FRIEDRICH-ALEXANDER-UNIVERSITAET ERLANGEN-NUERNBERG

Their core work

FAU is one of Germany's largest research universities, with deep strength in materials science, advanced manufacturing, and computational methods. Their H2020 portfolio reveals a university that bridges fundamental science — bioactive glasses, fracture mechanics, surface chemistry — with applied engineering in energy systems, photonics, and AI-driven manufacturing. They are prolific trainers of early-stage researchers through Marie Skłodowska-Curie networks and have a strong track record in ERC-funded frontier research. Their work consistently moves between lab-scale material development and industrial process optimization, making them a natural partner for both basic research consortia and industry-facing innovation projects.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

FAU's early H2020 work (2014–2018) was rooted in materials science fundamentals: bioactive glasses, ceramic composites, scaffold engineering, surface functionalization, and fracture mechanics. By 2019–2022, their focus shifted markedly toward digitalization and data-driven methods — machine learning, artificial intelligence, process simulation — while maintaining their materials base through graphene, additive manufacturing, and mechanobiology. A parallel emergence of open science, citizen science, and standardization projects suggests the university is also positioning itself as a methodological leader in how research is conducted and shared.

FAU is converging its traditional materials expertise with machine learning and digital methods, making them increasingly relevant for AI-augmented manufacturing and smart materials development.

How they like to work

FAU operates predominantly as an active consortium partner (96 of 134 projects), but with a significant coordination capability — leading 31 projects shows they can and do take the driver's seat when the topic aligns with their core strengths. With 1,501 unique partners across 54 countries, they function as a major hub in the European research network rather than a closed-circle institution. This breadth means they bring extensive consortium-building experience and cross-sector connections to any new project.

FAU has collaborated with over 1,500 unique partners across 54 countries, placing it among the most connected universities in H2020. Their network spans virtually all of Europe with strong ties into associated countries, reflecting the breadth of a full-spectrum research university.

What sets them apart

FAU occupies a distinctive position at the intersection of classical materials science and modern computational methods — few European universities can match both their depth in bioactive glasses and ceramics AND their growing machine learning capability. Their 26 MSCA training network participations make them one of Germany's most active doctoral training hubs, meaning collaborators gain access not just to expertise but to a pipeline of trained researchers. With 9 ERC Starting Grants in the portfolio, the university clearly attracts and retains high-caliber early-career scientists who push into new territory.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SOLACYLIN
  Coordinated by FAU with nearly €1.94M EC funding — their largest coordinated project, pushing innovative nanocylindrical solar cell architectures
• SURFLINK
  €1.5M ERC-funded project on molecular-level surface engineering of insulating materials, showcasing FAU's frontier chemistry capabilities
• HyMedPoly
  €1.25M training network on drug-free antibacterial biopolymers for medical applications — a prime example of FAU bridging biomaterials with clinical need