CZS Center

With the CZS Center programme, the Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung promotes long-term interdisciplinary cooperation between at least two scientific institutions (at least one of which must be a university). In this way, complementary expertise is brought together and synergy effects between the institutions are utilised. In terms of content, the focus is on the foundations three focus topics: Artificial Intelligence, Resource Efficiency and Life Science Technologies.

The CZS Centres are intended to have a structure-building effect, i.e. to remain effective beyond the funding period. The focus is on interdisciplinary collaboration. As part of the long-term strategic and thematic planning of the funded institutions, the CZS Centres are intended to sharpen their scientific profile. 

Universities and higher education institutions in the three CZS funding states are eligible to apply. Scientific institutions in other federal states (outside BW, TH and RP), foreign and non-university research institutions may also be included. Up to 20% of the funding can be passed on to these institutions and organisations.

Eligible are:

• Scientific and technical staff including material resources
• Independent CZS junior research groups
• Professorships (tenure track or full professorship as part of a CZS endowed professorship) 
• Networking activities between the locations
• Public relations measures
• Measures to support co-operation between science on the one hand and business and society on the other,
• Measures to promote teaching and teacher training 
• Large-scale equipment and research infrastructure (up to a maximum of 10 per cent of the funding amount)

Selection procedure

Funding projects are selected on the basis of excellence criteria in a written peer review process.

Applications can only be submitted after consultation with the CZS Foundation office.