Goethe-Universität — Press releases

Goethe University PR & Communication Department

Nov 21 2025

13:44

This year, 620 scholarship recipients will receive funding as part of the program that recognizes outstanding academic performance and social commitment.

Goethe University Sets New Record in Deutschlandstipendium Scholarship Recipients

After surpassing the 600-scholarship milestone last year, this year the remarkable generosity of private individuals, companies, and institutions enabled Goethe University to set a new participant record. A total of 280 private individuals, 45 companies, and 52 nonprofit organizations donated a €1,116,000 to Goethe University in 2025, which according to the matching principle was doubled by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). This translates into a total of €2,232,000 raised for scholarship recipients.

FRANKFURT. The Deutschlandstipendium is an excellent opportunity for students to receive financial support while focusing on their academic career. This year, 620 talented Goethe University students have the chance to benefit from the government-funded scholarship program. For the first time, the annual maximum limit based on student numbers, as stipulated by the Scholarship Program Act – which foresees 617 scholarships for Goethe University in 2025 – has been exceeded. Scholarships beyond this quota come from the unused scholarship quota of other universities in Hesse and must be applied for through the state.

Scholarship recipients are selected, among others, by jurors from the Goethe University’s 16 faculties. One of the key eligibility requirements is strong academic performance and students’ social engagement and commitment also receive significant consideration. In addition to being of great value to society, such commitment also helps cultivate essential skills like teamwork, a sense of responsibility and empathy, which are highly important in professional life.

Equal opportunities are a cornerstone of the Deutschlandstipendium: 32 percent of scholarship recipients have a migration background; 16 percent hold a foreign passport. Fourteen percent receive support through the Federal Students Assistance Act (BAföG), and 41 percent are first-generation college students. Beyond financial support, the scholarship offers recipients the opportunity to grow personally and professionally through the Young Leadership Program. In addition to individualized mentoring in project teams, this includes extracurricular programs and offerings, such as seminars, workshops, best-practice lectures, and networking opportunities. Together with fellow students from various disciplines and degree programs and guided by mentors from outside the university, scholarship recipients collaborate in project teams to develop innovative ideas.

This year’s award ceremony featured a diverse and engaging program. Goethe University’s Vice President for Study and Teaching, Prof. Viera Pirker, welcomed the guests and thanked all Deutschlandstipendium sponsors and supporters. In her speech, Pirker addressed the new scholarship recipients, emphasizing: “You are building the future of our society.” She shared her enthusiasm that the university can accompany students on their journey toward this goal.

Goethe University alumnus and stand-up comedian Jakob Schwerdtfeger delivered an entertaining and unique keynote on the topic “Masterpiece.” Schwerdtfeger, who studied art history, captivated the audience, including by performing an impromptu rap song based on words spontaneously suggested by the crowd.

Art was a major theme at this year’s Deutschlandstipendium Awards, whose vernissage format gave attendees the opportunity to view artworks available for auction through an online platform provided by the Wilhelm Döbritz Art and Auction House (Frankfurt). The auction runs until December 1, and all proceeds will be donated to the Deutschlandstipendium. Among the pieces are six created by students from the Institute for Art Education, two by Dr. Manfred Fuchs, and Ottmar Hörl's “White Rose”, acquired during the pandemic thanks to funding by Biotest AG.

A total of 7,972 scholarships have been awarded at Goethe University Frankfurt since 2011. According to the matching principle, the amount raised by the university for Deutschlandstipendium recipients is doubled each year by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR). In 2025, 280 private individuals, 45 companies, and 52 nonprofit organizations donated a total of €1,116,000 to Goethe University Frankfurt. Including the federal funds, this means a total of €2,232,000 has been raised for scholarship recipients.

Image for download: https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180582545

Caption: This year, a record 620 students at Goethe University have received a Deutschlandstipendium. A total of 280 private individuals, 45 companies, and 52 nonprofit organizations donated an amount of €1,116,000. Photo: Uwe Dettmar

Nov 19 2025

13:52

Goethe University, the Jesuit Order, and the Diocese of Limburg sign letter of intent for collaboration

A Campus with a Strong Connection to Society

The Jesuit Order, as the carrier of the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology (PTH), the Diocese of Limburg, and Goethe University Frankfurt aim to collaborate more closely in the future. A newly signed letter of intent outlines the goal of deepening the cooperation between the university and the higher education institution, as well as jointly strengthening teaching and research offerings. This initiative seeks to secure the future of the Catholic Theology field of study as well as the Sankt Georgen campus.

FRANKFURT. The letter of intent focuses on an inter-institutional cooperation between Goethe University’s Faculty of Catholic Theology and PTH Sankt Georgen, forming an inter-institutional faculty as permitted under the Hessian Higher Education Act. Students will be enrolled at both institutions, with faculty members from both available to them. Joint research projects will also be intensified. A cooperation council will address fundamental questions related to the inter-institutional faculty.

The university is also considering the acquisition of the Sankt Georgen campus using funds from the foundational assets of its endowment to specifically utilize the site for research, teaching, and international exchange. These funds come from endowment earnings and foundational assets, which must generally be preserved in their original form during such an acquisition. The purchase will not draw on financial resources from the university’s current budget. From Goethe University’s perspective, this investment not only offers opportunities for academic work and student housing but also provides a chance to relocate units currently housed in rented spaces to Sankt Georgen, thereby reducing expenses – an important goal in light of the budgetary constraints set by the state of Hesse.

“The future of smaller academic fields – among them Catholic Theology – is a matter of great importance to us, and this cooperation can make a significant contribution,” explains Goethe University President Prof. Enrico Schleiff. “At the same time, the Oberrad Campus has the potential to become a site where the humanities, social sciences, and liberal arts take center stage in societal debates with renewed vigor. As a complement to Westend Campus, this location offers the opportunity to conduct research and teach in a different environment, whether through flexible shared-office solutions, uninterrupted masterclasses, or international conferences. The available space also offers opportunities for the development of much-needed student housing – a strategic step that positions Goethe University as an active partner in addressing pressing urban and societal challenges."

Speaking on behalf of the Jesuit order, Provincial Father Thomas Hollweck SJ states: “We Jesuits aim to enhance our global network of around 200 universities and colleges by collaborating with Goethe University to establish a theology site in Germany that strengthens Catholic theology’s engagement with neighboring disciplines and in public discourse. Additionally, we seek to provide high-quality education for various professional fields that have emerged and continue to evolve within Germany’s dioceses. The campus will continue to serve research and teaching as well as global church networking. It will offer education that enables young people to engage existentially and spiritually with questions of worldview and faith.”

Bishop Dr. Georg Bätzing of Limburg, speaking on behalf of the dioceses supporting Hochschule Sankt Georgen (Hamburg, Osnabrück, Hildesheim, and Aachen), stated: “Frankfurt’s strength as a hub for theological research and teaching, deeply shaped by interreligious and intercultural connections, is further enhanced by the strengthened cooperation between Goethe University’s Faculty of Catholic Theology and Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology. This collaboration not only raises the profile of theology in Hessen and across Germany but also internationally, thanks to the Jesuits’ commitment. It provides significant momentum for a theology that is both academically robust and globally engaged.”

Following the signing of the Letter of Intent, the specific goals of this partnership will now be refined, and a detailed agreement will be developed to outline the intended structural collaboration. This agreement will be reviewed by the Jesuit committees, the diocese, and the university.

The two Frankfurt-based higher education institutions already maintain numerous connections, including a joint dual master’s program in Social Ethics in Healthcare, as well as several other collaborations between Sankt Georgen, the Faculty of Catholic Theology as well as other Goethe University faculties.

Nov 14 2025

14:16

This year’s “Scientist of the Year” award goes to medical professionals Maria Vehreschild and Thomas Oellerich, while the “New Horizon – President's Prize" is awarded to the startup Modulux 3D

Shaping Transformations: Goethe University Honors Researchers

Every two years, Goethe University presents the “Scientist of the Year" award to researchers from the university. Annually, the President of Goethe University bestows the New Horizon Prize. The awards honor outstanding research and teaching achievements.

FRANKFURT. “Nothing is as constant as change," University President Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff emphasized in his welcome address at the festive award ceremony, referencing this famous quote by Heraclitus to make the point that changes also require creative design. “Today, we honor researchers who shape change – through knowledge, commitment, and a spirit of discovery, not just for themselves, but also for future generations, future leaders, and ultimately for society as a whole." Schleiff expressed his gratitude to Gunther Ruppel, Chairman of the Board of the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation, Dr. Christian Zschocke, the initiator of the New Horizon Award, as well as the two laudators, Prof. Dr. Maike Windbergs Prof. Dr. Hubert Serve.

The 2025 “Scientist of the Year Award" from the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation was presented to two physicians. The first was Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild, “for her outstanding research in the field of infectiology and microbiome research, as well as her exceptional commitment to students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers," as stated in the award's reasoning. The other award went to Prof. Dr. Thomas Oellerich, “for his groundbreaking research in the field of leukemia and lymphomas and his remarkable dedication to students, doctoral candidates, and postdoctoral researchers." The recognition of the two awardees was delivered by Prof. Dr. Hubert Serve, Director of Medical Clinic 2 at University Hospital Frankfurt. Serve highlighted Thomas Oellerich's thirst for knowledge and drive for action, saying that his papers, published in top-tier journals, carried a distinctive manuscript style. Maria Vehreschild, he noted, is shaping the field of infectiology in Germany; she was among the first in her field to address post-COVID conditions. Concluding his remarks, Serve expressed his pride and gratitude that both researchers are part of Medical Clinic 2.

The “Scientist of the Year Award" is presented every two years by Goethe University Frankfurt in collaboration with the Kassel Foundation to honor an outstanding researcher at Goethe University who serves as a role model. The award includes a prize of €25,000. Recipients of the “Scientist of the Year" award are professors at Goethe University who have demonstrated exceptional research achievements and have made significant contributions to supporting early-career researchers. Previous awardees include physicist Prof. Dr. Hannah Elfner, microbiologist Prof. Dr. Inga Hänelt, and atmospheric researcher Prof. Dr. Joachim Curtius.

This year's recipient of the “New Horizon President's Prize" is a team: Frankfurt-based Modulux 3D is composed of scientists, biotechnologists, optics specialists, and business developers. The team, consisting of Dr. Francesco Pampaloni, Louise Breideband, Levin Hafa and Zeeshan Mahmood, is working on an alternative to animal testing and has developed an innovative solution with the 3D bioprinter LUMINATE. Using patented technology that operates with colliding laser beams, it enables the creation of complex tissue and organ models. LUMINATE offers a promising option for pharmaceutical research seeking to reduce animal testing. Modulux 3D is supported by the Main/Rhein startup network (Unibator at Goethe University, HIGHEST at TU Darmstadt, as well as FUTURY the Future Factory). This year's award presenter was Prof. Dr. Maike Windbergs, Managing Director of the Institute for Pharmaceutical Technology, who pointed out that Modulux 3D had courageously applied the pioneering work in Physical Biology developed by Prof. Dr. Ernst Stelzer at Goethe University. The team has also gained international partners and secured capital for their promising alternative to animal testing, Windbergs highlighted in her commendation.

With the €5,000 “New Horizon President's Prize," the President of Goethe University honors an individual or team at the university who, through their academic work or other forms of commitment to Goethe University, explores new ways of thinking while demonstrating curiosity, optimism, courage, and openness. The New Horizon Prize was awarded to business education expert Dr. Christin Siegfried in 2022, inclusion researcher Lukas Gerhard in 2023, and the Science Garden team in 2024. The New Horizon initiative was launched in 2016 by attorney Dr. Christian Zschocke to foster individuals with initiative and optimism. This year, the prize money was doubled thanks to the startup support fund Futury Capital.

About the Alfons and Gertrud Kassel Foundation: Established in 2007, the foundation aims to promote science, research, and teaching at Goethe University. It is funded by the endowment left by its founder, Gertrud Kassel. Through this endowment, the foundation supports numerous university projects.

Images for download
Scientist of the Year: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180376367
New Horizon: http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180376433

Captions:
Scientist of the Year: Prof. Dr. Maria Vehreschild and Prof. Dr. Thomas Oellerich
New Horizon: Team Modulux 3D (from left to right): Levin Hafa, Dr. Francesco Pampaloni and Louise Breideband

Photos: Uwe Dettmar/Goethe University Frankfurt

Nov 14 2025

09:46

Global study’s ranking includes the one percent of scientists cited most frequently in scientific journals

Seven Goethe University researchers among the most cited scientists in the world

Seven of the 6,900 most cited scientists in the world conduct research at Goethe University Frankfurt. That is the result of the current citation ranking of the “Web of Science”, published by Clarivate Analytics. Each year, the ranking evaluates journal articles mainly from the natural sciences, engineering and medicine.

FRANKFURT. In most cases, it is fundamental scientific findings that result in a paper being cited frequently by other scientists. That is why citation frequency serves as an indicator of the published articles' scientific significance as well as the authors' visibility in the scientific community.

Once a year, information and technology company Clarivate Analytics evaluates its “Web of Science” citation database and publishes the “Highly Cited Researchers” ranking. The current ranking includes around 6,868 scientists, in no particular order, who belonged to the one percent of authors whose scientific articles in the natural and engineering sciences, medicine, and the categories ”Economics and Business” and “Social Sciences” were cited most frequently between 2014 and 2024, either within their own category or in different subjects (“cross-field”).

The ranking only takes into account journal articles and not book contributions. Further, articles with more than 30 authors or so-called group authorships in large international research consortia are also not included in the study.

Here are the “highly cited” Goethe University researchers of 2025:

Professor Florian Büttner
DKTK-Professor for “Bioinformatics in Oncology” at Goethe University / German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) / German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
https://mlo-lab.github.io/
in the “cross-field” category

Professor Ivan Đikić
Director of Goethe University's Institute for Biochemistry II (Molecular Cell Biochemistry)
https://biochem2.com/management
in the “Biology and Biochemistry” and “Molecular Biology and Genetics” categories

Professor Florian Greten
Director of Georg Speyer Haus – Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy / Professor of Tumor Biology at Goethe University / Spokesperson of the LOEWE Center Frankfurt Cancer Institute
https://georg-speyer-haus.de/
https://fci.health/
in the “cross field” category

Professor Gerhard Hummer
Director of tthe Max Planck Institute of Biophysics / Professor at Goethe University’s Institute of Biophysics
https://www.biophys.mpg.de/theoretical-biophysics
in the “cross field” category

Professor Sibylle Loibl
Goethe University’s Faculty of Medicine / German Breast Group Forschungs GmbH, Neu-Isenburg
http://www.onkologie-bethanien.de/unser-centrum/aerzteteam/prof-dr-med-sibylle-loibl.php
in the “clinical medicine” category

Professor Stefan Offermanns
Director at the Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim / Professor of Pharmacology at the Center for Molecular Medicine, Goethe University Frankfurt
https://www.mpg.de/457037/herz-lungenforschung-offermanns
in the “cross field” category

Professor Klement Tockner
Director General of the Senckenberg Society / Professor for Ecosystem Research at Goethe University Frankfurt
https://www.senckenberg.de/en/about-us/organisation/director-general/
in the „cross field“ category

Picture download:
https://www.uni-frankfurt.de/180364698

Captions:
Professor Florian Büttner, Photo: private
Professor Ivan Đikić, Photo: Uwe Dettmar for Goethe University
Professor Florian Greten, Photo: Uwe Dettmar for Goethe University
Professor Gerhard Hummer, Photo Shau Chun Shin for Max Planck Institute of Biophysics
Professor Sibylle Loibl, Photo: Joppen for GBG Forschungs GmbH
Professor Stefan Offermanns, Photo: private
Professor Klement Tockner, Photo: Sven Tränkner for Senckenberg

Further Information:
https://clarivate.com/highly-cited-researchers/

Nov 12 2025

15:15

A clear vision for a globally leading hub of cutting-edge research

Excellence Strategy: Rhine-Main Universities submit joint proposal as a University Excellence Consortium

As part of the Excellence Strategy of the federal and state governments, the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) – consisting of Goethe University Frankfurt, Technical University of Darmstadt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz – submitted a joint proposal today to be recognized as a University Excellence Consortium under the Universities of Excellence funding line. The proposal, titled “RMU-EXCITE – Excellent. Collaborative. Transformative.", highlights the shared goal of transforming the Rhine-Main Universities alliance into an internationally leading center for cutting-edge research that provides groundbreaking solutions to complex scientific and societal challenges. At the same time, the alliance is committed to fostering a research culture that strengthens the connection between science and society, emphasizing dialogue, participation, and the collaborative creation of knowledge as integral components of scientific excellence.

This proposal was made possible by the significant success of the three universities in the Clusters of Excellence funding line – in May, five RMU cluster initiatives were approved for funding starting in 2026.

Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff, current RMU spokesperson, states: “We as the RMU have steadily deepened our cooperation over the past decade – and in the last three years, we have worked intensively toward this milestone. My colleagues Tanja Brühl, Georg Krausch, and I sincerely thank the many RMU members who helped shape the proposal, contributing their innovative ideas and expertise with unwavering enthusiasm. This was true teamwork – across departments, campuses, and universities. Together, we have accomplished a great deal over these three years, and this proposal is just one of the results."

Schleiff, Brühl and Krausch are proud of the result and firmly convinced that RMU-EXCITE represents a forward-thinking strategy that builds on RMU's diverse successes across all performance dimensions and further unlocks the partnership's potential.

“'RMU-EXCITE – Excellent. Collaborative. Transformative.' is more than the title of our excellence alliance proposal – it embodies the very spirit of RMU. Through excellence in research, teaching, and societal engagement – and through collaboration among our researchers, institutions, industry partners, and international networks – we drive the sustainable and digital transformation of society and the economy. We are inspired by new members joining the RMU, exploring emerging research fields together, and fostering the next generation of academic leaders – empowering them to shape a sustainable and humane future with innovation and purpose," Schleiff added.

In its proposal as a University Excellence Consortium, the RMU is strongly supported as a cross-state alliance by its home states of Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Clemens Hoch, Minister of Science for Rhineland-Palatinate: “The submission of the Rhine-Main Universities' proposal today sends a strong signal for scientific excellence and collaboration at the heart of Germany. Rhineland-Palatinate stands firmly alongside Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and its partner universities in Frankfurt and Darmstadt. With the administrative agreement concluded between Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, we have established a reliable foundation to sustainably support this cross-state cooperation. Together, we aim to further strengthen top-level research – research that sets international standards and provides answers to the central challenges of our time."

Hesse's Minister of Science Timon Gremmels: “For the first time in history, universities in Hesse are competing for the prestigious title of University of Excellence and the accompanying funding. Strong alliances are entering the competition with equally strong proposals. I sincerely thank everyone involved – especially the leadership teams of the applicant universities. Over the past months, they have prepared their proposals with exceptional dedication and commitment. Collaboration within these alliances has long been a hallmark of their success. I therefore warmly welcome this proposal process, as cooperation allows individual strengths to be combined and synergies created that reach far beyond each university. We support and accompany both proposals with great determination and hope that, following our success in the Excellence Cluster competition, we will once again achieve strong results in the Universities of Excellence funding line."

The applicant universities or consortia will be evaluated in the next phase through on-site visits conducted by international review panels between April and June 2026. In October 2026, the Excellence Commission, consisting of experts from all research fields as well as federal and state ministers responsible for science and research, will decide on the funding of the Excellence Universities or Excellence Consortia. Up to fifteen Excellence Universities or Excellence Consortia can be funded for the period from 2027 to 2033.

The Excellence Strategy: Financial Support and International Visibility

The Excellence Strategy aims to sustainably strengthen Germany as a hub for science and enhance its international competitiveness. It is jointly implemented by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Science and Humanities Council (Wissenschaftsrat) through two funding lines: the Cluster of Excellence funding line, which supports internationally competitive research fields at universities or university alliances, and the Universities of Excellence funding line, which aims to permanently strengthen universities either as individual institutions or as university consortia, enhancing their international leadership in research based on successful Clusters of Excellence. Individual universities must have at least two Clusters of Excellence, while consortia must have a minimum of three.

Success in the Excellence competition is significant for universities not only because of the financial support provided by federal and state funds. It also boosts national and international visibility, since the program is globally regarded as an elite funding initiative. Clusters of Excellence can address interdisciplinary research fields with a long-term perspective, advance research and infrastructure in collaboration with non-university partners and increase the university's appeal as a place for research and study. As an alliance, the Rhine-Main Universities aim to strengthen their attractiveness through diverse joint and complementary offerings in research and teaching, better support for scientists and staff, and leveraging synergies in infrastructure and knowledge transfer. In doing so, they also seek to contribute to positioning the region as an internationally visible science hub. A successful proposal as a consortium in the Universities of Excellence competition would reinforce this positioning, particularly in the international context.

About the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU)

Goethe University Frankfurt (President: Prof. Dr. Enrico Schleiff), Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (President: Prof. Dr. Georg Krausch) and Technical University of Darmstadt (President: Prof. Dr. Tanja Brühl) make up the RHINE-MAINUNIVERSITIES (RMU). The universities have a combined total of more than 95,000 students and 1,500 professors and cooperate closely in research, studying and teaching. These renowned research universities are shaping the Frankfurt-Rhine-Main region as an internationally visible academic hub.
Further information: https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/en