DZL Research Successfully Funded Again in the DFG Excellence Strategy

In the current funding round of the Excellence Strategy, the German Research Foundation (DFG) has selected three excellence clusters involving scientists from the German Center for Lung Research (DZL). Out of 98 submitted proposals, these clusters were successful and will now receive funding for an additional seven years.

In addition to the Cardio-Pulmonary Institute (CPI) (see our news from May 30), the selected clusters include the RESIST cluster at the Hannover Medical School (MHH) and the Excellence Cluster Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI) at the Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel (CAU).

RESIST – Tailored Strategies Against Infectious Diseases

For the new funding period, RESIST plans to utilize innovative infection models, organoids, and increased application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to analyze large datasets. The cluster spokesperson is Prof. Dr. Reinhold Förster (DZIF), and co-spokesperson is Prof. Dr. Gesine Hansen (DZL board member and spokesperson of the BREATH site).

Hansen explains:

“We have already achieved many successes in research, including new approaches to prevent sepsis in newborns, improved strategies for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, and measures against multi-resistant hospital pathogens.”

Förster adds:

“The continued funding of our infection and immunity research provides long-term support for people particularly vulnerable to infections. This includes newborns, seniors with undeveloped or weakened immune systems, patients whose immunity is suppressed for therapeutic reasons—such as after transplantation—and individuals with implants. We look forward to continuing to improve diagnostic and therapeutic options in the long term.”

In addition to DZL researchers, teams from DZIF are also involved. The total funding for the next period amounts to nearly 50 million euros.

PMI – Precision Medicine for Chronic Inflammatory Diseases

The excellence cluster Precision Medicine in Chronic Inflammation (PMI) in Schleswig-Holstein has been funded for the fourth consecutive time, a particularly long duration in the highly competitive Excellence Strategy. The cluster aims to translate the latest insights from chronic inflammation research directly into clinical practice. The requested funding amounts to nearly 70 million euros for the period from January 2026 to the end of 2032.

Cluster spokesperson and DZL principal investigator Stefan Schreiber says:

“Being funded for the fourth time confirms the scientific excellence of our members and the successful interdisciplinary collaboration across disciplines and institutions. I am delighted that we can continue this successful work and further advance precision medicine for chronic inflammatory diseases.”

In addition to DZL researchers, scientists from DZIF and DZD are also involved.

The renewed selection of all three clusters strengthens the networking among the participating centers and lays the foundation for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches that directly benefit patients.

Sources:

DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft - Exzellenzstrategie des Bundes und der Länder

Millionenförderung für RESIST – RESIST

Erfolg für PMI