This is the 3263rd most frequent German word.
fortschritten
"Fortschritten" is the past participle of "fortschreiten," meaning "advanced" or "progressed."
In this sentence, 'Fortschritte' (progress) is used as a plural noun to denote advancements or improvements made in a particular field.
Die Wissenschaftler haben bedeutende Fortschritte in der Krebsforschung gemacht.
The scientists have made significant progress in cancer research.
Here, 'fortgeschritten' is the past participle of 'fortschreiten' (to progress), used predicatively to describe the advanced state of his studies.
Seit letztem Jahr ist er in seinem Studium spürbar fortgeschritten.
Since last year, he has noticeably progressed in his studies.
In this statement, 'fortgeschritten' again serves as a past participle used adjectivally to describe the advanced state of the project's progress.