Three scenes from different places in Africa: Crowd, a stall outside and a picture of the big city

Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence

The Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments aims to sustainably strengthen Germany as a centre for scientific research and further enhance its international competitiveness. The Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence has once again prevailed in a highly competitive selection process! This is a clear demonstration of our international research excellence. The renowned scholars in African Studies and the outstanding support structures at the University of Bayreuth provide the ideal environment for exceptional achievements.

Africa Multiple

Reconfiguring African studies together with African partner institutions is the aim of the Africa Multiple Cluster of Excellence, which builds on a long tradition of academic research on Africa at the University of Bayreuth. The focus is on the continental and transcontinental entanglements of cultural, linguistic, social, religious, political, economic, and ecological processes.

1 January 2026 marks the start of the implementation of the cluster's new research agenda. Bayreuth's Africa research, previously spread across several locations in the city, has already relocated to the campus at the beginning of 2025. In the new Research Centre Africa (FZA), the physical proximity in a state-of-the-art environment will ensure synergies. In addition to international conferences held every two years, the cluster is planning new event formats: specialised scientific events will alternate with high-profile events involving artists, political decision-makers, and representatives of civil society. In school education, cooperation with teachers will be expanded.

In the second funding phase, a total of five networked Africa Multiple Research Centres (AMRCs) will be established at the University of Bayreuth and the four existing ACC locations. All AMRCs will contribute equally to the implementation of the joint research agenda. This will enable the African centres to further strengthen their role as central hubs for scientific cooperation and networking activities on the African continent. This includes not only interdisciplinary research projects but also measures to support young scientists, a mobility programme to intensify exchange between the cluster locations, and formats for knowledge transfer to non-university contexts.