As a private research funding organization, we support researchers with creative ideas aimed at changing the world of science – something we have been doing for more than 60 years now. Our mission: We endow knowledge.

Visit our funding portfolio Who we are

We support

Pile of books

Understanding Research

Critically exploring and reflecting on the research system with a view to initiating positive change on areas such as career paths, governance, research and teaching.

Learn more
humanoider Kopf einer Maschine

Societal Transformations

Expanding knowledge about processes of transformation and developing possible courses of action together with stakeholders in civil society.

Learn more
Hand with compass

Exploration

Breaking into previously unexplored research territory with unconventional ideas and experimental approaches.

Learn more
Schachfigur "Pferd"

zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

Learn more
Portrait eines Mannes vor dunklem Hintergrund

Felix Albertin für VolkswagenStiftung

Can optimised climate models predict our future?

More on Niklas Boers's story: "New climate models for reliable future scenarios"

Events

  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Xchange

Dec. 05, 2023, 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Fitter, gelassener, erfolgreicher - Wie viel (Selbst-)Optimierung brauchen wir?

Learn more
  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Gespräch
  • With live stream

Dec. 07, 2023, 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Alt, fit, leistungsstark - vom Umgang mit dem Altern (in) unserer Gesellschaft

Learn more
Älterer Mann nimmt ältere Frau huckepack. Beide lachen.
  • Expert meeting
  • Symposium

Dec. 11, 2023, 09:00 AM - Dec. 12, 2023, 01:00 PM

Kick Off "Aufbruch"

Learn more
Zu sehen sind drei junge Menschen vor einem Berggipfel, ausgerüstet mit Rucksäcken, bereit den Berg zu besteigen.

Newsroom

Funding offer

New call: Transdisciplinary Approaches to Mobility and Global Health

With this joint call, the Novo Nordisk Foundation (Denmark), Wellcome (UK) and the Volkswagen Foundation are funding multi-perspective research into the interactions between mobility and health. Deadline for pilot projects: March 25, 2024

Read article
Funding offer

"Momentum" initiative provides funding for recently tenured professors

The Volkswagen Foundation supports professors three to five years after taking up their first tenured professorship at a university in Germany.  Next deadline for application is April 24, 2024. Questions? Visit our online Q&A on Feb. 01, 2024 (in German) or Feb. 08, 2024 (in English).

Read article