Why does neurodegeneration research need new impetus - and how can interdisciplinarity help to achieve a breakthrough? Our Program Directors Dr Theresa Kratzsch and Dr Franziska Rönicke explain the vision behind the new 'NEXT – Rethink Neurodegeneration!' call.

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.

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.

The growing influence of anti-pluralist parties is often accompanied by a decline in academic freedom in the respective country. This is one of the findings of the latest Academic Freedom Index (AFI). It covers 179 countries worldwide.

Science needs creativity - but there is seldom room for it in day-to-day research. The Volkswagen Foundation wants to change this with its new "Night Science" funding programme. In our interview, programme directors Franziska Rönicke and Victoria Abakumovski explain why and how unconventional thinking is supported. Online Q&A: 15 and 24 April, deadline: 5 June 2025

A new initiative offers scientists at universities in Lower Saxony and Scotland the opportunity to conduct joint research. On 6 and 18 March, the contact persons will answer all questions about the offer in online Q&A.