LATEST NEWS: The Free State of Bavaria is establishing new elite degree programs at the universities in Bayreuth, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Munich, and Würzburg
The Free State of Bavaria is allocating €12 million for four new elite degree programs in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computer science
The elite degree programs will begin next winter semester! - Science Minister Blume: "We support the best – and we challenge them to take on responsibility." (Deutsch, Italiano, English, Français)
MUNICH. Anyone currently considering where to study next year might find what they're looking for in Bavaria, specifically at the universities in Bayreuth, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Munich, and Würzburg: The Bavarian elite network is being expanded with forward-looking, attractive degree programs. The Free State of Bavaria will establish four new degree programs in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, mathematics, and computer science for particularly gifted students.
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| View from Odeonsplatz towards LMU - Photo: Helga Waess (Press photo archive) |
On November 7, 2025, in Munich, Bavaria's Minister of Science, Markus Blume, announced:
"Our elite degree programs offer a triple dose of excellence: Excellent researchers educate excellent students under excellent conditions. Bright minds are our most valuable resource. With the four new elite degree programs at the universities in Bayreuth, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Munich, and Würzburg, we are sending a strong signal: We support the best – and we challenge them to take on responsibility, think creatively, and tackle new challenges. This fosters networks, ideas, and innovations that have an impact far beyond each campus. Many thanks to the universities for their outstanding concepts. The new degree programs are more than just academic programs – they are incubators of ideas for the future of our society."
Innovative Topics and Individual Support in Elite Degree Programs
"The new degree programs were reviewed in a scientifically rigorous process by an international expert commission chaired by Prof. Dr. Peter Strohschneider (former Chairman of the German Council of Science and Humanities, former President of the German Research Foundation - DFG) and by external expert committees before being proposed to the Bavarian Ministry of Science for funding.
All recommended applications fully met the criteria for elite degree programs.
In addition to the excellence of the participating researchers, the innovative subject areas, and the high academic standards, the outstanding individual support, modern teaching and learning methods, and extensive supplementary offerings make elite degree programs highly attractive for exceptionally talented students.
The selection of future students is carried out through a transparent and merit-based selection process at the respective university."
The four new elite degree programs in detail:
“Ecological Forecasting,” University of Bayreuth with JMU Würzburg
This degree program focuses on predicting and modeling the impacts of global change on environmental systems. This gives the program a unique profile in Germany and provides expertise in a highly relevant research field for the future. The program fits perfectly into the profile of the coordinating university, Bayreuth.
With JMU's expertise in AI and statistics, and the involvement of external partners such as the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the Bavarian Forest National Park, effective interdisciplinary collaborations are established.
Speakers: Prof. Dr. Rachel Warnock (Erlangen), Prof. Dr. Barbara Kleine-Marshall (Deputy Speaker, Erlangen)
“Emerging Educational Technologies for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics,” JMU Würzburg
The digital transformation in education will require experts who combine technological competence, subject-specific didactic knowledge, and classroom experience.
This Master's program unites technological content with subject-specific didactic approaches, creating a highly sought-after qualification profile.
It is aimed at students pursuing teaching degrees in STEM subjects as well as students in computer science-related programs, and this integration opens up new perspectives for both groups:
- Teacher training students gain insights into software development processes
- and modern AI-supported learning environments,
- while computer science students develop a deeper understanding of didactics
- and can position themselves in a dynamically growing digital education market through this independent profile development.
Thanks in part to renowned cooperation partners such as the Israel Institute of Technology, the Free University of Berlin, and C.C. Buchner Publishers, this is a flagship project that can set standards nationwide.
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Thomas Trefzger (Würzburg)
“AI in Biomedicine,” Technical University of Munich with FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg
The use of artificial intelligence is accelerating biomedical discoveries and the development of new therapies and devices. This offers enormous potential for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries.
The degree program aims to:
- train students to become AI experts who will drive innovation in biomedicine and healthcare.
- Ethical questions surrounding the use of AI are also addressed.
Highly renowned cooperation partners include Harvard Medical School, ETH Zurich, the University of Oxford, as well as Amazon, Google, IBM Germany, Siemens Healthineers, and Carl Zeiss.
Speakers: Prof. Dr. Daniel Rückert (Munich; Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize 2025), Prof. Dr. Andreas Maier (Deputy Speaker, Erlangen)
Earth System Dynamics and Evolution, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg with the University of Bayreuth
This degree program investigates the complex interactions between
- the atmosphere,
- the biosphere,
- the geosphere,
- and the hydrosphere.
The focus is on the entire Earth system – with the goal of being able to predict and manage environmental processes.
Using state-of-the-art methods and technologies from the field of data science, analogies between very distant environmental events and possible future scenarios are explored.
Furthermore, the program places a strong emphasis on "science diplomacy" – the understanding of the political and diplomatic dimensions of environmental change.
This highly interdisciplinary approach gives the program a unique selling point across Europe.
Speakers: Prof. Dr. Rachel Warnock (Erlangen), Prof. Dr. Barbara Kleine-Marshall (Deputy Speaker, Erlangen)
Information and QUOTE:
from the press release (No. 102)
of the Bavarian State Government
dated November 7, 2025
of the Bavarian State Government
dated November 7, 2025
