Fields of Focus Research Councils

Each Field of Focus is coordinated by a Research Council, whose task within the specific field is to

• stimulate, guide and support scientific discourse;
• ensure networking within the university and cooperation with non-university partners;
• administer its own budget, usually limited to the start-up funding of any project;
• coordinate and evaluate the individual funding instruments, with external expertise if necessary.

A Research Council consists of up to 17 members of the university. Three members are delegated from each participating faculty, including one member from the Dean’s Office, who ensures research is translated into research-oriented teaching. The number of members of a Research Council increases if a Cluster of Excellence is located in the respective Field of Focus. A Research Council also includes up to six members from non-university partner institutions or other universities closely linked to the specific Field of Focus. Each council works closely with the faculties, but will not assume their tasks of academic self-administration.