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Ein Knoten aus drei Bändern
News 29 June 2021

Science communication: Foundation funds four new centers for research

How does science communication work? Which conditions are supportive? In order to sustainably advance research on science communication in Germany, the Foundation is funding four consortia with 15 million euros.

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Farbverlauf von hellgrün zu hellblau
In Brief 28 June 2021

status 2020 - The Volkswagen Foundation in figures

The Volkswagen Foundation approved EUR 248.5 million for scientific projects in the 2020 Corona year. The foundation's assets are almost unchanged at EUR 3.55 billion. Here you will find the most important figures, data and facts from our 2020 annual report.

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Die Hände einer Großmutter nehmen die Hände eines Kindes
Interview 02 June 2021

New funding offer: Aging Society in Europe

The "Challenges and Potentials for Europe" program gets a new focus. Funding manager Dr. Annabella Fick explains just what is changing and why.

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News 03 March 2021

The Volkswagen Foundation’s new funding strategy

The Volkswagen Foundation is realigning its funding strategy, with the three profile areas "Exploration", "Understanding Research – Evaluation and Science Practice", and "Societal Transformations", as well as the cross-sectional area "Science in Society".

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News 18 February 2021

Freigeist Fellowships: 12.2 million euros for nine exceptional research personalities

Nine early career scientists have been awarded prestigious Freigeist Fellowships for their daring projects. A Freigeist Fellowship offers creative minds maximum freedom and a clear time perspective for their research.

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Henrike Hartmann und Georg Schütte
Interview 16 February 2021

"Swimming ahead of the tide"

The Foundation develops a radical new take on the future: and asks its researchers to do the same. A talk on strategy with Georg Schütte and Henrike Hartmann.

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Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
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Bach vor einzelnen Häusern in weiter Landschaft, im Hintergrund hohe Berge
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Stories

Portrait einer Frau in einem weitläufigen Flur
Story 08 October 2025

Christina Roggatz: Science that makes waves

Marine scientist Dr Christina Roggatz from the University of Bremen is leading her own team for the first time – and through her work wants to arrive at a better understanding of climate change. Here she gives us an insight into her everyday life as leader of a junior research group.

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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.

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