Our Funding Portfolio

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

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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zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Funding portfolio

We support future-oriented topics with our funding offers.

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Data Reuse – Additional Funding for the Preparation and Storage of Research Data (Open Science)

The funding offer aims at grantees of the Volkswagen Foundation, eligible are current projects and projects that have been funded approximately in the last 6 months.

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area of research: all

funding for: preparation and storing of research data for its reuse
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
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
No open call

Pioneer Projects – Impetus for the German Research System

The funding offer addresses active researchers who, in addition to their research activities, would like to explore a project idea for the further development (of a specific area) of the German research system, as well as academic administrators at universities and research institutions in Germany.

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area of research: all disciplines

type of funding: Innovative pioneer projects aiming at improving the (German) research system
No open call

Open Up – New Research Spaces for the Humanities and Cultural Studies

The funding initiative addresses teams of two or three researchers who aim to explore new and original research spaces.

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area of research: humanities and cultural studies, theoretical social sciences

type of funding: research projects; funding of a teaching substitute
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