Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) is one of the world’s leading accelerator centres. Researchers use the large-scale facilities at DESY to explore the microcosm in all its variety – from the interactions of tiny elementary particles and the behaviour of new types of nanomaterials to biomolecular processes that are essential to life.

As one of Germany’s largest research and educational institutions, Universität Hamburg combines a diverse curriculum with excellent research. The University was extraordinarily successful in the Excellence Strategy of the Federal and State Governments, a competition for top-level university research funding. Four clusters of excellence were granted funding, and Universität Hamburg was granted the status of a University of Excellence for its role as a flagship university.