University research projects carry a dual responsibility: fostering innovation and addressing societal challenges. However, this innovation potential is often accompanied by high degrees of uncertainty and risk due to vague initial objectives and complex stakeholder environments. Therefore, it becomes essential to design a risk management strategy that not only ensures adherence to time and budget constraints but also integrates sustainability goals into the planning and evaluation process. This paper investigates how Sustainable Development Goals can be systematically embedded into the strategic planning of university research projects to enhance research relevance and societal benefit.

The study applies a qualitative approach based on expert interviews within a large-scale research project MORE at a German university. It identifies the most relevant SDGs, links them to key project risks, and develops a conceptual framework for their integration into a digital risk twin. The findings show significant alignment with internationally prioritised SDGs - especially SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 4 (Quality Education). This alignment confirms both the relevance of the developed methodology and its theoretical foundation. The resulting strategy supports transparent, sustainability-oriented decision-making in complex research environments and offers a transferable approach for similarly structured academic projects.