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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No open call

Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown

The funding offer addresses outstanding post-doctoral researchers and professors universities and research institutes in Germany, international cooperation partners are possible.

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area of research: all disciplines

up to 1.3 million Euro
Next deadline is expected for spring/summer 2025

Researching Research: Summer Schools & Workshops

The program addresses scholars from diverse disciplinary backgrounds working on questions or topics relating to research on research.

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area of research: disciplines conducting research on research

type of funding: summer schools and workshops
next deadline in 2025

Circularity with recycled and biogenic resources

The current call within the funding line 'Collaborative projects' of this initiative is primarily targeted at the natural sciences and engineering.

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area of research: natural sciences and engineering, if required social sciences

type of funding: research projects
December 2024: Themed week in Hannover

Themed Week 'Digital Competences in Science'

Stakeholders from research, infrastructure areas, science management, libraries, technical services and administration can apply with their symposium.

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subject area: all

funding for scientific events
Next deadline is expected for 2025

Perspectives on Wealth: Repercussions of Wealth

The call is aimed at (inter-)national research consortia, collaborations with partners from LMICs are preferable, transdisciplinary consortia possible.

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area of research: Humanities, cultural and social sciences, economics (lead); cooperations with natural, life, data and technical science possible

type of funding: (inter-)national cooperation projects with up to five partners