Research profile

At FAU, our motto of moving knowledge expresses our wish to pull together and push ahead with our central priorities for the future –  freedom and responsibility, life and health,  sustainability and resilience. Our Profile and Research Centers are the engine driving groundbreaking findings from the interdisciplinary collaboration within our university which offers the entire spectrum of academic disciplines. The Competence Centers provide all disciplines with the infrastructure and expertise resulting from their research.

Zwei Personen sitzen mit einem vierbeinigen Roboter auf einer Campus-Wiese der FAU.

Key research priorities at FAU

Our research paves the way for pioneering innovations. FAU’s academic excellence rests on the foundation of the key research priorities “Understanding norms, cultural practices and social formations”, “Targeting environmental and economic challenges”, “Engineering transformative healthcare”, “Exploring principles of nature” and “Developing future technologies”, manifested in our Profile Centers, Research Centers and Competence Centers .

All prerequisites are met for researchers at FAU to tackle the greatest challenges of our times at the highest level. At FAU, research is not restricted to laboratories and libraries, rather it becomes a dynamic process that is driven by collaboration and dedication.

Exploring
the principles of
nature
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Targeting
environmental and economic challenges
Mehr
Understanding
norms, cultural practices and social formations
Mehr
Developing
future
technologies
Mehr
Engineering
transformative
health care
Mehr
Profile Centers, Research Center, Ceompetence Centers

FAU Profile Centers

Profile Centers shape the research profile of FAU with a wide range of cutting-edge research projects, both in collaborative research and excellent individual research.

FAU Profile Centers
A researcher at a complex machine.

FAU Research Centers

Research Centers are central research institutions that have close links to the higher-level key research priorities at FAU and are involved in at least one collaborative project.

FAU Research Centers
Two researchers in a laboratory.

FAU Competence Centers

A Competence Center is a central institution with a cross-sectional function, providing expertise and support across the entire spectrum of research.

FAU Competence Centers
Three students in a seminar room.

Research across subject boundaries

With its wide spectrum of subjects, FAU has the potential to pool research topics across subject boundaries and to bridge the gap to current pressing issues. As one of the largest research institutions in Germany, we are home to more than 4,000 researchers who dedicate their passion and innovation to carrying out research in 5 key research priorities, 5 Profile Centers, 5 Research Centers, 6 Competence Centers and many other projects, all aimed at exploring the major questions we face in our world today.

Substantial third-party funding for research

With nearly 250 million euros in third-party funding, FAU is in a very strong position for both individual and collaborative research. FAU is involved in a number of collaborative research centers, research training groups, DFG research units and DFG priority programs, with FAU researchers often assuming the role of spokesperson. Researchers at the University are regularly awarded prizes in recognition of their outstanding performance. FAU ranks highly both in national and international rankings.

Excellent support for early career researchers

With our own programs such as the FAU head of junior research group concept, FAU recognizes the importance of investing in effective support for early career researchers.