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Funding Offer 16 February 2026

Change! Fellowships

With the new funding program, the Volkswagen Foundation supports scientists who conduct research on transformation processes and, with the help of their network, put their knowledge into practice. Next deadline for Fellowships in 2027

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Funding Offer 10 February 2026

Apply Now: Scoping Workshops

This is about the future of your research area: What is the current status? What prospects are there for further development - and how can they be realised? With the "Scoping Workshops" the foundation offers space for discussion and intensive exchange. Online Q&A (in German) on 12 February, deadline: 17 March 2026.

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Funding Offer 09 February 2026

"Momentum" Initiative Provides Funding for Recently Tenured Professors

The Volkswagen Foundation supports professors three to five years after taking up their first tenured professorship at a university in Germany.  The next application deadline: 6 April 2027

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Funding Offer 15 January 2026

New Funding Programme: Calling for Europe's Security Experts of the Future

We are looking for the security experts of the future: The call is aimed at young postdoctoral researchers who do research on the nexus of security and technology with a distinct European perspective. Online Q&A: 9 April, application deadline: 5 May 2026

Danke in vielen verschiedenen Sprachen
News 08 January 2026

Many Thanks to Our Supporters!

The work of the Volkswagen Foundation would not be possible without the help of experts from all over the world. They support us, for example, in generating ideas, developing new funding programmes and, last but not least, in reviewing funding applications.

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Funding Offer 06 January 2026

Opus Magnum

The Opus Magnum funding initiative offers outstanding professors from the humanities and social sciences the opportunity to write a larger scientific work, relieved by a teaching substitution. Deadline: 18 November, 2026

Stories

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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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