Since its foundation in 1966 as a reform university, the University of Konstanz has stood for top-level research, excellence in teaching and study, internationality as well as interdisciplinary collaboration. This distinctive orientation soon led to the development of a profile that stands out due to a focus on high levels of quality, innovation, creativity, and enthusiasm for research. The “success story of the University of Konstanz” (Lord Dahrendorf, 2006) that has been written since 1966 is based on the themes of modernization and reform from within, which is lived by all of our members. Since 2007, the University of Konstanz has been successful in the Excellence Initiative of the German Federal and State Governments with its institutional strategy “Modell Konstanz – Towards a Culture of Creativity”. This strategy focuses on developing our strengths as well as our innovative concepts and ideas. Our university is one of eleven universities in Germany whose “Institutional Strategy to Promote Top-Level Research” is funded by the German federal government and the state of Baden-Württemberg. In 2006, our Center of Excellence “Cultural Foundations of Social Integration” was approved after the Excellence Initiative's first call for proposals. Shortly thereafter in 2007, our Konstanz Research School Chemical Biology was accepted into the Excellent Initiative. During the second phase of the Excellence Initiative, we were able to further enhance our profile with the Graduate School of Decision Sciences, which was established in 2012.

Close dialogue and short distances

Excellent top-level research

Advancement of early career researchers

Excellent teaching and studies inspired by research

Internationalization

International visibility, public dialogue, knowledge transfer, and regional interconnection

Maintaining relations with alumni, friends, and sponsors

Equal opportunity and services Advancing employment qualifications and careers

Student involvement and organization

Sustainability

Social and community involvement