Newsroom

Ein Baum wächst aus einem Karteikartenfach.
In Brief 03 December 2025

Call for Contributions: Living Handbook of Science Communication and Science Studies

The "Living Handbook of Science Communication and Science Studies" is a freely accessible online platform that provides information about the science system and communication between research and society.

Personen sitzen an einem Tisch
Event Report 25 November 2025

Academic Freedom Under Pressure

At the Falling Walls Science Summit 2025, leading representatives of the scientific community discussed threats to academic freedom – and how research institutions can strengthen their resilience.

Eine Frau steht vor einem großen Plakat mit der Aufschrift "Falling Walls Science Summit"
Interview 11 November 2025

Breaking the Wall: Healthy Aging in Women

Ângela Gonçalves is this year's winner of the Women's Impact Award and Science Breakthrough of the Year. Her research is revolutionising our understanding of women's health and ageing. The Volkswagen Foundation supports the Women's Impact Award together with ‘Falling Walls Female Science Talents’ and the Elsevier Foundation.

Frau hält eine rote Karte mit der Aufschrift "Which are the next walls to fall?"
In Brief 29 October 2025

The Volkswagen Foundation at Falling Walls 2025

Register now for the free livestream: Falling Walls will take place in Berlin from 6 to 9 November 2025. Here is an overview of all live-streamed events in which the foundation is involved.

Illustration mit einer Frau vor einer Insel mit Leuchtturm
News 23 October 2025

Coasts Under Pressure – New Strategies for Coastal Protection

Storm surges, rising sea levels, endangered coasts: as part of her Change! Fellowship, Dr Claudia Wolff from the University of Kiel is working with local stakeholders to find new ways of ensuring sustainable coastal protection on the Baltic Sea.

Illustration mit Mann mit Schutzhelm vor einer Brückenbaustelle, an der zwei unterschiedliche Brücken, eine mit US und eine mit deutscher Fahne, aufeinandertreffen
In Brief 13 October 2025

New Bridge Professorships for Transatlantic Research

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. Online Q&A on 9 December 2025.

Stories

Foto einer einzelnen Manganknolle
Story 15 July 2026

Manganese Nodules and Microorganisms: Life Fuelled by Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is generally considered harmful to life. Yet in manganese nodules in the deep sea, microorganisms might benefit from it. Or even live off it? This is the intriguing hypothesis that geoscientist Walter Geibert hopes to prove.

Satellitenansicht der Innertropischen Konvergenzzone
Story 09 June 2026

Climate Research Using Old Ship’s Logs: the Wind Leaves no Trace on the Sea

Did a volcanic eruption in 1783 shift the tropical rain belt? Old ship’s logs could provide the answer – and also shed light on the future climate for millions of people living around the equator.

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