"This unique research centre boosts Hamburg's role as a leader of basic research," said Maryam Blumenthal, Senator for Science. The research centre will serve as a new workplace for the Quantum Universe Cluster of Excellence, using state-of-the-art infrastructure to address fundamental questions in particle and astroparticle physics, and to gain new insights into the universe. The building itself will serve as a measuring instrument for gravitational wave research and cosmic radiation.
"HAFUN" research centre to be built in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld. €34 million in joint from the German government
The "Hamburg Fundamental Interactions Laboratory" (HAFUN) is to be built in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld, a press release said Tuesday (July 22, 2025). The senate has decided to build HAFUN based on a tenant-landlord model, approved in the 2025/26 budget and has secured €34 million in joint funding from the German government. The research centre will provide space for around 200 scientists mainly in particle and astroparticle physics and non-linear quantum optics.
Strengthening basic research in Hamburg
HAFUN as a centre for cutting-edge research
The 6,400-square-metre space in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld will be linked to other research facilities such as DESY or the physics building at the University of Hamburg, thus facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration. "The laboratory brings together scientists from the Quantum Universe Cluster of Excellence, the Department of Physics and our partners in Science City Hamburg Bahrenfeld enabling them to explore universe's most fundamental mysteries," said Hauke Heekeren, President of the University of Hamburg. This will create another place for internationally visible, cutting-edge research.
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