Central research institutions
Central research institutions
In addition to its faculties, FAU has a number of central institutions which expand the scope of the research conducted at the University, conduct groundbreaking research or provide academic and scientific services.
Restructure of central research institutions
In its resolution passed on September 30, 2020, the Senate agreed the restructuring of the central research institutions at FAU. During a two year transition phase (2021/2022), FAU research clusters, FAU research centers and FAU competence centers will be set up. Information is available on our intranet (access using IdM log-in).
Direct link to central institutions
FAU profile areas
FAU profile area New Materials and Processes (NMP)
The FAU profile area New Materials and Processes (NMP) promotes and strengthens innovative interdisciplinary research in FAU’s New Materials and Processes key research priority. It identifies new research topics geared to the future and promotes initiatives that further develop the top international and national ranking of this key research priority and the research environment in Erlangen and Nuremberg.
FAU profile area Medical Engineering (FAU MT)
Research into medical engineering has been extremely important at FAU for several decades. FAU and Universitätsklinikum Erlangen work in close collaboration with several hundred people from all faculties and institutes in medical engineering research and teaching and thus help to shape the Medical Valley regional cluster in the Nuremberg Metropolitan Region. The research cluster bundles activities in this key research priority and its tasks include coordinating advisory services for funding and entrepreneurship, as well as setting up degree programs or networking events.
FAU research centers
FAU Research Center for Mathematics of Data (MoD)
At the FAU Research Center for Mathematics of Data – MoD, researchers from various FAU institutions, the Max Planck Center for Physics and Medicine and the ADA Lovelace Center from the Fraunhofer IIS work together to gain a better understanding of the mathematics of large and complex volumes of data. FAU MoD combines expertise and experience from the area of data science with applied mathematics, scientific computing and artificial intelligence in order to tackle the challenges posed by the wide scope of modern research and various innovative industrial sectors.
MoD and the globally connected Nuremberg Metropolitan Region are making a significant contribution to modern research in the area of ‘Mathematics of Data’.
Go to the website of the FAU Research Center for Mathematics of Data
FAU Research Center Embedded Systems Initiative (FAU ESI)
FAU Research Center New Materials (FAU NeW)
The goal of FAU NeW is to connect, strengthen and improve the focus of interdisciplinary work in the areas of materials, target areas, mechanisms, and bioanalysis. In addition to ongoing research projects and modules with close links to practical applications, the research center provides a structured graduate program as well as core facilities for mass spectrometry/formulation for life sciences.
FAU competence units
FAU Competence Unit Engineering of Advanced Materials (EAM)
The FAU Competence Unit Engineering of Advanced Materials (EAM) further develops scientific methods and processes in FAU’s key research priority New Materials and Processes and provides a wide range of infrastructure, expertise and services. It is divided into seven specialist departments and the Graduate School of Engineering of Advanced Materials (GS EAM).
Go to the website of the FAU Competence Unit Engineering of Advanced Materials
FAU Competence Unit Optical Imaging Center Erlangen (OICE)
The FAU Competence Unit Optical Imaging Center Erlangen (OICE) was established in 2012 as one of the central institutions at FAU. It was founded based on the close collaboration between FAU and the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL). OICE’s mission is to provide and coordinate access to high-end optical microscopes in its Core Facility Unit (CFU) and to develop new microscope systems and techniques in its Exploratory Research Unit (ERU). The Educational Training Unit (ETU) provides training for students and researchers in placements and seminars.
FAU Competence Unit for Scientific Computing (CSC)
FAU’s Competence Unit for Scientific Computing (CSC) is the competence center for scientific computing at FAU. It bundles the expertise and experience of more than 40 research institutions at the University. This makes the CSC a unique interdisciplinary cooperation platform that provides the right environment for even the most complex research tasks in numeric simulation and scientific computing.
Go to the website of the FAU Competence Unit for Scientific Computing
FAU Competence Unit for Research Data and Information (CDI)
FAU’s Competence Unit for Research Data and Information (CDI) is a central research institution that provides support to all researchers at the University and at Universitätsklinikum Erlangen with questions and tasks regarding research data management and the CRIS Research Information System. This support includes providing advice with funding applications as well as services for handling research data and e-research projects.
To the website of the FAU Competence Unit for Research Data and Information
Center for Applied Philosophy of Science and Key Qualifications (ZiWiS)(FAU ZIWIS)
At the core of FAU ZIWIS lies the innovative area of applied philosophy of science, which examines the theoretical and practical preconditions and consequences of science as a whole, i.e. the history, ethics and philosophy of science. ZIWIS’ research is provided via an inter-faculty platform and used in collaborative projects. FAU ZIWIS also provides teaching resources and networking opportunities for students and researchers at FAU and offers key qualifications (SQ).
National centers at FAU
Center for National High-Performance Computing Erlangen (NHR@FAU)
The Center for National High-Performance Computing Erlangen (NHR@FAU) is one of nine centers for national high-performance computing at German universities. It provides researchers at FAU and all other German universities access to powerful high-performance computers, education and training, as well as comprehensive technical and scientific support.
The central institutions at FAU boost interdisciplinary collaboration in research, teaching and knowledge transfer going beyond the traditional faculty-based structure.
Center for Research on Teaching and Learning, Innovation and Transfer (ZeLLIT)
ZeLLIT is a central FAU institution and focuses on research on teaching and learning, innovation and transfer. It consists of three FAU institutes:
- the Center for Continuing Education in University-Level Teaching (FBZHL) that focuses on university-level teaching
- the Innovation in Learning Institute (ILI) that focuses on applied research in technology-based learning and teaching and research transfer,
- and the Central Institute for Research on Teaching and Learning (ZiLL) that focuses on interdisciplinary fundamental research into teaching and learning.
This makes ZeLLIT an institution which brings together all aspects of teaching and learning processes at all ages, learning innovation and research transfer according to research insights in particular in university teaching, and developments in society.
Central Institute for Anthropology of Religion(s) (ZAR)
ZAR’s key research fields are ‘Body and Embodiment’, ‘Region and Practices’ and ‘Norms, Normativity and Norm Change’ – key aspects of human life which are investigated in terms of their significance for religion.
Go to the website of the Central Institute for Anthropology of Religion(s)
The following centers fall under the responsibility of the faculties:
Erlangen Center of Islam and Law in Europe
The Erlangen Center of Islam and Law in Europe (EZIRE) researches and teaches on the topic of Islam and Muslim life in Europe, from a multi-disciplinary perspective. In addition to research and teaching, EZIRE also offers various services such as courses, advice, expertise and expert reports.
Center for Physics in Medicine and Engineering
The following research institutions linked to the key tasks of the University also offer fundamental academic and scientific services.
FAU Graduate Center
FAU is committed to providing excellent support for young researchers. The Graduate Center was set up as a key part of this initiative. It supports young researchers, promotes interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and helps international doctoral candidates become part of the University community. Its main objective is to maintain the high quality of education and supervision that doctoral candidates receive at FAU.
Regional Computing Center Erlangen (RRZE)
Regional Computing Center Erlangen (RRZE) is the University’s IT service provider. For students and staff, as well as for FAU’s organizational units, RRZE is the point of contact for information on the University network, web hosting and IT services. Furthermore, RRZE offers training, for example in word processing, spreadsheet programs, image editing or web development.
Language Center (SZ)
The Language Center is a central FAU institution and is responsible for language teaching. It offers both language courses stipulated in the curricula in the philological subjects, for example, and optional language courses in over 20 languages as key qualifications. The Language Center provides a wide range of practice-based courses and a professional learning and teaching environment for students who want to improve their international research and professional profile and FAU staff working in teaching and administration. Every semester, over 10,000 participants register for the language courses offered at the Language Center. Approximately 90% of all FAU students participate in one or more language courses during their studies.
University Library (UB)
The University Library is the main hub for providing literature and information for research, teaching and studying. It runs the open access publication fund and the FAU University Press. In addition, the University Library offers extensive, target-group oriented training courses, plus the UBCoach for individual consultations (including advice on copyright), the free document delivery service FAUdok and assistance with the publication of research data.
Center for Teacher Education (ZfL)
The Center for Teacher Education co-ordinates teaching degrees and placements for all teaching degree programs. It also advises students and is involved in the quality management of degree programs for teachers in training.
The following centers have been set up at FAU by the Bavarian State Ministry to promote international collaboration between Bavarian universities and research institutions in the respective regions:
Bavarian University Center for Latin America (BAYLAT)
BAYLAT is responsible for strengthening existing research collaborations and student exchange programs and encouraging links between Bavaria and Latin America with regard to research projects, events and publications.
Go to the website of the Bavarian University Center for Latin America
Bavaria California Technology Center (BaCaTeC)
Through the Bavaria California Technology Center (BaCaTeC), the Free State of Bavaria supports collaboration between researchers from Bavaria and California as part of the program Bavarian High-Tech Initiative for the Future. BaCaTeC is a central institute for Bavarian universities and is based at FAU.