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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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Cover des Jahresberichts 2020
Publication of the Foundation 28 June 2021

Annual Report: Status 2020

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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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Cover Impulse 2021
Publication of the Foundation 23 June 2021

Impulse 2021 (in German): "Nur nicht aufhalten lassen!"

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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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Dinosaurier an einem Strand
Story 20 May 2021

Dinosaur fate as science communication

A paleontological graphic novel brings a herd of Europasaurus dinosaurs and their ecosystem back to life – based on the fossil finds near Goslar.

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Our Focus

Illustration, die zwei Hände zeigt, die einen Vorhang öffnen
Basic research
Illustration mit drei Personen, zwei davon mit Megafon, eine Person hält sich die Hand ans Ohr, wie um besser zu hören
Science Communication
Grafik mit jungen Menschen, die politische Botschaften auf einer Demonstration von sich geben.
Democracy and Science
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Stories

Foto einer einzelnen Manganknolle
Story 15 July 2026

Manganese Nodules and Microorganisms: Life Fuelled by Radioactivity?

Radioactivity is generally considered harmful to life. Yet in manganese nodules in the deep sea, microorganisms might benefit from it. Or even live off it? This is the intriguing hypothesis that geoscientist Walter Geibert hopes to prove.

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Illustration, die eine Person mit EEG-Haube zeigt, die auf dem Kopf steht.
Story 08 July 2026

Basic Research: Exploring the unknown

What happens in the brain when we are confronted with completely unknown things and situations? At TU Dresden, Christian Beste is researching what is known as the "unknown unknown". To do so, he is turning science on its head.

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