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.

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 program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Funding portfolio

We focus our funding activities on selected initiatives. By means of these initiatives, we endeavor to provide effective stimuli for research and to establish forward-looking topics.

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next deadline is expected in 2025

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

up to 500,000 Euro
December 2024: Themed week in Hannover

Themed Week 'Digital Competences in Science'

Stakeholders from research, infrastructure areas, science management, libraries, technical services and administration can apply with their symposium.

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subject area: all

funding for scientific events
May 08, 2024 Deadline

Perspectives on Wealth: Repercussions of Wealth

The call is aimed at (inter-)national research consortia, collaborations with partners from LMICs are preferable, transdisciplinary consortia possible.

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area of research: Humanities, cultural and social sciences, economics (lead); cooperations with natural, life, data and technical science possible

type of funding: (inter-)national cooperation projects with up to five partners
Next deadline is expected in autumn 2024

Researching Research: Collaborative Research Projects

The funding scheme is aimed at scientists and scholars of all career stages from postdoc onwards who work on issues related to research on research. The Foundation promotes interdisciplinary, multi-method and internationally oriented research projects.

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area of research: disciplines conducting research on research

type of funding: research projects