Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown

All disciplines

Volkswagen Foundation funding for risky, groundbreaking research ideas in all disciplines. Applications run via a German institution (grants only to German institutions); researchers from Austria can join as international cooperation partners.

Next deadline: 27.08.2026 expired

Deadline: Short proposals: 27 August 2026

Funding amount: bis 1.300.000 € (3–5 Jahre)

Target group: Postdocs and professors; lead at a German institution, Austrian partners possible

Career stage: R2 R3 R4

Apply from: DE

Added: 09.07.2026

Website: volkswagenstiftung.de

StiftungRisikoforschungKooperation

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Details last compared with the funder's page: 2026-07-22