As a private research funding organization, we support researchers with creative ideas aimed at changing the world of science – something we have been doing for more than 60 years now. Our mission: We endow knowledge.

Visit our funding portfolio Who we are

We provide support in four profile areas

Pile of books

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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humanoider Kopf einer Maschine

Societal Transformations

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

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Hand with compass

Exploration

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

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Schachfigur "Pferd"

zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

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Portrait einer Frau

ehrenwerk.tv für VolkswagenStiftung

How can the cultural perspective help to deal with the challenges of sinking cities?

Read the story about Hilke Berger project "Sinking Cities"

Events

  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Forum
  • With live stream

Mar. 11, 2025, 07:00 PM - 09:00 PM

Frieden in Krisenzeiten: Herausforderungen auf dem Weg zu Stabilität

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Skulptur "Knotted gun" von Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd vor dem UN-Hauptgebäude in New York
  • Expert meeting
  • Hochschulpolitisches Werkstattgespräch

Mar. 21, 2025, 02:00 PM - Mar. 22, 2025, 03:00 PM

Hochschulen als Bollwerk der Demokratie

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Wegweiser Universität vor blauem Himmel

Newsroom

Funding offer 21. February 2025

Research cooperation between Lower Saxony and Scotland

​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. Deadline: June, 30 2025

Website zukunft.niedersachsen.de
Funding offer 19. February 2025

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

The funding initiative aims at exploring new research spaces in the humanities and cultural sciences. Online Q&As on Feb. 21 (German) and Feb. 28 (English), 2025, 10 AM (no registration necessary).  Application deadline: April 3, 2025

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