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Über die zunehmenden gesellschaftlichen Spannungen und Polarisierungen, den Verlust an gegenseitigem Verständnis und die Herausforderungen für den Dialog sprechen Expert:innen am 15. Januar 2026 in Hannover.

The work of the Volkswagen Foundation would not be possible without the help of experts from all over the world. They support us, for example, in generating ideas, developing new funding programs and, last but not least, in reviewing funding applications.

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

How can our society become sustainable? The Volkswagen Foundation is funding eight new research projects with a total of €14.4 million. They are approaching this question from different angles – together with partners from the field. Topics include among others smart technologies in urban areas and the use of AI in urban development.

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? 

The "Living Handbook of Science Communication and Science Studies" is a freely accessible online platform that provides information about the science system and communication between research and society.