Göttingen Research Campus
The University is part of an excellent research landscape which, in addition to the university itself, comprises five Max Planck Institutes, the German Primate Center, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the Laser Laboratorium Göttingen and numerous smaller independent institutes, including the 250 year-old Göttingen Academy of Science. Based on these specific conditions the University of Göttingen strives to achieve international excellence by devising and implementing strategies to identify, recruit, and support outstanding young researchers, both in established and in new fields of excellence, and providing greater freedom to its leading researchers.

Centers and Groups
Research Centers promote interaction between different faculties of the University through cooperation in common research projects.
Collaborative Research Centers (Sonderforschungsbereiche, SFB) are funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a maximum period up to twelve years. SFBs are interdisciplinary in nature and are headed by two or more faculties.
Research Units - which can be part of an SFB or can function independently - work under the direction of a professor.
Junior Research Groups (Forschernachwuchsgruppen) are usually headed by younger scientists or junior professors. In
Research Training Groups (Graduiertenkollegs) graduate and post-graduates students work on projects under the guidance of professors and senior scientists with a view to gaining a Ph.D. or habilitation. Specialised courses are also offered to promote academic and secondary skills.
Competence Networks connect research groups on a nationwide or international basis. The University of Göttingen coordinates competence networks in the fields of molecular biology, medicine, use of timber and neurosciences.
In 2005, three new university-wide Graduate Schools were created, one in the humanities, one in the social sciences (including law and economics), and one in the natural and life sciences. Theses schools aims to foster interdisciplinary research and teaching in order to promote excellent conditions for doctoral students.

Funding
Much of the research funding is provided as third-party funding from national and international sources. For competence networks and research centers funding is awarded by the German state in a competitive application process, ensuring high-quality projects and top-level research.