Success for RWTH: Three clusters are funded
Good news for RWTH: In the current round of the Excellence Strategy, three of its clusters were selected and receive funding. This will enable Aachen to further cement its claim as a high-performance research location. But what does this mean in practice for people who are moving to Aachen soon, such as students, expats or project workers? Funding new research clusters not only influences research and teaching, but also has an impact on infrastructure, demand and the housing market. In this article, I'll show you what you should pay attention to and why renting furnished apartments in Aachen is more important than ever.

An overview of the three funded clusters
The decision of the Joint Science Conference concerns three proposals involving RWTH. Two of them are still running, one is new. They are FSC² with a focus on liquid energy sources and chemicals, ML4Q with a focus on quantum information and CARE with a focus on climate-neutral and resource-saving construction.
RWTH describes the three clusters in detail. FSC² combines chemistry, engineering and social sciences. ML4Q combines the expertise of Cologne, Bonn, Aachen and Jülich in four technology platforms. CARE focuses on materials, design and manufacturing combined with digital methodology and evaluation processes. spring
Decision context and timeline
The Excellence Strategy was expanded in this round. 70 out of 98 applications were approved nationwide. This proves the growing importance of cluster funding. The state and research partners reported a high number of successful applications for North Rhine-Westphalia. The continuation or start of the funded clusters is planned for early 2026. The next level of decision-making concerns the Universities of Excellence line. It falls in 2026, where funding will start from 2027.
For ML4Q, the partners confirmed the further funding period. The communication between the partners also describes the continuation and classifies Aachen's role in the network.
Why this is important: Impacts on cities, campuses and demand
A cluster means more than research budgets. It is a magnet. There are doctoral students, postdocs, project staff, visiting scientists. This creates jobs with partners and spin-offs. Collaborations are being created in the region. Exactly that is already part of Aachen's DNA. Decision 2025 reinforces the profile.
As a result of this strengthening, demand for living space is growing, particularly in segments that offer rapid availability and equipment. This includes one-room apartments, serviced apartments and temporary accommodation offers. Many of the new heads would like to be able to work immediately. They have little time for set-up, contracts for electricity and Internet, or subsequent renovations. For this target group, Rent a furnished apartment in Aachen Not comfort luxury, but the logical choice.
What the three clusters mean for housing in particular
Each cluster has different rhythms, partners, and flows to people. This results in different patterns for finding accommodation.
RWTH points out that FSC² covers the entire added value chain. This means that everything from molecules to applications is included. ML4Q focuses on key technologies such as efficient qubits and modular architectures. CARE wants to rapidly transform construction practice. For housing, this means that there will be demand in waves. Guests come for months. Project phases last semesters. Doctoral projects take years. Demand is spreading but remains high.
Consequences for your apartment search: Strategy instead of coincidence
Anyone who simply hopes in this environment risks stress. A clear plan is better. Start early. Expect competition in popular locations. In particular, check which type of housing suits your length of stay. Here is a look at Rent a furnished apartment in Aachen its value. You save yourself set-up, contracts and outstanding items on ancillary costs. You gain time for research or study.
Experience shows that all-inclusive offers work very well for tenants with research-related tasks. Planning security beats pure cold rent. The reason is simple. Absenteeism due to looking for accommodation, buying furniture or technical problems is significantly more expensive than a slightly higher, but fixed monthly amount.
Practical calculation: unfurnished and furnished compared to the previous year
Numbers are helpful. The following example calculation shows typical orders of magnitude. It is not an official statistic. It shows why planning security and equipment count.
The difference is due to one-time costs and additional costs. In addition, there are indirect costs due to time spent. New arrivals rarely have the capacity to do so. That is exactly why Rent a furnished apartment in Aachen Often the reasonable solution in clustering times.
What the decision means beyond RWTH
The decision is part of a bigger picture. North Rhine-Westphalia recorded a high number of clusters in this round. This increases the visibility of the country. With partners such as Forschungszentrum Jülich, a dense network of research and transfer is being created. This density creates flows of people, projects and capital. For Aachen, this is a tailwind. It is a signal for apartment seekers. It is worthwhile to act early and choose stability.
Time orientation: What happens when
The important brands in short form. This is how you plan your next steps in line with the campus calendar.
The dates are based on information provided by RWTH and partners. The clusters will start at the beginning of 2026. The decisions on the Universities of Excellence line will be made in 2026. Funding there will start in 2027.
Specific recommendations for students, researchers and project workers
Think in terms of scenarios. If you're coming as a doctoral student, plan for years, but keep options open. If you come as a visiting researcher for a few months, rely on immediate availability and complete packages. When you restart as a student, check the proximity to faculties and laboratories. The following applies in all cases. The earlier you get around Rent a furnished apartment in Aachen Careful, the easier it will be to get started.
A sensible approach looks like this. Clarify the length of stay, places of work, and commuting routes. Set a realistic budget that reflects the total costs. Compare not just cold rent, but the full month. Ask about contract terms and notice periods. Check equipment, condition documentation, and scope of service. This is how you avoid surprises.
The Good Shepherd as a practical bridge between research and everyday life
You don't want to be on hold. You want to start. That is exactly where a professional offer such as the Good Shepherd offers advantages. The apartments are furnished and ready for immediate occupancy. Additional costs and Internet are integrated. The locations are designed for short distances. The terms match the semester, project or research stage. Anyone doing research or starting an intensive course of study benefits from clarity. Anyone who comes from abroad has the ability to plan. Commuting saves valuable time. So will Rent a furnished apartment in Aachen to a strategic component of your work and not to an additional construction site.
Research drives urban development and housing must keep pace
Three funded clusters are a boost for Aachen. FSC², ML4Q and CARE address energy, quantum information and climate-neutral construction. These topics are big. Their impact on the ground is tangible. They bring people, projects and investments. As a result, demand for suitable apartments is increasing. Those who make timely and wise decisions have advantages.
The clear message. Plan early. Calculate with dynamics. Select stability and service. Rent furnished apartment in Aachen is often the best answer in this situation.
If you want to be specific. Find out now about available apartments in the Good Shepherd. Arrange a viewing. Secure a home that has your back while you work on big issues in Aachen.