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

  • Expert meeting
  • Symposium

Wed, 24 Jun 2026, 12:00 p.m. to Thu, 25 Jun 2026, 1:00 p.m.

International Science & Policy Symposium (ISPS 2026) - Collaborate to Innovate: Advancing Global Research Amid Geopolitical Challenges

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  • 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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Newsroom

Illustration mit Mann mit Schutzhelm vor einer Brückenbaustelle, an der zwei unterschiedliche Brücken, eine mit US und eine mit deutscher Fahne, aufeinandertreffen
News 16 June 2026

Erste transatlantische Brückenprofessuren bewilligt

Political scientist Daniel Ziblatt, historian Mariana Cândido and legal scholar Russell Miller are receiving funding from the Volkswagen Foundation under the "Transatlantic Bridge Professorships" programme.

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Illustration with a man against a green background, spreading his arms in welcome
Funding Offer 15 June 2026

Transatlantic Bridge Professorships

The programme is aimed at professors at US universities who are conducting research on the future of democracy, fundamental rights and academic freedom, or the future of transatlantic relations and who would like to work simultaneously in both the USA and Germany for a period of three years. Applications can be submitted at any time, Online Q&A session for host institutions on 25 June (registration required)

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