DFG approves 7.3 million euros for second funding phase at the Universities of Cologne and Bonn
The Research Training Group "Template-Designed Organic Electronics" (TIDE) has received follow-up funding of €7.3 million from the German Research Foundation (DFG) for a period of 4.5 years. The second funding period runs from October 2025 to April 2030. Since 2021, the Research Training Group has been jointly supported by the University of Cologne and the University of Bonn. It offers structured doctoral training in the field of organic electronics.
Focus on component implementation
The research focuses on the influence of molecular order on the behavior of electronic components. While the first funding phase emphasized the close integration of theory and experiment, the focus is now on concrete component implementation. Organic electronics is considered a key technology for innovative applications such as flexible displays, wearable sensors, and cost-effective solar cells.
Interdisciplinary training with an international perspective
The college offers a comprehensive training program with content from chemistry, physics, and materials science. This is complemented by the certified Bench-to-Business program, which provides fundamental business knowledge and facilitates the transition to applied research or industry. International research stays and joint teaching formats within the TIDE network round out the program.
Strong partnership between Cologne and Bonn
“With TIDE, we are training a new generation of scientists who are not only technically excellent but also interdisciplinary and business-oriented,” say spokespersons Professor Dr. Klaus Meerholz (Cologne) and Professor Dr. Arne Lützen (Bonn). This will also further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two universities – in a future-oriented field with great social and economic potential.
Sources: NMWP.NRW, University of Cologne
