MERCUR
MERCUR is the inter-university funding organization of the University Alliance Ruhr with the aim of jointly developing innovative fields of research and creating long-term structures.
In 2010, the Stiftung Mercator founded the Mercator Research Center Ruhr (MERCUR) together with the three universities of the UA Ruhr. In this form, MERCUR was a unique funding institution with the aim of promoting cooperative projects between the partner universities in research, teaching and administration. The track record to date is impressive: €60 million for over 300 funded projects in 15 years, from which numerous CRCs and RTGs as well as a Cluster of Excellence have emerged.
New phase of science funding
Stiftung Mercator ended its involvement in MERCUR at the end of 2024 and the Rector and Rectors of the UA Ruhr have decided to integrate MERCUR into the UA Ruhr. The focus of the funding is to be sharpened even more in order to further promote the integration process of the UA Ruhr.
Funding will be divided into the following areas from 2025:
- Project funding
- Structural funding
The following strategic goals are to be achieved with project funding
- Development of innovative fields of research
- Expansion of collaborations and
- Promotion of scientists at early career stages (Early Career Researchers)
The structural funding component specifically supports the expansion of long-term structures and thus the further development of the UA Ruhr. The focus is on UA Ruhr Schools in particular.
Details on the funding programs will follow shortly.