New Research Network for Health Economics and Health Policy: TUM Researchers Lead the Way in Launching the Munich Center for Health Economics and Policy

With the Munich Center for Health Economics and Policy (M-CHEP), a new research network is being established in Munich to bring together academia, policy, and healthcare practice more closely. The initiative to establish the center stems primarily from the Department Health and Sport Sciences at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). The project is led by Prof. Dr. Leonie Sundmacher, head of the Professorship of Health Economics.

The official launch event will take place on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the TUM Campus in the Olympic Park. Approximately 250 guests from academia, politics, local government, and the healthcare industry are expected to attend. Bavarian State Minister for Health, Care, and Prevention, Judith Gerlach, will open the event. Other speakers will include Prof. Dr. Juliane Winkelmann, TUM Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, and Prof. Dr. Stephanie Combs, Dean of the TUM School of Medicine and Health.

Largest Consortium in Health Economics in Southern Germany

The M-CHEP brings together 15 professorships and chairs in the fields of health economics and health policy, making it the largest consortium of researchers in this field in southern Germany to date. Participants include researchers from TUM, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, the University of Augsburg, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg, and the University of Bayreuth.

The center’s goal is to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration in health economics research and to intensify the dialogue between academia, policy, and practice.

“With the M-CHEP, we are creating a platform that brings together the existing expertise in Bavaria and connects it more closely,” says Prof. Sundmacher, the Center’s scientific director. “Many key questions in healthcare — from financing and care structures to prevention — can only be answered through collaboration and an interdisciplinary approach.”

At the same time, the Center aims to help integrate scientific findings more effectively into political decision-making processes. “Our goal is to provide evidence-based analyses that contribute to the further development of an efficient and sustainable healthcare system,” says Prof. Sundmacher. “To this end, we want to intensify collaboration between universities and specifically incorporate research findings into the health policy discourse.”

Initiative from the Department Health and Sport Sciences

The initiative to establish the Center originated in the Department Health and Sport Sciences at TUM, which is represented in the network by several professorships. In addition to Prof. Sundmacher, Prof. Dr. Michael Laxy, head of the Professorship of Public Health and Prevention, and Prof. Dr. Nikkil Sudharsanan, head of the Professorship of Behavioral Science for Disease Prevention and Health Care, are also involved. Another key founding member is Prof. Dr. Janina Steinert, head of the Professorship for Global Health at the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology, who brings international perspectives on health research to the network.

Joint Research and Support for Early-Career Researchers

The M-CHEP pursues several strategic goals. One focus is on joint research across institutional and university boundaries. “With the Center, we are attempting to systematically organize health economics in southern Germany — and particularly in Bavaria — for the first time,” explains Dr. Sebastian Himmler, Managing Director of M-CHEP. “Such networks already exist in other regions of Germany, but not yet here in the south.”

By pooling expertise, larger joint research projects are expected to emerge in the future — for example, with the aim of securing funding from the German Research Foundation (DFG). Initial collaborations between the participating researchers are already underway.

A second key focus is on supporting early-career researchers. “We want to strengthen the networking among PhD candidates and further improve their training,” says Dr. Himmler. “For nearly two years now, we have been organizing a joint PhD seminar that takes place every two weeks and is regularly attended by 25 to 30 early-career researchers.” Summer schools and specialized courses for PhD candidates are also planned for the future.

Scientific Expertise in Health Policy

Another goal of the Center is to conduct policy-relevant research and thereby provide concrete input for health policy decisions. The expertise of the participants is already in demand in various political advisory bodies. For example, Prof. Sundmacher and Prof. Laxy are members of the Health Finance Commission, which was appointed by Federal Health Minister Nina Warken. Prof. Dr. Amelie Wuppermann from the University of Bayreuth, also part of the M-CHEP network, is also a member of this body.

“The fact that three members of our Center were appointed to this Commission demonstrates the high level of scientific expertise within the network,” emphasizes Dr. Himmler. “Our goal is to conduct research that is not only academically relevant but can also make concrete contributions to the further development of the healthcare system.”

International Perspectives at the Inaugural Event

The inaugural event on March 20 also serves as a forum for international perspectives in health economics. Two renowned scholars will deliver keynote addresses. Prof. Dr. Nils Gutacker from the University of York will speak about the development and significance of health economics in the United Kingdom. Following this, Prof. Dr. Dorte Gyrd-Hansen from the University of Southern Denmark will present experiences with gatekeeping and primary care systems in the Danish healthcare system.

Afterward, representatives from politics, self-governance, and academia will discuss perspectives on primary care and possible reform approaches for healthcare systems.

“With this event, we aim to raise the profile of the new network while simultaneously fostering exchange between research, policy, and practice,” says Prof. Sundmacher. “This dialogue is particularly crucial for health policy issues.” The launch of M-CHEP thus establishes a new research network designed to further strengthen Munich and Bavaria as key hubs for health economics research and to sustainably expand scientific collaboration in the field of health systems research.

To the homepage of M-CHEP

To the homepage of the Professorship of Health Economics

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Leonie Sundmacher
Professorship of Health Economics
Am Olympiacampus 11
80809 München

phone: 089 289 24464
e-mail: leonie.sundmacher(at)tum.de

Dr. Sebastian Himmler
Professorship of Health Economics
Am Olympiacampus 11
80809 München

phone: 089 289 24465
e-mail: sebastian.himmler(at)tum.de

Text: Dr. Romy Schwaiger
Photos: M-CHEP/Silvia Béres (Beres Fotografie)