Newsroom

Interview 30 September 2019

"We Need Interdisciplinary Cooperation on Equal Terms"

In its funding initiative on artificial intelligence (AI), the Foundation promotes close collaboration between the technical and social sciences in order to enable future-oriented AI research in the interests of society at large. An interview with the initiative's program directors.

News 06 September 2019

Interdisciplinarity - Buzzword or Indispensable Concept?

An international symposium at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin on October 3 and 4, 2019 discusses the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation and new perspectives.

News 03 September 2019

Freigeist Fellowships: Around 10 Million Euro for Extraordinary Researchers

They set themselves apart from the mainstream and deliberately tackle high-risk research questions: Nine young researchers have now convinced the Volkswagen Foundation's international panel of experts and board of trustees with their unconventional projects. Their 'Freigeist' Fellowship gives them maximum freedom and a clear time perspective for their research. 

News 19 August 2019

"Our Future Depends on the Next Generation of Scientists."

Interview with Dr. Christian Peters, co-organizer of the conference "Forces and Forms of Doctoral Education Worldwide" in Hanover, Germany on September 5 to 6, 2019

Interview 14 August 2019

Why Robotics Needs Responsibility

Ethical aspects are rarely considered when it comes to the design and the programming of a robot. This is where Aimee van Wynsberghe, co-founder and co-director of the Foundation for Responsible Robotics, is stepping in.

Cover des Jahresberichts 2018
Publication of the Foundation 01 July 2019

Annual Report 2018

Stories

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 26 March 2026

Hybrid Computers Made of Nerves and Fibre Optics

Wolfram Pernice is researching how computers based on neural networks could in future compute even faster and more efficiently – using light instead of electronics. And real nerves instead of optical fibres.

Portrait einer Frau in einem weitläufigen Flur
Story 08 October 2025

Christina Roggatz: Science That Makes Waves

Marine scientist Dr Christina Roggatz from the University of Bremen is leading her own team for the first time – and through her work wants to arrive at a better understanding of climate change. Here she gives us an insight into her everyday life as leader of a junior research group.