New Bridge Professorships for Transatlantic Research
#Global Engagement
Jonas Willingstorfer für VolkswagenStiftung
With its new funding initiative "Transatlantic Bridge Professorships", the Foundation aims to strengthen connections between renowned scholars from the United States and research institutions in Germany. The programme focuses on key topics such as democracy, fundamental rights, and academic freedom.
The Volkswagen Foundation has launched a new funding programme designed to deepen academic dialogue between the United States and Germany. Through the Transatlantic Bridge Professorships, the Foundation supports internationally recognised researchers in the humanities and social sciences who wish to continue their work on major societal issues – including democracy, fundamental rights, academic freedom, and transatlantic relations – at universities in Germany.
“The United States remains one of the world’s leading research nations. Yet the freedom of science there is increasingly under pressure. With the Bridge Professorships, we want to send a signal of solidarity and strengthen academic exchange between Germany and the USA – particularly in times when isolationist and nationalist tendencies are on the rise. Science thrives on openness, trust and international cooperation,” emphasises Dr Georg Schütte, CEO of the Volkswagen Foundation.
Each fellowship will fund a three-year part-time professorship in Germany with up to €300,000. The selected scholars from the United States will spend several months each year at German research institutions, collaborating with local colleagues and contributing their perspectives to public debates. Applications can be submitted from 15 January 2026 onwards.
