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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Societal Transformations

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

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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

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How do we bring society around the table with AI research?

About Anika Kaiser and her research for a better dialogue between citizens and science

Events

  • Public event
  • Herrenhäuser Forum
  • With live stream

16 May 2025, 07:00 p.m. - 09:00 p.m.

25 Jahre EXPO 2000 - Macher, Meinungen, Meilensteine

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  • Public event
  • Herrenhausen Extra
  • With live stream

01 Jun 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 04:00 p.m.

Kleines Update für das 21. Jahrhundert

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Ansicht des Holländischen Pavillons auf der EXPO 2000 in Hannover

Newsroom

Funding offer 05 May 2025

Apply now: Scoping Workshops

This is about the future of your research area: What is the current status? What prospects are there for further development - and how can they be realised? With the "Scoping Workshops" the foundation offers space for discussion and intensive exchange. Online Q&A (in German) on 5 August, deadline: 16 September 2025

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Eine Frau steht in einem Labor und schaut in die Kamera.
News 29 April 2025

Gender-specific personalised medicine: when viruses awaken the hormones

What lessons can be learned from COVID-19 for future pandemics? Researcher Gülşah Gabriel and her team are opening the door to personalised medicine – and are investigating for the first time how drugs that intervene in hormone metabolism could in future be used to prevent severe viral progression.

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