promoting.research
zukunft.niedersachsen
The joint funding program of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture and the Volkswagen Foundation aims at promoting research, education, and transfer in the federal state of Lower Saxony.
![View of a modern library with rows of light-coloured bookshelves](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GEI-Bibliothek_innen_web.jpg)
Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsmedien GEI
![seminar room with students and professor](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-871711404_TomWerner_web.jpg)
TomWerner via GettyImages
![A woman in a white coat with a hygiene cap on her head stands at a screen in a modern hall with technical equipment](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ISFH-03-2022-7129_web.jpg)
Ulf Salzmann für ISFH
![A woman with a pipette in her hand works on a laboratory fume cupboard](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Twincore_Reportage_schmitt_022_web.jpg)
Schmitt für Twincore
initiate.action
The largest funding program in Lower Saxony’s history opens up unique opportunities for science.
![Logo Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/mwk_logo.png)
promoting
ourfocus
Our profile areas are designed to support Lower Saxony’s universities and research institutions, helping them to develop further and find answers to the challenging issues of our time.
new knowledge
We promote the development of new initiatives, strengthen cross collaboration, and support the strategic development of higher education.
bright minds
We support universities in the acquisition of talented researchers.
additional infrastructure
We expand the structural basis of research and teaching, both analog and digital.
![Agrarroboter auf einem Feld](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240220_dfki_muench_49.jpg)
story
Agricultural robotics:high-tech on farmland
![zwei Personen mit Laborkittel und Haarnetz in einer steril wirkenden technischen Anlage](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VWS-Portraits-Bianca-Lim_Dorian-Vasco-Nagel-ehrenwerk-tv_C003_12150032_C006_00_32_13_43_beabr-1.jpg)
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German solar technology:working for the renaissance
![Agrarroboter auf einem Feld](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/20240220_dfki_muench_49.jpg)
story
Agricultural robotics:high-tech on farmland
![zwei Personen mit Laborkittel und Haarnetz in einer steril wirkenden technischen Anlage](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/VWS-Portraits-Bianca-Lim_Dorian-Vasco-Nagel-ehrenwerk-tv_C003_12150032_C006_00_32_13_43_beabr-1.jpg)
story
German solar technology:working for the renaissance
ouragenda
We are undergoing a profound transformation of our economy and way of life. Our aim is to emerge stronger in ecological, social, and economic contexts. We have identified three areas of particularly important future challenges in which our funding programs should have a strong impact.
transformation
Shaping sustainable social and ecological transformation in the economy and the science system.
digitality
Thinking ahead about the interaction between people and machines, using data as a key resource.
cutting-edge research
Promoting outstanding researchers and establishing promising fields of research.
research
news of tomorrowprojects and areas of research in focus
![eine kleine begrünte Fläche, umgeben von](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Climat_Future_Labs_AdobeStock_268159377_magann_web.jpg)
New call: Climate Future Lab "Microclimate in urban areas"
This call for proposals supports the establishment and implementation of a research consortium to address the microclimate in urban areas as part of the Climate Future Labs of the Lower Saxony Centre for Climate Research (ZKfN). Deadline for application: October 30, 2024
01
Jul
![](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/zn_AdobeStock_8229198_webt.png)
Research Cooperation Lower Saxony – Israel
Funding is provided for scientifically outstanding projects conducted jointly by researchers from Israel and Lower Saxony.
04
Feb
![Lecturer with a red jumper in front of students in a bright seminar room](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-1270398034_TomWerner_web.jpg)
Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship
The program addresses academics approaching the end of the early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate.
14
Dec
![unfolding fern fronds](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/jaakko-kemppainen-k_AXt3VPSrw-unsplash_bearb_web.jpg)
Strategic Development of Potential
Universities in Lower Saxony can apply for funding to sharpen their strategic profile.
07
Nov
![Mädchen mit israelischer Fahne und Junge mit Niedersachsenfahne](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/221130_VWS_Illu-18_Niedersachsen-Israel.png)
Support for the Foundation’s grantees in Israel
The Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023 is challenging Israel in many different respects, and the country's academic sector is also suffering the consequences. Within the funding initiative zukunft.niedersachsen, we want to help our grantees on the ground.
13
Oct
![Symbol image for fluorescence electrophoresis](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/AdobeStock_506587713_Science-RF_web.jpg)
Innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to combat rare diseases
Eligible are professors and postdocs at universities and non-university research institutions in Lower Saxony.
06
Oct
![View of a modern library with rows of light-coloured bookshelves](https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GEI-Bibliothek_innen_web.jpg)
Digitality of academic libraries
Funding offer for academic libraries and library networks in the state of Lower Saxony.