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zwei Frauen vor einer rosafarbenen Wand
Interview Jul. 16, 2024

An art in itself - opportunities and risks of transdisciplinary research

Is it such a good idea for researchers to collaborate with stakeholders from outside the academic community? A discussion on the risks and opportunities of transdisciplinary research that took place between Berlin-based mobility researcher Sophia Becker and Henrike Hartmann, Deputy Secretary General of the Volkswagen Foundation, moderated by science journalist Christine Prußky.

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Glasbehälter mit bunten Losen, aus denen eine Hand auswählt
In brief Jul. 31, 2024

Volkswagen Foundation awards funding for peer reviewers

To increase the attractiveness of reviewers' work, the Foundation has raffled off grants totalling €250,000 for its reviewers. The aim is to better recognise the indispensable work of scientists whose reviews are the basis for high-quality funding decisions.

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Illustration einer Frau mit schmelzendem Eis. Im Hintergrund eine dampfende Stadt.
Story Jul. 30, 2024

Heat recycling in cities: Can the heat emitted in big cities be used for the energy transition?

Environmental scientist Susanne Benz wants to harvest the heat being emitted from large cities in huge quantities every day. This heat recycling could help to reduce energy consumption – an unusual idea that she will be researching in more detail in the coming years with the support of the Freigeist programme.

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Illustration zum Thema Wissenschaft
News Jul. 23, 2024

Animal testing: The topic deserves more visibility

Animal rights activists are calling for the abolition of all animal experiments, which makes researchers fear for medical progress. What is the discourse on this topic like in Germany and what does it take for society keep an open mind on the topic and reach the right value judgements? 

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Zwei Frauen sprechen vor einer Gruppe von Zuhörerinnen
News Aug. 21, 2024

Women's Impact Award: the three shortlisted winners have been announced

Together with ‘Falling Walls Female Science Talents’ and other partner organisations, the Volkswagen Foundation supports the Women's Impact Award. The first three shortlisted winners have now been announced - congratulations!

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Funding offer Aug. 15, 2024

Pioneer Projects – Impetus for the German Research System

The Volkswagen Foundation wants to offer experimental spaces for fundamental innovations and significant improvements in all areas of the (German) research system. To this end, the Foundation will fund promising ideas for pioneer projects from the academic community. Deadline for draft proposals: October 15, 2024

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Eine comichafte Zeichnung von jungen Menschen, die Arm in Arm laufen und in deren Mitte ein Smartphone mit ihnen ebenfalls Arm in Arm läuft. Um sie herum sind viele Social Media Icons abgebildet. Alle haben gute Laune.
Story Aug. 14, 2024

Virtual companions through digital worlds

A digital companion that supports rather than lectures children and young people and is also entertaining: this is what the interdisciplinary and international consortium "COURAGE" is working on.

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Illustration mit drei Figuren, die Kommentare zu einer zentralen Darstellung mit Diagrammen machen
Opinion Aug. 07, 2024

Paradoxical participation: three challenges of successful transdisciplinarity

Sociologist Andreas Bischof has summarised his view on the challenges of successful transdisciplinarity for our thematic focus ‘Transdisciplinary research’.

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Glasbehälter mit bunten Losen, aus denen eine Hand auswählt
In brief Jul. 31, 2024

Volkswagen Foundation awards funding for peer reviewers

To increase the attractiveness of reviewers' work, the Foundation has raffled off grants totalling €250,000 for its reviewers. The aim is to better recognise the indispensable work of scientists whose reviews are the basis for high-quality funding decisions.

Learn more
Illustration einer Frau mit schmelzendem Eis. Im Hintergrund eine dampfende Stadt.
Stories Jul. 30, 2024

Heat recycling in cities: Can the heat emitted in big cities be used for the energy transition?

Environmental scientist Susanne Benz wants to harvest the heat being emitted from large cities in huge quantities every day. This heat recycling could help to reduce energy consumption – an unusual idea that she will be researching in more detail in the coming years with the support of the Freigeist programme.

Learn more