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Funding Offer 29 April 2024

Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown

With the program "Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown", the Foundation supports groundbreaking and risky research ideas with high scientific relevance. 

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Interview 18 April 2024

Wanted: scientific frontrunners for "Pioneering Research - Exploring the Unknown Unknown"

The new call for proposals for "Pioneering Research - Exploring the Unknown Unknown" offers higher funding amounts and longer funding periods. Pavel Dutow and Theresa Greupner explain what has changed and who can apply. Application deadline for the program is Sept. 3, 2024.

Funding Offer 12 March 2024

Themed week on water between extremes (completed)

Apply now with your symposium: Our themed week on water between the extremes will take place from October 9 to 11, 2024 in Hannover. Deadline for application is March 12, 2024

Faces of Annabella Hüfler-Fick und Mona Weyrauch.
Interview 06 March 2024

Become an "Agent of Change!": The Program Directors explain how it works

The media is increasingly full of gloomy news – wars, climate warming, crisis of democracy. What can be done to counteract the negative effects? The funding initiative "Change! Fellowships and Research Groups" aims to bring about social change through the findings of transdisciplinary research. Annabella Hüfler-Fick and Mona Weyrauch provide information about what researchers need to consider when applying.

Grafik von Tieren, über denen eine Spritze zu sehen ist
News 05 March 2024

Experiments with Animals – Statement

Why the Volkswagen Foundation also funds projects involving experiments with animals.

Adelheid Wessler looks at tha camera.
Interview 22 February 2024

Transdisciplinary research: "We firmly believe this concept works"

The Volkswagen Foundation believes that transdisciplinary research is a promising way of tackling major future issues. In the following interview, team leader Adelheid Wessler explains how the Foundation wants to create new funding opportunities to help establish this methodological approach over the long term – alongside basic and discipline-defined research.

Portrait eines Mannes
Story 09 July 2025

Wie verändert die Arbeit mit KI die Forschung?

As a tool of science, artificial intelligence entails numerous risks, opportunities, and ambivalences. These need to be identified and classified. However, there is no revolution in sight, according to Jens Schröter.

Illustration: Reproduktion von Reichtum
Story 14 May 2025

Politics and wealth: a lopsided alliance?

A small, rich minority is becoming increasingly wealthy. Eva Wegner and Miquel Pellicer ask: How does politics contribute to growing economic inequality – and whose interests do MPs actually represent?