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

  • Expert meeting
  • Symposium

Wed, 25 Mar 2026, 12:00 p.m. to Thu, 26 Mar 2026, 3:00 p.m.

Final Symposium „NEXT – Law Between Normativity and Reality”

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  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Late
  • With live stream

Wed, 8 Apr 2026, 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Stromhungrige KI: Nachhaltige Wege zu mehr Künstlicher Intelligenz

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Newsroom

Farblich eingefärbte Weltkarte, die den Zustand des Academic Freedom in allen Ländern im Jahr 2025 zeigt.
News 17 March 2026

Academic Freedom Index: The Autonomy of Universities in the USA Falls Far Behind Peer Group

The new Academic Freedom Index (AFI) report provides an overview of the state of academic freedom worldwide. The data suggests a link between the institutional autonomy of universities and the individual freedom of researchers. In the US, a comparative analysis reveals a dramatic decline in university autonomy.

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Illustration mit zwei Frauen und einem Mikrofon
Interview 05 March 2026

Become an "Agent of Change!": The Program Directors explain how it works

The media is increasingly full of gloomy news – wars, climate warming, crisis of democracy. What can be done to counteract the negative effects? The funding initiative "Change! Fellowships and Research Groups" aims to bring about social change through the findings of transdisciplinary research. Annabella Hüfler-Fick and Mona Weyrauch provide information about what researchers need to consider when applying.

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