Objectives
Multiple crises are currently showing us the ever-increasing importance of self-mediated science communication. Also in the future, trust in and credibility of science will largely depend on how convincingly researchers communicate their knowledge to non-scientific target groups – and in turn how constructively they incorporate the questions, concerns and ideas of these groups.
The Volkswagen Foundation aims to strengthen this dialogical process by supporting science communication in projects it currently funds. In addition, the foundation supports the development of skills in the field of science communication: Applicants are invited to attend one of the workshops on the conception, implementation and distribution of science communication activities before submitting a proposal.
Scope of Funding
The program addresses current grantees of the Volkswagen Foundation and is open for applications on a regular basis.
- Science communication projects: The focus is on supporting dialogic and participatory formats, which are based on innovative, forward-looking concepts and bring public and science closer together.
Please, do plan your project thoroughly: Think carefully about the specific non-university target groups your research project is relevant to, what story you want to tell from your funded project, what scope your communication project can actually cover, and which impact it should have on the relevant target groups.
Proposals will be reviewed by an external, transdisciplinary panel. Application deadline for projects: January 11, 2023.
- Preparatory workshops: We recommend that all grantees planning to apply for additional funding for science communication take part in one of the workshops offered in cooperation with the National Institute for Science Communication (NaWik) in the run-up to the deadline. A first concept for a communication project should be on hand for the workshop. The Foundation expects the participants of the workshops to submit an application by the next deadline. The workshop will be held over two half days and on each of the following dates:
October 27/28, 2022
November 07/08, 2022
November 10/11, 2022
The workshop can be attended by only one person from each project. The number of participants is limited to a maximum of eight persons per workshop. You can register here for the workshops until October 17, 2022.
Further information on the terms and conditions of the call and on how to submit an application can be found under Information for Applicants 118 (pdf).
Background
The Volkswagen Foundation has been involved in science communication and knowledge transfer with various initiatives since 2004. In the Herrenhausen Palace conference center in Hanover, the Foundation also offers the general public panel discussions with top-class experts on current scientific issues, partly in cooperation with public broadcasting media. With its "Science Communication Cubed – Science of Science Communication Centers" program, it promotes and establishes centers at selected universities in which science communication is researched at an internationally competitive level – with partners in Germany and abroad and on issues that are relevant not least to the practice of communication.