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

Bücherstapel

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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Androiden-Kopf mit technischen Geräten statt des Gehirns

Societal Transformations

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

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Kompass

Exploration

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

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hölzerner Schach-Springer (Pferd)

zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Frau steht in einem langen Flur

Universität Bremen/Matej Meza. Hintergrund mit KI (Photoshop) nach links erweitert

Science that makes waves: The important global role of bacteria in the sea

Read the article about marine scientist Dr Christina Roggatz

Events

  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Gespräch
  • With live stream

15 Jan 2026, 07:00 p.m. - 09:00 p.m.

Hass und kein Ende? Wie Versöhnung gelingen kann

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Schloss Herrenhausen Ansicht Treppe
  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Forum

12 Feb 2026, 07:00 p.m. - 09:00 p.m.

Gutes und Böses Denken von Leibniz bis heute

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Schwarzweißbild einer Figur, die an einer Kreuzung dreier Wege steht

Newsroom

Illustration mit einem Gewichtheber im Anzug, der Bücher stemmt
Funding Offer 06 January 2026

Opus Magnum

The Opus Magnum funding initiative offers outstanding professors from the humanities and social sciences the opportunity to write a larger scientific work, relieved by a teaching substitution. Deadline: 18 November, 2026

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mehrere Personen stehen um einen flachen Bildschirm, auf dem eine in verschiedenen Farben eingefärbte Weltkarte zu sehen ist, dahinter steht ein Banner mit der Aufschrift "Index der Wissenschaftsfreiheit"
Interview 08 December 2025

'The question of social impact challenges science'

Every day, Katrin Kinzelbach and Lars Lott could stand in a lecture hall explaining the Academic Freedom Index. Demand is high. So is the burden on the researchers. How can a balance be struck between science and impact? 

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