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Research Projects

The research strength of Bielefeld University can be demonstrated by the success of its academics to acquire third-party funding for research projects: The share of these third-party funds is currently one fifth of the total budget.

Primarily, this funding enables collaborative research, in particular in the five interdisciplinary Collaborative Research Centres at Bielefeld University. The researchers at the University cooperate with colleagues in regional, national and international associations and networks. The broad scope of research at Bielefeld University is reflected in the many third-party funded individual projects.  

Forscherin bedient Pipette.
© Universität Bielefeld

European Union


  • Bild der Person: Professorin Dr. Gabi Schierning, Fakultät für Physik
    © Universität Bielefeld

    Generating electricity with heat

    How do the surfaces of thermoelectric materials need to be designed in order to efficiently transport an electrical current? This is the question explored by physicist Prof. Dr. Gabi Schierning from Bielefeld University and her team in the project ‘MAcroscopic quantum Transport maTERials by nanoparticle processing’ (MATTER). The project is funded by the ERC Consolidator Grant.

  • Bild der Person: Professorin Dr. Barbara Hammer, Technische Fakultät, Arbeitsgruppe Machine Learning
    © Sarah Jonek

    Securing drinking water supplies

    Computer scientist Prof. Dr. Barbara Hammer from Bielefeld University and three other European scientists are conducting research on how to guarantee drinking water supplies by using artificial intelligence in the project ‘Smart Water Futures: Designing the Next Generation of Urban Drinking Water Systems’ (Water Futures). The project is funded by the ERC Synergy Grant.

  • Bild der Person: Prof. Dr. Martina Hofmanová, Fakultät für Mathematik
    © Sarah Jonek

    Influence of randomness on turbulence

    How does randomness influence fluid flows? This is the question the research group led by Prof. Dr. Martina Hofmanová from the Faculty of Mathematics is analysing in the project ‘Mathematical analysis of fluid flows: the challenge of randomness’ (FluFloRan). The project is funded by the ERC Starting Grant.

  • Bild der Person: Prof. Dr. Toni Goßmann, Fakultät für Biologie/Evolutionsgenetik
    © Sarah Jonek

    Evolutionary significance of epigenetics

    Epigenetic marks ensure that different DNA segments become active per cell type. The evolutionary role of epigenetics is under investigation by a team led by Dr Toni Goßmann from the Faculty of Biology in the project ‘Deciphering adaptive footprints of epiC evolution on different timescales’ (DECAF). The project is funded by the ERC Starting Grant.

  • Bild der Person: Professorin Dr. Minh Nguyen, Fakultät für Soziologie
    © Mike-Dennis Müller

    Labour and welfare in the Global South

    How is welfare changing in the emerging economies of the Global South? A team led by Prof. Dr. Minh Nguyen from the Faculty of Sociology is investigating this in the project ‘Welfare for Migrant Factory Workers: Moral Struggles and Politics of Care under Market Socialism’ (Welfare Struggles).The project is funded by an ERC Starting Grant.

  • Bild der Person: Professorin Dr. Elena Esposito, Fakultät für Soziologie
    © Michael Adamski

    The Effects of Algorithm predictions

    What consequences do algorithms and their predictions of the future have for society? This is the question being explored by a research group led by Professor Dr Elena Esposito from the Faculty of Sociology in the project: ‘The Future of Prediction: The Social Consequences of Algorithmic Forecast in Insurance, Medicine and Policing (PREDICT). The project is funded by an ERC Advanced Grant.

Other funding institutions

List of third-party funded projects at Bielefeld University (in German)

Here you will find a list of all third-party funded projects, listed in the respective year they were concluded. 


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