The media is increasingly full of gloomy news – wars, climate warming, crisis of democracy. What can be done to counteract the negative effects? The funding initiative "Change! Fellowships and Research Groups" aims to bring about social change through the findings of transdisciplinary research. Annabella Hüfler-Fick and Mona Weyrauch provide information about what researchers need to consider when applying.

Why the Volkswagen Foundation also funds projects involving experiments with animals.

Apply now with your symposium: With a themed week in December 2024, the Volkswagen Foundation would like to contribute to making ideas and initiatives on digital competences in science more visible and to promote interdisciplinary and supra-regional exchange. The themed week is primarily aimed at applicants from core facilities, science management, libraries, technical services and administration. Deadline: May 7, 2024

The Volkswagen Foundation believes that transdisciplinary research is a promising way of tackling major future issues. In the following interview, team leader Adelheid Wessler explains how the Foundation wants to create new funding opportunities to help establish this methodological approach over the long term – alongside basic and discipline-defined research.

Funding is provided for workshops and summer schools which offer opportunities for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers acquire additional expertise, methodological skills, and knowledge about ways of working that are crucial for further development of the research field. Deadline: January 15, 2024

In the following statement, the Volkswagen Foundation reaffirms its commitment to the protection of democracy and academic freedom.