Our Funding Portfolio

Mehrere Personen mit unterschiedlichen Gegenständen, z. B. Molekülmodell, Globus, Gehirnmodell, Geige

The Volkswagen Foundation is dedicated to the support of the humanities and social sciences as well as science and technology in higher education and research. It funds research projects in path-breaking areas and provides assistance to academic institutions for the improvement of the structural conditions for their work. 

We provide support in four profile areas

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Societal Transformations

Expanding knowledge about processes of transformation and developing possible courses of action together with stakeholders in civil society.

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Exploration

Breaking into previously unexplored research territory with unconventional ideas and experimental approaches.

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Understanding Research

Critically exploring and reflecting on the research system with a view to initiating positive change on areas such as career paths, governance, research and teaching.

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Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Funding portfolio

We support future-oriented topics with our funding offers.

Area of research

Type of funding

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  • Illustration with people sitting around an oversized compass
    05 August 2025 Online Q&A (in German)
    16 September 2025 Deadline

    Scoping Workshops

    The Volkswagen Foundation’s scoping workshops are for scientists who want to take a step beyond their current research activities and think about the future of their field of research.

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    • area of research: all disciplines
    • type of funding: workshops at the conference center Xplanatorium Herrenhausen Palace, Hannover
  • Illustration with several people in a discussion group, Herrenhausen Palace in the foreground
    02 September 2025 Deadline
    15 to 17 April 2026: Theme Week

    Theme Week 'Multiple Crises – Strained Resources'

    Researchers at universities and research institutions in Germany (optionally with international co-applicants) can apply with their symposium. 

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    • area of research: Economics (social and cultural science if applicable)
    • funding for: organization of a scientific symposium within a theme week from 15 to 17 April 2026
  • Illustration with a man sneezing, in the background various means of transport (e.g. aeroplane, train, lorry)
    No open call

    Transdisciplinary Approaches to Mobility and Global Health

    The call is directed at researchers from HICs and LMICs, in close collaboration with local communities, non-academic stakeholders and other relevant actors. It is jointly initiated by the three independent private foundations Novo Nordisk Foundation (Denmark), Wellcome (Great Britain) and Volkswagen Foundation.

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    • areas of research: social sciences, life & health sciences
    • funding for: international collaborative projects
  • Illustration with a group of protesting people
    Online Q&A: 10 July and 18 August (10:00 a.m.)
    09 September 2025 Deadline 'collaborative projects'
    Networking workshop for collaborative projects: Jan. 28-30, 2026
    Next deadline for 'taskforces' is expected for the 2nd half of 2026

    Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change – Transdisciplinary Perspectives

    The call addresses persons from science together with actors outside of academia who are interested in transdisciplinary research and aim at jointly developing new perspectives on democratic forms of government under change.

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    • area of research: humanities, cultural and social sciences (lead); cooperation with natural, life, data and technical sciences possible
    • type of funding: task forces, collaborative projects
  • Logo zukunft.niedersachsen
    01 December 2025 Deadline

    zukunft.niedersachsen: Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship

    The "Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship" addresses academics approaching the end of their early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate.

    Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
    • area of research: all
    • type of funding: additional equipment, if necessary a separate position
  • Logo zukunft.niedersachsen
    Application at any time after consultation with the Volkswagen Foundation

    zukunft.niedersachsen: Lower Saxony Professorship

    The "Lower Saxony Professorship" addresses exceptional academics who are professionally excellent and have several years of (management) experience in the science system. They are expected to have the capacity to shape the profile and structure of their university location and impact the research region at large.

    Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
    • area of research: all
    • type of funding: professorship, additional resources
  • Logo zukunft.niedersachsen
    Deadline: spring 2026

    zukunft.niedersachsen: Research Cooperation Lower Saxony – Israel

    Funding is provided for scientifically outstanding projects conducted jointly by researchers from Israel and Lower Saxony. 

    Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
    • area of research: Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering Sciences (call 2026)
    • type of funding: research projects

Completed 

Here you can find our previous funding offers.

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Funded projects

Our "Grants Database" informs on research projects and researchers who received funds by the Volkswagen Foundation (since 2004).

visit Grants database