Support for international and interdisciplinary research groups addressing the issue of coping with “global challenges”
Within the framework of its funding initiative “Future Issues of our Society”, the Foundation is now following up its successful co-operation with partner foundations Compagnia di San Paolo in Turin and Riksbankens Jubileumsfond in Stockholm with the funding programme entitled “Europe and Global Challenges”.
Up to ten international and interdisciplinary research groups addressing the issue of coping with “global challenges” will receive support. The groups should be embedded in research institutions in member states of the European Union and have to work in co-operation with partners in other parts of the world. Project proposals must illustrate that the chosen topic is of shared concern for the European Union as a global actor and for its partners in other continents. Applicants are invited to submit their proposals by 30 April 2010 latest (more under Information for Applicants 78e (pdf, 178 KB)).
In 2009, in a first round preparatory funds could be applied for. From 136 proposals a panel of external reviewers finally selected a total of twelve; the Foundation partners made available an amount of EUR 500,000 for these researchers to further elaborate their concepts. Following the closing date of 30 April 2010 the applications will come under review anew. Some 15 successful research groups will then be invited to present their projects to a panel of experts in Hanover. The Volkswagen Foundation will communicate the results in spring 2011.
Information on the twelve projects receiving preparatory grants can be found in the project-overview "Results of Stockholm meeting" (pdf, 18 KB).
