INSPIREfutureHealth: In the race for the title of “University of Excellence,” MHH is banking on a holistic model for the future of university medicine.
Standing together in support of the INSPIREfutureHealth strategy (from left): Vice President Professor Frank Lammert, University Council Chair Dr. Josef Lange, Minister of Science Falko Mohrs, Vice President Martina Saurin, MHH President Professor Denise Hilfiker-Kleiner, and Minister President Olaf Lies. Copyright: Karin Kaiser/MHH
With the goal of obtaining the title “University of Excellence” (ExU), the Hannover Medical School (MHH) presented its future program, INSPIREfutureHealth, to an international panel of experts last week. ExU status is awarded as part of the federal and state governments’ Strategy of Excellence and comes with funding of up to 15 million euros annually for the next seven years. Lower Saxony’s Minister President Olaf Lies and Minister of Science Falko Mohrs were present during the on-site visit. “Lower Saxony stands firmly by the MHH’s side,” said the Minister President. “We see INSPIREfutureHealth as a great opportunity—for the MHH, for Hannover as a center of science, and for modern, resilient, and patient-centered healthcare.”
“The MHH is of outstanding strategic importance to science in Lower Saxony. It combines cutting-edge medicine, excellent research, and academic education in a way that is unique in Germany,” said Minister President Lies following the on-site visit by the 13 renowned experts. “Excellence is driven by people: by researchers, physicians, students, nursing and healthcare professionals, and everyone who works together to achieve outstanding healthcare and medical progress.”
MHH as a model for the future of university medicine
“With our INSPIREfutureHealth strategy, we aim to further develop the MHH’s unique integration model—the close linkage of research, teaching, and patient care—into an inclusive and holistic model of future university medicine through close integration with the so-called P4 concept,” explains MHH President Prof. Dr. Hilfiker-Kleiner. “The INSPIREfutureHealth strategy is based on a holistic understanding of medicine that goes beyond diagnosis and treatment and aims to maintain the best possible state of health throughout all stages of life.” In this context, the four guiding principles—prevention, prediction, precision, and participation—are applied not only to patients but to all areas of the university—students, scientists, and staff.
Key elements of the MHH’s future strategy include harmonized cohort platforms, artificial intelligence (AI), new preclinical models, and innovative study programmes and career paths. “In addition, we are developing academically sound strategies for change management and Communications,” the MHH President continued. One of the MHH’s great strengths lies in its network of excellent academic and non-academic partners. This is to be further strengthened by the future construction of a new hospital and a resilient, sustainable Hannover Health Science Campus.
Decision to be made on October 2, 2026
Since its founding a good 60 years ago, MHH has been doing pioneering work for the future of health research. As Germany’s only university dedicated exclusively to medicine, MHH has made an application to participate in the nationwide competition for top-tier research. Ten universities of excellence for the funding period from 2027 to 2033 have already been selected. Of the eleven universities that also hope to become “Universities of Excellence” in the future, no more than five additional institutions will receive the title this fall. On October 2, 2026, the Excellence Commission will announce its decision.
Text: Inka Burow