Thematic Focus

Democracy and Science

Graphic with young people giving political messages at a demonstration.

VolkswagenStiftung

Ein Magazin mit dem Titel "Impulse" liegt auf einem grauen Sofa
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IMPULSE-Magazine 2025: Protecting democracy

In the current issue of our magazine IMPULSE, we ask: What holds us together in the face of the crisis of democracy? What fact-based concepts does science provide us with to keep democracy strong and alive?

IMPULSE magazine "Protecting democracy"

A free science needs a free society: We support a wide range of interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research projects that are dedicated to highly topical issues of democracy research - and present them to you in this thematic focus.

How can we protect our democracy? How can science generate political recommendations for action on pressing socio-political issues with due haste? How can public awareness of anti-democratic tendencies be further raised? Scientists are looking for answers - we support them in their endeavours.

 

Illustration: Reproduktion von Reichtum

SurfUpVector, Andrii – www.istockphoto.com

How does politics contribute to growing economic inequality?

To the article about the project

News on #Democracy

Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
News 29 July 2025

Focus on Democratic Change: Nine New Research Projects Receive Funding

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Ein Magazin mit dem Titel "Impulse" liegt auf einem grauen Sofa
Publication of the Foundation 30 June 2025

Now online: IMPULSE magazine "Protecting democracy"

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Reichstagkuppel von Innen
Interview 25 June 2025

'We cannot predict whether democracy will last'

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Cover der Broschüre "Empfehlungen des Bürgerrats "KI und Freiheit"
Interview 19 June 2025

Finally having a say on AI - insights into the Citizens' Assembly "AI and freedom"

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Eine Illustration einer Person mit Handy, die schlangenhaft von Social media Beiträgen angegriffen wird. Eine Person, die einen protesteanten interviewt. Die Karte von Deutschland, aus der schwarz-rot-goldene Tropfen heraustropfen.
Story 22 May 2025

What fascinates young people about the far right?

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Illustration: Reproduktion von Reichtum
Story 14 May 2025

Politics and wealth: a lopsided alliance?

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Funding Offers #Demokratie

  • Illustration with a group of protesting people
    09 September 2025 Deadline 'collaborative projects'
    Next deadline for 'taskforces' is expected for the 2nd half of 2026

    Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change – Transdisciplinary Perspectives

    The call addresses persons from science together with actors outside of academia who are interested in transdisciplinary research and aim at jointly developing new perspectives on democratic forms of government under change.

    Learn more
    • areas of research: humanities, cultural and social sciences (lead); cooperation with natural, life, data and technical sciences possible
    • type of funding: task forces, cooperation projects
  • Illustration with a man against a green background, spreading his arms in welcome
    Applications can be submitted at any time starting from 15 January 2026

    Transatlantic Bridge Professorships

    Funding programme for professors in the humanities and social sciences currently working in the USA who wish to work both in the USA and in Germany.

    Learn more
    • area of research: Humanities and Social Sciences
    • type of funding: Proportional financing of a professorship in Germany

Events #Demokratie

  • Public event

11 Oct 2025, 11:00 a.m. - 01:00 p.m.

Starke Männer braucht das Land? Frauen zwischen Aufbruch und Rollback

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Zwei graue Zwerge blicken grimmig auf eine Gruppe bunter Gartenzwerge.