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Ein Magazin mit dem Titel "Impulse" liegt auf einem grauen Sofa
Publication of the Foundation 30 June 2025

Now online: IMPULSE magazine "Protecting democracy"

What holds our society together in the face of the crisis of democracy? What concepts does science offer us to keep democracy strong and vibrant? We explore these questions in the latest issue of our magazine IMPULSE (in German).

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Das Foto zeigt mehrere nebeneinander liegende Hefte mit Aufdruck "status 2024"
Publication of the Foundation 27 June 2025

status 2024 – Annual report of the Volkswagen Foundation

In 2024, the Volkswagen Foundation approved 728,8 million euros for scientific projects. Figures, data and facts from our 2024 annual report.

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Reichstagkuppel von Innen
Interview 25 June 2025

'We cannot predict whether democracy will last'

Germany is at the centre of a maelstrom of global crises and conflicts. Right-wing populists are enjoying growing popularity. And many solutions are expected from the new federal government. And quickly! A conversation between sociologist Steffen Mau and Georg Schütte, CEO of the Volkswagen Foundation, about the end of the 'fair-weather democracy' (Mau) and the journey into the unknown.

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Cover der Broschüre "Empfehlungen des Bürgerrats "KI und Freiheit"
Interview 19 June 2025

Finally having a say on AI - insights into the Citizens' Assembly "AI and freedom"

Have your say on artificial intelligence and help shape the future of research on the topic.  Forty randomly selected citizens from Baden-Württemberg have set themselves this task. They came together over a period of several months in the Citizens' Council called ‘Artificial Intelligence and Freedom’.

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Menschen, die miteinander diskutieren, im Vordergrund ein klassizistisches, helles Gebäude
In Brief 13 June 2025

Research meets politics and practice: Working together to combat loneliness

From 11 to 13 June 2025, around 150 participants from over 30 countries are meeting in Hanover for the first of two foundation-funded theme weeks on '(Tackling) Loneliness'.

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Illustration mit einer einzelnen Person und einer Gruppe von Menschen
In Brief 10 June 2025

Guide for Funders Looking into Distributed Peer Review

The Volkswagen Foundation has been experimenting with "Distributed Peer Review" since 2024. The RoRI is evaluating the experiment, in which applicants review each other's applications. One result of the collaboration is a DPR guideline, which the RoRI has now presented.

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Our Focus

Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
Democracy and Science
Bach vor einzelnen Häusern in weiter Landschaft, im Hintergrund hohe Berge
Global Engagement
Illustration mit drei Figuren, die Kommentare zu einer zentralen Darstellung mit Diagrammen machen
Transdisciplinariy
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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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