Our Funding Portfolio

The Volkswagen Foundation is dedicated to the support of the humanities and social sciences as well as science and technology in higher education and research. It funds research projects in path-breaking areas and provides assistance to academic institutions for the improvement of the structural conditions for their work.

We provide support in four profile areas

Societal Transformations

Expanding knowledge about processes of transformation and developing possible courses of action together with stakeholders in civil society.

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Exploration

Breaking into previously unexplored research territory with unconventional ideas and experimental approaches.

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Understanding Research

Critically exploring and reflecting on the research system with a view to initiating positive change on areas such as career paths, governance, research and teaching.

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zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding programme for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Funding portfolio

We support future-oriented topics with our funding offers.

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Application at any time after consultation with the Volkswagen Foundation

zukunft.niedersachsen: Lower Saxony Professorship

The "Lower Saxony Professorship" addresses exceptional academics who are professionally excellent and have several years of (management) experience in the science system. They are expected to have the capacity to shape the profile and structure of their university location and impact the research region at large.

Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
area of research: all

type of funding: professorship, additional resources
No open call

11 September 2026: Meeting of funded projects

Pioneer Projects – Impetus for the German Research System

The funding offer addresses active researchers who, in addition to their research activities, would like to explore a project idea for the further development (of a specific area) of the German research system, as well as academic administrators at universities and research institutions in Germany.

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area of research: all disciplines

type of funding: Innovative pioneer projects aiming at improving the (German) research system
No open call

Scoping Workshops

The Volkswagen Foundation’s scoping workshops are for scientists who want to take a step beyond their current research activities and think about the future of their field of research.

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area of research: all disciplines

type of funding: workshops at the conference center Xplanatorium Herrenhausen Palace, Hannover
Applications cannot currently be submitted

Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme: Stream II – Excellence Track

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.

Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
area of research: all topics, particularly energy (transformation), life sciences, educational sciences, mobility and its transformation as well as security policy

type of funding: cooperative research projects