named programs · 6 · from sources
What they call their work
Competence Field Energy - System - Transformation (EST)
Transdisciplinary research initiative analyzing the transformation of energy systems toward renewable sources, integrating expertise from all three UA Ruhr universities
Competence Field Metropolitan Research
Interdisciplinary research on urban transformation in the Ruhr region, leveraging its polycentric structure as a model for post-industrial metropolitan development
Flagship Program Materials Chain
Joint research initiative across UA Ruhr universities focusing on materials science from atoms to technical components, integrating over 200 research groups
Flagship Program RESOLV (Ruhr Explores Solvation)
Interdisciplinary research cluster advancing solvation science, funded by DFG, studying solvation effects on reactions, biomolecules, and liquid/solid interfaces
Mercator Research Center Ruhr (MERCUR)
Funding and coordination platform supporting collaborative research, academic networking, and structural development across UA Ruhr institutions
UA Ruhr Research Council
Strategic body of senior academics guiding the development of new research collaborations and flagship programs across the alliance
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Research and Scholarly Fellowship Support 2 activities
- Establishes and funds collaborative research initiatives and professorshipsEstablishes joint research institutions and flagship programs such as "Materials Chain" and "Ruhr Explores Solvation" (RESOLV), supports over 100 collaborative projects, and funds UA Ruhr professorships with up to one million euros through MERCUR to advance interdisciplinary research.
- Shares international funding opportunities for collaborative researchDisseminates information on international funding opportunities to support joint research projects focused on societal transitions and global challenges.
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Cultural Exchange and Mutual Understanding Programs 2 activities
- Facilitates transatlantic research and education collaborationsActively fosters collaborative research and educational partnerships between the UA Ruhr universities and institutions in the United States and Canada, including through joint projects, exchange programs, and international networks.
- Operates a liaison office in New York City to represent German universities in North AmericaRuns a permanent liaison office in New York City to represent the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr) institutions—Ruhr University Bochum, University of Duisburg-Essen, and TU Dortmund University—to strengthen academic and research ties with partners in the United States and Canada.
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Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 1 activity
- Co-organizes international symposia and side events on global challengesCo-hosts high-level international events such as the COP31 side event "Bridging Climates" with Rutgers University and the German Consulate, and organizes symposia like "Cultures of Refuge" in Dortmund to address climate resilience, migration, and ethical responsibilities in global crises.
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Nonprofit Internship Programs 1 activity
- Offers internships to students at its New York officeProvides biannual internship opportunities for students at its New York City liaison office, offering hands-on experience in international academic collaboration and organizational operations.
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Scientific Conference & Symposium Management 1 activity
- Organizes academic and professional development events at the GAIN ConferenceParticipates in the annual German Academic International Network (GAIN) Conference by organizing workshops on science transfer and women in academic leadership, contributing expert speakers to career forums, and hosting an LGBTQ+ networking breakfast to support international researchers.
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Benefit Events for Arts and Culture 1 activity
- Participates in cultural outreach to strengthen German-American academic tiesEngages in public and cultural events such as the Steuben Parade in New York City in partnership with the German Consulate to celebrate and promote German-American academic and cultural relationships.
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Community Space Provision 1 activity
- Provides conference and meeting facilities for academic eventsOffers access to an auditorium, restaurant, and event spaces to host academic gatherings such as workshops, panel discussions, lectures, and exhibitions that support research dissemination and scholarly exchange.
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International Student Recruitment & Academic Partnerships 1 activity
- Provides organizational support for international academic projectsOffers an organizational framework to facilitate and sustain joint academic and research initiatives within the context of international exchange, including through liaison offices in North America and Eastern Europe/Central Asia.
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Youth and Student Entrepreneurship Competitions 1 activity
- Supports university startups through the STEP USA University ProgramProvides winning teams with participation in the STEP USA University Program, a three-day initiative in New York City designed to help German university spin-offs and startups explore and scale their presence in the U.S. market.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Advances regional innovation through academic-industry partnershipsSupports approximately 300 technology and manufacturing enterprises in the adjacent technology park, including high-tech startups via TechnologieZentrumDortmund, and drives regional structural change through interdisciplinary research networks and corporate partnerships.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$357K
Contributions & grants$357K100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$397K
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising5%
Salaries & benefits$145K
Grants paid out$13K
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$176K
Cash$176K
Investments$0
Liabilities$34K
Net assets$141K
Liquid reserves5.3 mo
3 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +31.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRIYA NAYAR | EXECUTIVE DI | 45 | $130K |
board members · 7
- BARBARA SCHNEIDER — ASSISTANT SE
- GERHARD SCHEMBECKER — TREASURER
- JOANN HALPERN — BOARD MEMBER
- KAREN SHIRE — BOARD MEMBER
- KORNELIA FREITAG — BOARD MEMBER
- SUSANNE VON TURK — SECRETARY
- TESSA FLATTEN — PRESIDENT, C
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Academy in Exile Partner — Co-organizes the "Cultures of Refuge" symposium in Dortmund on climate, flight, and refuge.
- DWIH New York Partner — Co-organizes the STEP USA University Program 2026 with UA Ruhr North America
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Government — Finances the RESOLV research cluster through the DFG Excellence Initiative.
- German Academic International Network (GAIN) Partner — Collaborates with GAIN to participate in and organize activities at the GAIN Annual Conference.
- German Consulate Partner — Collaborates with UA Ruhr on participation in the Steuben Parade and co-hosting the "Bridging Climates" event.
- German Consulate New York City Partner — Hosts the UA Ruhr New York office at its facility.
- German-American Chambers of Commerce (GACC NY) Partner — Co-organizes the STEP USA University Program 2026 with UA Ruhr North America
- Mercator Foundation Partner — Co-founded the Mercator Research Center Ruhr to support collaborative research across UA Ruhr universities.
- Ruhr University Bochum Network — Member institution of the University Alliance Ruhr, supported for international visibility and collaboration.
- Ruhr University Bochum Network — Member university of UA Ruhr whose students and researchers are eligible to participate in UA Ruhr initiatives
- Ruhr-Universität Bochum Network — Member university of the University Alliance Ruhr.
- Rutgers University Partner — Co-hosts the "Bridging Climates" COP31 side event on climate resilience and German-American collaboration.
- TU Dortmund University Network — Member university of UA Ruhr whose students and researchers are eligible to participate in UA Ruhr initiatives
- TU Dortmund University Network — Member university of the University Alliance Ruhr.
- Technical University of Dortmund Network — Member institution of the University Alliance Ruhr, supported for international visibility and collaboration.
- TechnologieZentrumDortmund Partner — Provides infrastructure and support for high-tech startups and young enterprises in the Dortmund technology park adjacent to TU Dortmund University.
- Trans-Atlantic Platform for Social Sciences and Humanities (T-AP) Partner — Collaborates on international funding opportunities for social sciences and humanities research
- UA Ruhr Network — Member of the UA Ruhr network promoting research collaboration and public engagement.
- UA Ruhr Network — University Alliance Ruhr, comprising the universities of Bochum, Dortmund, and Duisburg-Essen, working collectively to advance research and structural transformation in the Ruhr region.
- UA Ruhr universities Network — Core academic institutions within the UA Ruhr network collaborating on research and education initiatives
- UA Ruhr universities Partner — Collaborates with UA Ruhr universities to facilitate transatlantic research and education initiatives.
- University Alliance Ruhr Network — Member of an international network of universities fostering research collaboration and academic exchange.
- University Alliance Ruhr Network — Network of three Ruhr universities in Germany supporting international higher education activities in New York
- University of Duisburg-Essen Network — Member institution of the University Alliance Ruhr, supported for international visibility and collaboration.
- University of Duisburg-Essen Network — Member university of UA Ruhr whose students and researchers are eligible to participate in UA Ruhr initiatives
- University of Duisburg-Essen Network — Member university of the University Alliance Ruhr.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Early-Career Researcher Development Through Interdisciplinary Supportmethodology: early_career_researcher_developmentBy providing interdisciplinary programs, coaching, and Graduate Schools, the organization strengthens long-term research capacity because early-career researchers thrive in structured, cross-disciplinary environments that combine mentorship with institutional support.
- Interdisciplinary Research Alliances to Enable Large-Scale Innovationmethodology: strategic_research_allianceBy bundling complementary strengths across partner universities in science, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, the organization creates critical mass in personnel and infrastructure, enabling large-scale research initiatives and breakthrough innovation because interdisciplinary scale amplifies impact beyond what single institutions can achieve.
- Research Communication Through Storytelling and Audience Empathymethodology: research-communication-for-public-impactBy communicating research through storytelling, simplification, and audience empathy, the organization increases public understanding and societal impact of science because these methods bridge the gap between technical knowledge and non-specialist audiences.
- Transatlantic Collaboration for Joint Knowledge Productionmethodology: transatlantic_collaborationBy fostering transatlantic academic collaborations, the organization enables researchers and students to develop solutions for global challenges and advance joint knowledge production, because sustained international partnerships enhance research scale, educational exchange, and innovation capacity.
- University Consortium Model to Amplify Academic Capacitymethodology: university-consortiumBy operating as a formal alliance of three major universities, the organization strengthens academic capacity and international outreach because shared infrastructure and coordinated representation increase visibility, collaboration, and recruitment leverage beyond individual institutional reach.