Newsroom

Type

Topics

Funding offer 22 April 2024

Additional Funding for Science Communication

Current grantees of the Volkswagen Foundation can apply for additional support for innovative projects aimed at communicating science. Deadline for application is June 17, 2025.

Learn more
Illu with two portraits, a microphone in the background
Interview 18 April 2024

Wanted: scientific frontrunners for "Pioneering Research - Exploring the Unknown Unknown"

The new call for proposals for "Pioneering Research - Exploring the Unknown Unknown" offers higher funding amounts and longer funding periods. Pavel Dutow and Theresa Greupner explain what has changed and who can apply. Application deadline for the program is Sept. 3, 2024.

Learn more
Funding offer 12 March 2024

Themed week on water between extremes (completed)

Apply now with your symposium: Our themed week on water between the extremes will take place from October 9 to 11, 2024 in Hannover. Deadline for application is March 12, 2024

Learn more
Faces of Annabella Hüfler-Fick und Mona Weyrauch.
Interview 06 March 2024

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.

Learn more
Grafik von Tieren, über denen eine Spritze zu sehen ist
News 05 March 2024

Experiments with Animals – Statement

Why the Volkswagen Foundation also funds projects involving experiments with animals.

Learn more
Adelheid Wessler looks at tha camera.
Interview 22 February 2024

Transdisciplinary research: "We firmly believe this concept works"

The Volkswagen Foundation believes that transdisciplinary research is a promising way of tackling major future issues. In the following interview, team leader Adelheid Wessler explains how the Foundation wants to create new funding opportunities to help establish this methodological approach over the long term – alongside basic and discipline-defined research.

Learn more

Stories

Eine Frau, die aufmerksam zuhört
Story 06 March 2025

So that everyone can have their say: Citizens' assembly on AI research

Rhetoric expert Anika Kaiser researches how people can make themselves heard on the major issues of our time – artificial intelligence (AI) being a case in point. She is the right person to take care that this grassroots democratic process does not remain too detached from reality: in her first life, she trained as a painter.

Read article
Frauen mit Kopftüchern sitzen an Tischen und haben Steinblöcke mit Inschriften vor sich liegen, die sie betrachten.
Story 26 February 2025

Archaeology as reconstruction: Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Mosul

He came to Mosul with the task of excavating ancient Nineveh. In the meantime, however, the mission of the ancient orientalist Stefan Maul goes far beyond this: he is rebuilding the study of antiquity in Iraq. And he is teaching the people what the Islamists robbed them of: pride in their cultural heritage.

Read article