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

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: April 2, 2025; online Q&As on Jan. 31 and Feb. 19

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.  

Interdisciplinary tandems of two scientists from the natural, life or technical sciences can apply for funding for measures that enable them to devote more time to free creative thinking. Online Q&A: April 15 and 24 at 10:30 AM. Deadline: June 5, 2025

​The programme provides Lower Saxonian and Scottish higher education institutions and their researchers with an opportunity to conduct joint research to lay the foundation for successful third-party funding bids, in particular Horizon Europe. Deadline: June, 30 2025

The foundation has brought together researchers from the humanities, cultural studies, and social sciences, as well as practitioners from outside academia, to develop new ideas and solutions for making democracies more resilient.