18.01.2024

Universities of Durham and Tübingen strengthen their strategic partnership

Agreement for new joint investment in research to tackle global challenges

The Universities of Tübingen and Durham have extended their close partnership for a further five years. At the signing of a new cooperation agreement in Tübingen on Thursday, the partners also launched a program to provide start-up funding for joint research projects to tackle challenges facing the whole world. "Durham is one of our closest and most important partners in the UK," said University of Tübingen president, Professor Karla Pollmann: "I am therefore extremely pleased that we will be able to continue our successful cooperation in the coming years."

The UK delegation was led by the Vice-Chancellor of Durham University, Professor Karen O'Brien. She was accompanied by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs, Professor Claire O'Malley, and the Dean of Arts and Humanities, Professor Janet Stewart. President Pollmann led the talks on behalf of the University of Tübingen, supported by the Vice-President for International Affairs and Diversity, Professor Monique Scheer, and the Vice-President of Research and Innovation, Professor Peter Grathwohl. 

Each university is providing 50,000 euros for the new funding program. This seed capital is intended to attract additional third-party funding from national and international funding organizations - an approach that has proven successful in recent years. Researchers at both universities have already acquired several million euros in funding for research programs in the fields of archaeology, plant immunity, climate, landscapes, settlement development and society.

The new funding program will be published on 22 January 2024. Applications may be submitted until May 17, 2024. The funds will be available for projects in the following areas:

• Climate change and clean energy,
• Health and life sciences,
• Heritage and culture,
• Life sciences and the environment,
• Quantum research and technologies,
• Emerging technologies (digital technology, data science and AI).

During the visit, the delegations from Durham and Tübingen also discussed key institutional developments and priorities, including sustainability, cultural heritage, equality, diversity and inclusion. The cooperation between the two universities has existed since 1989 and includes collaboration in research, studies and teaching as well as administration. Student exchange agreements exist in the subjects of chemistry, classical philology and ancient history, geosciences, German studies, philosophy and theology. Both Durham and Tübingen are also members of the Matariki global network of universities.

Karl G. Rijkhoek