Newsroom

Illustration with a hand erasing a drawing of a human brain
Funding Offer 23 April 2025

NEXT – Rethink Neurodegeneration! (completed)

Interdisciplinary research teams investigating the fundamental mechanisms of dementia-causing neurodegeneration are invited to apply up until 28 August 2025.

Illustration mit zwei Frauen und einem Mikrofon
Interview 16 April 2025

Research for democracy: funding programme for cooperation projects

How do democracies change in the face of global challenges? And what can science contribute to their resilience? Researchers and stakeholders outside of academia are to develop answers in cooperation projects funded by the Volkswagen Foundation for up to five years. Nora Kottmann and Cora Schaffert-Ziegenbalg present the programme.

Illustration mit einem Erlenmeyerkolben, aus dem Blätter wachsen
Funding Offer 03 April 2025

Sustainability Funds

Sustainability and a resource-efficient design of research processes are important issues for the foundation. It therefore provides its funding recipients with funds to have their laboratories certified as sustainable through respective certification programmes.

Illustration with several people in a discussion group, Herrenhausen Palace in the foreground
Funding Offer 02 April 2025

Theme Week 'Multiple Crises – Strained Resources'

Apply now with your symposium: The causes, consequences and challenges of strained financial, material and human resources on society and economy are in the focus of the theme week from 15 to 17 April 2026. Deadline: 02 September 2025

Zwei Männer im Kittel stehen vor einem Abzug im Chemielabor und betrachten eine Probe
Interview 27 March 2025

Funds for sustainability in the lab

From energy-intensive equipment and ventilation systems to consumables: scientific research laboratories consume a lot of energy and other resources. Chemist Prof. Dr Nico Bruns from TU Darmstadt explains why it pays to properly organise laboratories with the aim of achieving more sustainably.

Cover mit Aufdruck "Steckbrief"
Publication of the Foundation 24 March 2025

Profile - the Volkswagen Foundation in brief

Stories

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.

Mehrere Personen sitzen zusammen, eine Frau erzählt etwas, ein Mann tippt dabei an einem Laptop. Im Hintergrund sind Bananenpflanzen und ein Dschungel-Wald zu sehen.
Story 27 May 2026

A Pharmacy From the Rainforest: Remedies for the Mind

Fabien Schultz is searching for natural materials that can be used to treat mental health conditions. To this end, he is working with indigenous communities in Uganda and Tanzania – and with monkeys.

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