The ‘ProExzellenz’ program was implemented by the Government of the Federal State of Thuringia in 2008, in order to promote significant initiatives in the fields of research, innovation, young academics, and education. The goal of this competitive federal program is to strengthen further the current excellent research structures, to support the competition for “best brains”, to encourage innovation and clustering of scientific institutions, and to promote excellent higher education.

The Graduate School of Excellence ‘JSMC’ was successful within the ‘ProExzellenz’ program with no fewer than two new initiatives. Both were awarded in 2009.