Cluster of Excellence “Balance of the Microverse”
Microorganisms – the smallest living organisms – are crucial to sustain life on Earth. The functioning of all ecosystems depends on finely balanced interactions among microorganisms. The balance is constantly challenged by human interference and environmental disturbances, leading to diseases, severe crop losses and ecosystem degradation.
The Microverse Cluster explores the intricate web of microbial interactions, uniquely transferring ecological concepts to medicine with the goal of targeted interventions.
Jena receives two Clusters of Excellence

The University of Jena will be represented on the map of the German research landscape with two Clusters of Excellence in the future: As announced today ( May 22, 2025) by the German Research Foundation (DFG) and the German Science and Humanities Council (WR), the "Balance of the Microverse" Cluster, which was established in 2019, and the new "Imaginamics" Cluster proposal will be funded over the next seven years in the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments. The University of Jena has thus prevailed with its two full proposals in the final round of the competition.
"This is a great success for the University, which demonstrates our national and international ability to compete across the board: from the natural and life sciences to the humanities and social sciences," says a delighted University President Andreas Marx. "The millions in funding for the two Clusters will give the whole of Thuringia an additional boost. It makes us even more attractive and visible as a location for international cutting-edge research." The President thanked everyone involved both inside and outside the University. "This success is due to the outstanding commitment of all participating researchers and the science-supporting areas. Excellence can only be achieved together," said Marx, including his predecessors and the state of Thuringia in his thanks.