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.

Learn more

Exploration

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

Learn more

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.

Learn more

zukunft.niedersachsen

Funding program for top-level research in Lower Saxony.

Learn more

Funding portfolio

We support future-oriented topics with our funding offers.

Sort by:

No open call

Pioneer Projects – Impetus for the German Research System

The funding offer addresses active researchers who, in addition to their research activities, would like to explore a project idea for the further development (of a specific area) of the German research system, as well as academic administrators at universities and research institutions in Germany.

Learn more
area of research: all disciplines

type of funding: Innovative pioneer projects aiming at improving the (German) research system
Next deadline expected at the beginning of 2026

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.

Learn more
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.

Learn more
area of research: disciplines conducting research on research

type of funding: summer schools and workshops
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.

Learn more
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
next deadline is expected in spring 2026

Researching Research: Collaborative Research Projects

The funding scheme is aimed at scientists and scholars of all career stages from postdoc onwards who work on issues related to research on research. The Foundation promotes interdisciplinary, multi-method and internationally oriented research projects.

Learn more
area of research: disciplines conducting research on research

type of funding: research projects | current call: 'Political influences on epistemic practice'