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zwei Personen mit Lupen betrachten ein Gebäude mit Aufschrift "Scientia"
In Brief 05 August 2025

Science and politics in conflict: new research projects receive funding

Five new collaborative projects will focus on how science develops in a world shaped by political demands, global networking and digital challenges. The Volkswagen Foundation is providing around €4.9 million in funding for these projects as part of its 'Researching Research' initiative.

Ukrainische Flagge
In Brief 04 August 2025

A new beginning for the Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry

Ukraine faces the challenge of rebuilding its economy. A new research project is investigating how its industrial heritage can be effectively leveraged to modernise the pharmaceutical industry and integrate it into the European market.

Ein Pokal aus Glas steht auf einem Tisch.
News 31 July 2025

Women's Impact Award 2025: Three winners nominated

Together with "Falling Walls Female Science Talents" and the Elsevier Foundation, the Volkswagen Foundation sponsors the Women's Impact Award. The shortlist of winners for 2025 has now been finalised - congratulations!

Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
News 29 July 2025

Focus on Democratic Change: Nine New Research Projects Receive Funding

The VolkswagenStiftung has granted approximately €1.6 million to support nine innovative projects addressing current democratic challenges: from digital deradicalisation strategies and democratic structural reforms to protecting museums from far-right attacks. These projects adopt transdisciplinary approaches with practical relevance. 

Illustration mit zwei Portraitbildern
Interview 15 July 2025

AI & Society: An initiative with impact

For five years, the foundation supported projects addressing the social dimension of artificial intelligence. We look back on the successes, challenges and the question of how sustainable the initiative's impact has been – and look ahead to the future.

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 09 July 2025

How does working with AI impact on research?

As a tool of science, artificial intelligence entails numerous risks, opportunities, and ambivalences. These need to be identified and classified. However, there is no revolution in sight, according to Jens Schröter.

Stories

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 09 July 2025

How does working with AI impact on research?

As a tool of science, artificial intelligence entails numerous risks, opportunities, and ambivalences. These need to be identified and classified. However, there is no revolution in sight, according to Jens Schröter.

Eine Illustration einer Person mit Handy, die schlangenhaft von Social media Beiträgen angegriffen wird. Eine Person, die einen protesteanten interviewt. Die Karte von Deutschland, aus der schwarz-rot-goldene Tropfen heraustropfen.
Story 22 May 2025

What fascinates young people about the far right?

Hostility towards democracy is on the rise in Germany. Yet politicians and academics pay little attention to the attitudes of a particularly important group: young voters. An interdisciplinary project in eastern Germany is determined to change that.