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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Umgeben von einer Gruppe Menschen macht ein Mann Notizen auf dem Laptop

Inken Dworak-Schultz

Story

Pharmacy from the Rainforest: Remedies for the Mind

To the Article on Ethnopharmacologist Fabien Schultz

Events

  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Forum
  • With live stream

Thu, 9 Jul 2026, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Fesselnd – Faszinierend – Folgenschwer? Warum wir True Crime konsumieren

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  • Expert meeting
  • Symposium

Wed, 26 Aug 2026, 1:00 p.m. to Fri, 28 Aug 2026, 1:00 p.m.

Postdocs and the Research Ecosystem: Shaping Sustainable Career Paths (Theme Week)

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Newsroom

Illustration mit einem Spiegel, davor ein Mann, der in einem Buch liest, im Spiegel ein Mann, der mit Buchstaben jongliert
News 25 June 2026

The Humanities and Social Sciences in 'Dual Use': New Call for Proposals

The Volkswagen Foundation’s new call focuses on the question of how concepts from the humanities and social sciences are transferred to other contexts and utilised there for political or ideological purposes – for example, to undermine trust in science, the media or the institutions of democratic society. The application deadline is 6 October 2026, online Q&As on 11 August and 8 September

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Cover der Broschüre status 2025 - Jahresbericht der VolkswagenStiftung
Publication of the Foundation 19 June 2026

status 2025 - Annual Report of the Volkswagen Foundation

In 2025, the Volkswagen Foundation was once again able to support promising ideas within the German research landscape with a total grant allocation of 310 million euros. Here you will find all the figures, data and facts from our 2025 Annual Report.

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