Mainz University of Applied Sciences will receive over 3.3 million euros from the Carl Zeiss Foundation (CZS) as part of the “CZS Endowed Professorships HAW” funding program. The funding will be used to establish two new endowed professorships in the fields of sustainable infrastructure and AI-supported cyber resilience, each for a period of five years. The new professorships will strengthen the university’s academic excellence and enable the expansion of key research and knowledge transfer areas.
CZS Endowed Professorship for Sustainable Infrastructure
Resource-Efficient Maintenance and Repair of Bridge Structures
Department of Engineering
Grant Amount: 1,740,000 euros
Funding Period: January 2026 – December 2030
The endowed professorship is dedicated to developing innovative and resource-efficient approaches to the preservation and modernization of bridge structures. Given the large number of bridges in Germany in need of renovation, the professorship aims to provide new impetus to place greater emphasis on sustainability and resource efficiency in technical solutions.
Particular emphasis is placed on integrating advancements in materials technology, digital monitoring methods, and resource-efficient construction techniques. The goal is to develop holistic concepts for the sustainable preservation of bridge infrastructure. Recycled materials, innovative reinforcement technologies, and digital methods for damage detection and process optimization are central to this effort.
The professorship is scheduled to be filled for the 2026–27 winter semester and complements the existing infrastructure focus at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. It strengthens the integration of sustainable concepts into civil engineering research and teaching.
CZS Endowed Chair for AI-Supported Cyber Resilience
Department of Economics
Grant Amount: 1,602,000 euros
Funding Period: January 2026 – December 2030
The second endowed professorship investigates the use of artificial intelligence to increase the resilience of digital systems against cyberattacks. It thus addresses the growing vulnerability of networked infrastructures in businesses, government, and critical sectors.
The goal is to develop AI-based models that detect attacks early, respond adaptively, and strengthen existing IT landscapes without requiring fundamental changes. In addition, AI methods are intended to support the assessment of compliance processes. The project is carried out in close collaboration with companies and public institutions to incorporate real-world data and practical application scenarios into research and technology transfer.
The professorship makes an important contribution to digital sovereignty and creates practical solutions that help organizations detect security incidents earlier, assess them more effectively, and maintain operational processes even under attack.
The President of Mainz University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Susanne Weissman, emphasizes the importance of this funding: “The support from the Carl Zeiss Foundation enables us to sustainably strengthen two areas of great societal relevance. With the new endowed professorships, we are laying a strong foundation for developing solutions to key issues of the future.”
The Vice President for Research and Knowledge Transfer, Prof. Dr. Anett Mehler-Bicher, also highlights the relevance: “This funding gives us the opportunity to expand research, innovation, and knowledge transfer in key areas. Both professorships combine scientific excellence with a direct impact on business, government, and society. This not only strengthens our position as a research hub but also reinforces our role as a reliable partner for practical and forward-looking developments.”
