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

Bücherstapel

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.

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humanoider Kopf einer Maschine

Societal Transformations

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

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Hand mit Kompass

Exploration

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

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Schachfigur "Pferd"

SPRUNG

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Mann mit Erlenmeyerkolben, darin grüner Inhalt

Thekla Ehling für VolkswagenStiftung

Is it possible to transfer artificial photosynthesis from the test tube into the cell?

More on Tobias Erb's story: "Artificial Photosynthesis: The decisive step forward "

Events

  • Expert meeting
  • Symposium

Feb. 10, 2023, 01:00 PM - Feb. 11, 2023, 03:00 PM

Weltoffen vor Ort - Welche Rolle spielen Hochschulen an ihrem Standort?

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Wegweiser Universität vor blauem Himmel
  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Science Movie Night

Feb. 17, 2023, 06:00 PM - Feb. 17, 2023, 09:00 PM

Frauen in der DDR: Wie gleichberechtigt waren sie wirklich?

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Titelbild des zweiten Frauenkongresses der DDR. Konterfei einer Frau und DDR Wappen
  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Forum
  • With live stream

Feb. 21, 2023, 07:00 PM - Feb. 21, 2023, 09:00 PM

Entfesselte Aggression - Wie entsteht Gewalt?

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Auszug aus dem Wörterbuch zum Eintrag "aggression"

Newsroom

Funding offer

Circularity with recycled and biogenic resources

#Sustainability

The funding line ‘Collaborative projects’ of this initiative is primarily targeted at the natural sciences and engineering.  We offer a Q&A-session (online) on Jan. 24, 2023. Deadline for application is March 1, 2023. 

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Mann mit Globus
News

Earth system science as a new leading concept for the geosciences

At a Leopoldina symposium held on December 19, 2022, the Secretary General of the Volkswagen Foundation Dr. Georg Schütte presented a new funding initiative. Fifty years after publication of the "Limits to Growth" report, the foundation creates a renewed geo-scientific focus on the Earth system as a whole. 

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Newsroom

Fledermaus an einer Pflanze
Event

Workshop "Risky research: normality or exception? Challenges for research and research funding"

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Event

Wohl oder Übel? Reichtum und seine Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaft

Der Reichtum Einzelner muss nicht zu Neid und Konflikten führen, sondern kann auch positive Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaft haben. Wie Reichtum und Armut sich gegenseitig bedingen und wo sie positiv aufeinander einwirken können, diskutieren Expert:innen am 24. Januar 2023 in Hannover.

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