Newsroom

Die Worte "Max Planck Center for Democracy, Security, and Human Rights" stehen auf blauem Grund.
News 14 July 2026

The Volkswagen Foundation and the Hertie Foundation are Supporting German-Israeli Cooperation on Democracy Research

The Volkswagen Foundation and the Hertie Foundation are each providing 1.25 million euros in support of the newly established Max Planck Centre for Democracy, Security and Human Rights. 

Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
News 13 July 2026

Research Into Democracies in Transition: 14.3 Million Euros for Eleven Transdisciplinary Projects

The Volkswagen Foundation is now supporting eleven new research projects on topics such as cyber violence, gender equality, Muslim family law and far-right interpretations of history, amongst others.

Illustration mit Mann mit Schutzhelm vor einer Brückenbaustelle, an der zwei unterschiedliche Brücken, eine mit US und eine mit deutscher Fahne, aufeinandertreffen
News 16 June 2026

First "Transatlantic bridge professorships" approved

Political scientist Daniel Ziblatt, historian Mariana Cândido and legal scholar Russell Miller are receiving funding from the Volkswagen Foundation under the "Transatlantic Bridge Professorships" programme.

Farblich eingefärbte Weltkarte, die den Zustand des Academic Freedom in allen Ländern im Jahr 2025 zeigt.
News 17 March 2026

Academic Freedom Index: The Autonomy of Universities in the USA Falls Far Behind Peer Group

The new Academic Freedom Index (AFI) report provides an overview of the state of academic freedom worldwide. The data suggests a link between the institutional autonomy of universities and the individual freedom of researchers. In the US, a comparative analysis reveals a dramatic decline in university autonomy.

mehrere Personen stehen um einen flachen Bildschirm, auf dem eine in verschiedenen Farben eingefärbte Weltkarte zu sehen ist, dahinter steht ein Banner mit der Aufschrift "Index der Wissenschaftsfreiheit"
Interview 08 December 2025

'The Question of Social Impact Challenges Science'

Every day, Katrin Kinzelbach and Lars Lott could stand in a lecture hall explaining the Academic Freedom Index. Demand is high. So is the burden on the researchers. How can a balance be struck between science and impact? 

Eine gezeichnete Frau Zwischen Papierstapeln, die in eine Cloud fliegen
News 01 October 2025

Research Meets Administration: Finding Practical Solutions Together

Administration without queues – this could be the outcome of Prof. Dr. Anna Maria Oberländer's 'Change!' project. Her goal: people-centred digital administration.

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.

Mastodon