University of Excellence: The Race for the Title

Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg has a great opportunity to be accepted into the circle of German Universities of Excellence from 2027. This coveted title is awarded by the federal and state governments in a tough competition, the Excellence Strategy. It comes with millions in funding that strengthens not just individual areas, but the entire university.

‘If our application for the title of excellence is successful, it will benefit our international visibility. And it will open up financial leeway and freedom that we can use to make our university even more attractive to students, researchers and sponsors.’ This was the outlook presented by JMU President Paul Pauli at an internal university information event on 30 July 2025, to which all students and employees were invited.

At the event, the president, together with Chancellor Uwe Klug and Vice-Presidents Caroline Kisker and Anja Schlömerkemper, provided information on the key points of the strategy with which JMU is entering the race for the title of excellence.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Results of the Feedback Survey

The four members of the University Board provided an overview of the university's key strengths and weaknesses, the strategic goals derived from them, and the measures planned so far to enhance strengths and reduce weaknesses.

The president emphasised that the University Board had not ‘formulated the strategic goals behind closed doors’: From the outset, the deans, department heads of the Central Administration, student representatives, the University Council and external consultants were involved in the strategic considerations.

During the preparatory phase, at the end of 2024 a survey was also conducted among all students and employees. JMU used this to create a strengths and weaknesses analysis and addressed the results in its application for excellence.

The chancellor presented the key results of the survey at the information event. Anyone interested in the details can view the results on the internal JMU website  after logging in with their username and password. 

Outlook: Working Together Towards the Title of Excellence

‘We have presented the current concept to you here,’ said the president. The details will now be worked on intensively, as the application must be submitted by 12 November 2025.

The next important date is in spring 2026, when an international review panel will conduct an on-site visit. In September/October, the German Research Foundation and the Science Council will announce the results of the review and thus the universities that will be funded as Universities of Excellence.

Eleven centres of excellence have been funded since 2019. Ten of these can compete again in the current round. In addition, another eleven universities or consortia are applying for the title – but only up to five new ones will be approved.

‘We must and want to walk the path to the title together with you,’ the president told the university family. ‘We will not impose the planned changes from above. We want to take you all with us on this journey so that the changes are supported by all status groups at the university.’

Web Link

The Excellence Strategy  at JMU

Flyer (pdf) "JMU on the way towards University of excellence status"