Abstract Coherent elastic neutrino-nucleus scattering (CE ν NS) offers a unique way to study neutrino properties and to search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. The NUCLEUS experiment aims to measure CEνNS of reactor anti-neutrinos down to unprecedented low nuclear recoil energies. The novel gram-scale cryogenic detectors feature an ultra-low energy threshold of ≤20eV nr and a rise time of a few 100 μ s which allows the operation above ground. The fiducialization of the detectors provides an effective discrimination of ambient γ - and surface backgrounds. Furthermore, the use of multiple targets promises a high physics potential. The NUCLEUS experiment will be located at a new experimental site at the Chooz nuclear power plant in France, providing a high anti-neutrino flux of 1.7 ⋅ 10 12 ν ¯ e / ( s ⋅ cm 2 ) . The commissioning of the experimental setup with a comprehensive background measurement is planned for 2022.