RMU-EXCITE is the title of the joint application submitted by TU Darmstadt, Goethe University Frankfurt, and Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz in the competition for the status of a University of Excellence Alliance. The name stands for three guiding principles: excellence, collaboration, and transformation—excellent research, close cooperation, and a clear commitment to contributing to major societal transformations.

In dialogue, Brühl and Oechsner explain why excellent disciplinary expertise is a prerequisite for strong interdisciplinary research and what a central role the “next generation” plays in this, from young scientists to tenure-track professorships. They outline how ideas from this next generation are shaping the RMU's research profile from the bottom up.

At the same time, they discuss how members of TU Darmstadt can benefit from RMU-EXCITE, for example through a joint career and development space for the three universities and through targeted support for early-career researchers.

Brühl and Oechsner also provide an outlook on the next steps in the competition process – from the review to the decision on excellence status.

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