The University of Mannheim is well known for its distinct profile, its business orientation and its international approach. Various rankings, awards and evaluations indicate the quality of its research and teaching: they classify the University of Mannheim as one of the best universities in Germany. Moreover, the University is part of the national "Excellence Initiative", which funds the Mannheim Graduate School of Economic and Social Sciences (GESS). The University’s trademark is its distinct profile. It is characterized by Mannheim’s renowned Economic and Social Sciences being closely intertwined with Humanities, Law, Mathematics and Computer Sciences. Its schools and research institutes cooperate with numerous international partners. Institutes and projects like the Mannheim Centre for European Social Research and a number of collaborative research centers underline the University’s reputation as one of the Top 20 institutions in Economic and Social Sciences in Europe.