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Funding Offer 29 April 2024

Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown

With the program "Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown", the Foundation supports groundbreaking and risky research ideas with high scientific relevance. 

Funding Offer 22 April 2024

Additional Funding for Science Communication

Current grantees of the Volkswagen Foundation can apply for additional support for innovative projects aimed at communicating science. Deadline for application is June 17, 2025.

Illu with two portraits, a microphone in the background
Interview 18 April 2024

Wanted: scientific frontrunners for "Pioneering Research - Exploring the Unknown Unknown"

The new call for proposals for "Pioneering Research - Exploring the Unknown Unknown" offers higher funding amounts and longer funding periods. Pavel Dutow and Theresa Greupner explain what has changed and who can apply. Application deadline for the program is Sept. 3, 2024.

Funding Offer 12 March 2024

Themed week on water between extremes (completed)

Apply now with your symposium: Our themed week on water between the extremes will take place from October 9 to 11, 2024 in Hannover. Deadline for application is March 12, 2024

Faces of Annabella Hüfler-Fick und Mona Weyrauch.
Interview 06 March 2024

Become an "Agent of Change!": The Program Directors explain how it works

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.

Grafik von Tieren, über denen eine Spritze zu sehen ist
News 05 March 2024

Experiments with Animals – Statement

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

Illustration: Reproduktion von Reichtum
Story 14 May 2025

Politics and wealth: a lopsided alliance?

A small, rich minority is becoming increasingly wealthy. Eva Wegner and Miquel Pellicer ask: How does politics contribute to growing economic inequality – and whose interests do MPs actually represent?

Eine Frau, die aufmerksam zuhört
Story 06 March 2025

So that everyone can have their say: Citizens' assembly on AI research

Rhetoric expert Anika Kaiser researches how people can make themselves heard on the major issues of our time – artificial intelligence (AI) being a case in point. She is the right person to take care that this grassroots democratic process does not remain too detached from reality: in her first life, she trained as a painter.