Thematic Focus

Global Engagement

Bach vor einzelnen Häusern in weiter Landschaft, im Hintergrund hohe Berge

For decades, the Volkswagen Foundation has been providing regional funding, as for example here in the Central Asia/Caucasus region.

Global perspectives in science and science promotion are of central importance for the foundation. Our global engagement is embedded in the foundation’s statutes and funding guidelines. We constantly adapt our international activities to the changing global context to achieve the best possible impact.

We shape our global engagement in a goal-oriented, responsible and flexible manner! 

Guideline for our global engagement

The four foci of our global engagement:

  • Foundation networks and partnerships
  • Global academic cooperations to build mutual trust
  • Competence building to deal with disruptive changes
  • An open, global discourse

   

Stories #Global Engagement

Frauen mit Kopftüchern sitzen an Tischen und haben Steinblöcke mit Inschriften vor sich liegen, die sie betrachten.
Story 26 February 2025

Archaeology as reconstruction: Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Mosul

He came to Mosul with the task of excavating ancient Nineveh. In the meantime, however, the mission of the ancient orientalist Stefan Maul goes far beyond this: he is rebuilding the study of antiquity in Iraq. And he is teaching the people what the Islamists robbed them of: pride in their cultural heritage.

Zwei Hände halten einen grünen Sack mit Reishülsen
Story 10 September 2024

Affordable water-purification from waste

Trained as a mechanical engineer, the Kampala-based researcher Peter W. Olupot has spent the last decade finding ways to produce affordable water purification systems using rice husks, a common byproduct of rice production.

Funding offers #Global Engagement

Many of our funding programmes have an international focus, the following is a current selection. You can find an overview of all our funding programmes under Our Funding Portfolio

  • Logo zukunft.niedersachsen
    30 September 2025 Deadline

    AI Research Groups Lower Saxony

    As a key technology, artificial intelligence is of central importance to Lower Saxony's research system. This call for proposals combines the objectives of promoting individual scientists with the further development of AI methods and their application to existing data sets. 

    Website zukunft.niedersachsen
    • area of research: computer science, artificial intelligence, application disciplines
    • type of funding: ​research groups​
  • Illustration with a man against a green background, spreading his arms in welcome
    Applications can be submitted at any time starting from 15 January 2026

    Transatlantic Bridge Professorships

    Funding programme for professors in the humanities and social sciences currently working in the USA who wish to work both in the USA and in Germany.

    Learn more
    • area of research: Humanities and Social Sciences
    • type of funding: Proportional financing of a professorship in Germany
  • 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
  • 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.

    Learn more
    • areas of research: social sciences, life & health sciences
    • funding for: international collaborative projects
  • Logo zukunft.niedersachsen
    Next deadline expected in summer 2026

    Lower Saxony – Scotland Research and Innovation Scheme: Stream II – Excellence Track

    ​The programme provides Lower Saxonian and Scottish higher education institutions and their researchers with an opportunity to conduct joint research to lay the foundation for successful third-party funding bids, in particular Horizon Europe.

    Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
    • area of research: all topics, particularly energy (transformation), life sciences, educational sciences, mobility and its transformation as well as security policy
    • type of funding: cooperative research projects

News #Global Engagement

Illustration mit einem niesenden Menschen, verschiedenen Transportmitteln (Flugzeug, Zug, LKW), Mücken und Bakterien
In Brief 12 August 2025

Mobility and health: how are they connected?

Ukrainische Flagge
In Brief 04 August 2025

A new beginning for the Ukrainian pharmaceutical industry

Ein Pokal aus Glas steht auf einem Tisch.
News 31 July 2025

Women's Impact Award 2025: Three winners nominated

Eine eingefärbte Weltkarte. Rote Bereiche zeigen Regionen mit eingeschränkter Wissenschaftsfreiheit an, dies sind vor allem Asien, Eurasien und Teile Afrikas. Blaue Bereiche Regionen mit großer Akademischer Freiheit, dies sind Europa, südliche Teile Afrikas und die beiden Amerikas. 
News 13 March 2025

Academic Freedom Index 2025: Academic freedom has declined in 34 countries

Frauen mit Kopftüchern sitzen an Tischen und haben Steinblöcke mit Inschriften vor sich liegen, die sie betrachten.
Story 26 February 2025

Archaeology as reconstruction: Ancient Near Eastern Studies in Mosul