportProf. Eric Beitz2019-2023
SCIENCE4FUTUREFestioval der Wissenschaft in der Kiel Region 2022/2023Linda Piálek2022-2023
SENNETPorous Networks for Gas SensingProf. Norbert Stock2022-2026
SlateSubmarine Landslides and Their impact on European continental marginsProf. Sebastian Krastel2017-2022
SmartAgeGut-brain-axis: Targets for Improvement of Cognition in the ElderlyProf. Christoph Kaleta2020-2024
SMARTGYsumResearch and Training Network for Smart and Green Energy Systems and Business Models Prof. Marco Liserre2021-2025
Taxol biosynthesisDe nova of transcription regulators from taxol®-producing endophytic fungiProf. Frank Kempken2021-2023
TESLAAdvanced Technologies for future European Satellite ApplicationsProf. Michael Höft2019-2023
WINGRIDWind farm - grid interactions: exploration and developmentProf. Marco Liserre2019-2023
ZuppressorsUnravelling the molecular mechanisms underlying wheat susceptibility to diseaseProf. Eva Stukenbrock2021-2023

Interreg A/B projects

Interreg A/B
AcronymProject titlePrincipal InvestigatorDuration
A&AAccess & AccelerationProf. Carsten Schultz2019-2022
Energize Co2mmunityEnergize Co2mmunityProf. Robert Hassink2020-2021
NEPTUNPlatform for Innovating Water and Climate Adaption Technologies and SolutionsDr. Sönke Bohm2020-2023
PE-Region PlatformPE-Region Platform – Grenzüberschreitende Plattform für Energieeffiziente LeistungselektronikProf. Marco Liserre2020-2022

Federal projects

Joint projects with CAU as coordinator
ProjectPrincipial InvestigatorTerm
CAPTN ENERGY: Wir bringen erneuerbare Energien zur maritimen AnwendungProf. Dr. Frank Meisel2023 - 2025
SpaCeParti (Coastal Fishery, Biodiversity, Spatial Use and Climate Change: A Participative Approach to navigate the Western Baltic Sea into a Sustainable Future)Prof. Dr. Marie-Catherine Riekhof2021 - 2024
The do-it-yourself village? Resonances of civic engagement in rural everyday lifeProf. Dr. Florian Dünckmann2021 - 2023
Finger: Feldstudie zur Impfung gegen EbergeruchProf. Dr. Joachim Krieter 2020 - 2022
WTZ Israel: DARTIS - Entwicklung zu einem automatischen, intelligenten Echtzeit Informationssystem für Frühwarnung und Notfallbereitschaft bei offshore Öl- und Gasoperationen vor der Küste IsraelsProf. Dr. Roberto Mayerle 2019 - 2022
ArctiSense: Entwicklung einer prä-operationellen Anwendung zum Monitoring von SchmelzwassertümpelnProf. Dr. Natascha Oppelt 2019 - 2022
TRACKBIRD: Vogelzug über Nord- und Ostsee: Zugmuster und mögliche Auswirkungen der Offshore-WindenergieProf. Dr. Stefan Garthe 2019 - 2022
Biodiversität innerhalb und zwischen roten europäischen Milchviehrassen - Erhaltung durch NutzungProf. Dr. Georg Thaller 2017 - 2021
ANGUS II: Auswirkungen der Nutzung des geologischen Untergrundes als thermischer, elektrischer oder stofflicher Speicher Prof. Dr. Sebastian Bauer 2017 - 2021

Schleswig-Holstein Competence Centres

Schleswig-Holstein Competence Centres
Competence CentreSpokespersonTerm

Kompetenzzentrum Mittelstand 4.0 Kiel

Prof. Dr. Carsten Schultz

2018 - 2021

Kompetenzzentrum Geo-Energie

Prof. Dr. Andreas Dahmke

2017 - 2021

Kompetenzzentrum Nanosystematik

Prof. Dr. Eckhard Quandt

2013 - 2020 (Phase I-II)

Museen am Meer

Dr. Boris Pawlowski

2011 - 2013

KMSH: Kompetenzzentrum Milch Schleswig-Holstein

Prof. Dr. Georg Thaller

2009 - 2013

GIS: Zentrum für Geoinformation

Prof. Dr. Rainer Duttmann

2009 - 2013

MoinCC: Kompetenzzentrum molekulare Bildgebung für Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft

Prof. Dr. Claus Christian Glüer

2010 - 2014

CeWind: Kompetenzzentrum Windenergie Schleswig-Holstein

Prof. Dr. Friedrich Wilhelm Fuchs

2009 - 2012

MASY - Marine Aquakultur Systemforschung

Prof. Dr. Carsten Schultz

2008 - 2012

Kompetenzzentrum Biomassenutzung Schleswig-Holstein

Prof. Dr. Eberhard Hartung, Prof. Dr. Jens Born

2006 - 2012 (Phase I-II)

KoSSE: Kompetenzverbund Software Systems Engineering

Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Hasselbring

2009 - 2012/13

Academy projects

Foundation Professorships

Kiel University's Foundation Professorships
Foundation Professorship Professor Term Sponsor
Psychosomatische Akutmedizin Aglaja Stirn 2012-2022 Asklepios Westklinikum HH
Gesundheitsökonomie und Epidemiologie für chronische Lungenerkrankungen Roland Diel 2013-2017 Cellestis Ltd. u. Berufsgenossenschaft für Gesundheitsdienste
Gastroenterologie mit Schwerpunkt chronisch-entzündliche Darmerkrankungen Tanja Kühbacher 2013-2023 Asklepios Westklinikum HH
Ophthalmologie Alexa Klettner 2013-2019 Stiftverband
Klinische Chemie Ralf Junker 2014-2019 Dt. Vereinte Gesellschaft für Kl. Chemie
Pneumologie Klaus Rabe 2009- KKH Großhansdorf GmbH
Empirische Arbeitsmarktforschung u. Räuml. Ökonometrie Annekatrin Niebuhr 2009-2015 Institut für Arbeitsmarkt- und Berufsforschung IAB
Milchökonomie Sebastian Hess 2014-2019 MELUR und andere
Musikwissenschaft mit SP Musikalische Editionsphilologie Kathrin Kirsch 2014-2020 Akademie der Wissenschaften und der Literatur Mainz (50%)
Experimentelle Antikörper-basierte Tumor-Immuntherapie N.N. (Ruf erteilt) 5 Jahre Mildred-Scheel-Stiftung