The German Research Foundation (DFG) is funding the following Research Units at the University of Oldenburg:

• Research Unit 5267
  Biogeochemical processes and Air-sea exchange in the Sea-Surface microlayer (BASS)
  Start 2022, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Oliver Wurl, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 5094
  The dynamic deep subsurface of high-energy beaches (DynaDeep)
  Start 2021, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Gudrun Massmann, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 5022
  Medicine and the temoral structure of the good life
  Start 2021, since 2025 Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Mark Schweda, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 2716
  Spatial community ecology in highly dynamic landscapes: from island biogeography to metaecosystems [DynaCom]
  Start 2018, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Helmut Hillebrand, University of Oldenburg

Participation of Oldenburg scientists in DFG Research Units:

• Research Unit 5726
  Density dependent symbiosis in planktonic systems (DynaSym)
  Start 2024, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Helmut Hillebrand
• Research Unit 5489
  Understanding aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) signalling in skin disorders
  Start 2022, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Karin Loser
• Research Unit 2983
  Voluntariness
  Start 2020, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Tilo Wesche
• Research Unit 2688
  Dynamics and Instabilities of particle-laden pulsatile flows in complex pipe geometries
  Start 2019, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Kerstin Avila
• Research Unit 2692
  Fundamental Aspects of Statistical Mechanics and the Emergence of Thermodynamics in Non-Equilibrium Systems
  Start 2018, Participating Applicants: Prof. Dr. Andreas Engel und Prof. Dr. Martin Holthaus
• Research Unit 2690
  Translational Pruritus Research
  Start 2018, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Ulrike Raap

Interdisciplinary AI research group
Functions and consequences of artificial intelligence in the organisation of science and higher education - innovation analysis and transfer development (KIWIT)
Start 2025, Head: Prof. Dr. Heinke Röbken

• Research Unit 2457: Acoustic Sensor Networks
  2016-2024, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Gerald Enzner
• Research Unit 2213 Nanoporous Gold – A Prototype for a Rational Design of Catalysts
  2015-2024, Spokesperson (since 2018): Prof. Dr. Gunther Wittstock, University of Oldenburg
• Volkswagen Foundation Research Unit (Funding Programme Challenges for Europe): Popular Music as a Medium for the Mainstreaming of Populist Ideologies in Europe
  2019-2023, Project Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Mario Dunkel, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 2104: Needs-Based Distribution and Distribution Procedures
  2014-2022, Participating Applicants: Prof. Dr. Mark Siebel, Prof. Dr. Markus Tepe
• Research Unit 1748: Networks on Networks: The Interplay of Structure and Dynamics in Spatial Ecological Networks
  2012-2020, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Bernd Blasius
• Reasearch Unit 1539: Horizontal Europeanization. An Emerging Social Entity Between National and Global Scales
  2012-2020, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Martin Heidenreich, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 1732: Individualized Hearing Acoustics
  2012-2019, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 1557: Simulation and Evaluation of Acoustical Environments (SEACEN)
  2011-2018, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Steven van de Par
• Research Unit 1451: Exploring mechanisms underlying the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning
  2010-2020, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Helmut Hillebrand
• Research Unit 1246: Kilimanjaro ecosystems under global change: Linking biodiversity, biotic interactions and biogeochemical ecosystem processes
  2010-2018, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Michael Kleyer
• Research Unit 1277: Mobility of Lithium Ions in Solids (molife)
  2010-2017, Participating Applicant: Prof. Dr. Michael Wark
• Research Unit 701: Dynamics and Stability of Retinal Processing
  2006-2013, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Reto Weiler, University of Oldenburg
• Research Unit 432: BioGeoChemistry of Tidal Flats
  2001-2009, Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Rullkötter, University of Oldenburg