As a private research funding organization, we support researchers with creative ideas aimed at changing the world of science – something we have been doing for more than 60 years now. Our mission: We endow knowledge.

Visit our funding portfolio Who we are

We provide support in four profile areas

Pile of books

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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humanoider Kopf einer Maschine

Societal Transformations

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

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Hand with compass

Exploration

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

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Schachfigur "Pferd"

zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Hand an Matratzenberg

Circular economy - new life for old mattresses

TO THE STORY ABOUT THE ‘REFOAM’ PROJECT BY PETER QUICKER AND HIS TEAM

Events

  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Science Movie Night

Sep. 20, 2024, 06:00 PM - 09:45 PM

Just look up! Wie wir apokalyptische Botschaften besser wahrnehmen können

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Werden wir die Warnungen der Wissenschaft erhören, wenn ein Asteroid auf die Erde zurast? (Grafik: lassedesignen/stock.adobe.com)
  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Extra

Oct. 07, 2024, 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM

Antisemitismus und seine vielen Gesichter: Auftakt einer Vortragsreihe

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Das Bild zeigt eine Hand, die ein Pappschild hochhält. Darauf steht geschrieben "Gegen jeden Antisemitismus". Im Hintergrund sieht man die deutsche und die israelische Flagge.
  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Late
  • With live stream

Oct. 22, 2024, 08:30 PM - 10:30 PM

Zwischen Promille und Publicity: Was Kommunikation über Alkohol und Sucht ausmacht

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Szene DJ und Publikum in loungiger Atmosphäre

Newsroom

Zwei Hände halten einen grünen Sack mit Reishülsen
Story 10. September 2024

Affordable water-purification from waste

Trained as a mechanical engineer, the Kampala-based researcher Peter W. Olupot has spent the last decade finding ways to produce affordable water purification systems using rice husks, a common byproduct of rice production.

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Portrait eines Mannes
Story 03. September 2024

Preventing future pandemics through community empowerment

Human societies transform the natural environment around them. If this impact is negative, it can increase infectious disease risk. Epidemiologist Joacim Rocklöv believes changing human behavior is critical to preventing pandemics from happening in the future. 

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