CECAD is formed as a partnership between

• the University of Cologne (UoC),
• its University Hospital,
• the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Biology of Ageing,
• the MPI for Metabolism Research, and
• the Helmholtz’ German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE).

To ensure its long-term scientific and organizational autonomy, CECAD is legally and organizationally positioned under the UoC Rectorate as an interfaculty institute between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and the Faculty of Medicine. The partners are essential for carrying the long-term scientific direction and recruitment strategies of the excellence cluster.

Headed by the Scientific Coordinator, the Executive Board is the most important instrument for the strategic leadership of the Cluster. The Executive Board decides on the budget, personnel and scientifically relevant issues as well as engages the partners in long-term strategic directions and decisions.