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.

to the funding opportunities
View of a modern library with rows of light-coloured bookshelves

Leibniz-Institut für Bildungsmedien GEI

seminar room with students and professor

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

Ulf Salzmann für ISFH

A woman with a pipette in her hand works on a laboratory fume cupboard

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
Logo VolkswagenStiftung

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.

Eine Frau mit schwarzen Locken lächelt mit einer blauen Decke über den Beinen in die Kamera

story

Microbiologist witha passion for diversity

In her research, she explores the importance of diversity in microbial communities. As a mentor, Sarahi Garcia encourages early career researchers to embrace diversity in the academic world. A portrait by Dr. Ulrike Schneeweiß.
the story
Ein Mann in einem braunen Pullover sitzt vor einem Mikroskop und schaut an der Kamera vorbei

story

High-tech Searchfor Virus Resilience

Why do viruses make some people sick and others not? Max Kellner seeks answers where infections cause little harm: by examining natural hosts such as bats. A portrait of curiosity, crises, and risk-prone research. By Björn Lohmann.
the story
Portrait eines lachenden Mannes mit blauem Pullover

story

Developmental psychology:On the trail of everyday life

Manuel Bohn researches how children’s everyday lives become the key to grasping psychological and cognitive development. To do this, he uses innovative methods, artificial intelligence, and an international perspective. A portrait by Stefanie Reinberger.
the story
Eine Frau mit schwarzen Locken lächelt mit einer blauen Decke über den Beinen in die Kamera

story

Microbiologist witha passion for diversity

In her research, she explores the importance of diversity in microbial communities. As a mentor, Sarahi Garcia encourages early career researchers to embrace diversity in the academic world. A portrait by Dr. Ulrike Schneeweiß.
the story
Ein Mann in einem braunen Pullover sitzt vor einem Mikroskop und schaut an der Kamera vorbei

story

High-tech Searchfor Virus Resilience

Why do viruses make some people sick and others not? Max Kellner seeks answers where infections cause little harm: by examining natural hosts such as bats. A portrait of curiosity, crises, and risk-prone research. By Björn Lohmann.
the story
Portrait eines lachenden Mannes mit blauem Pullover

story

Developmental psychology:On the trail of everyday life

Manuel Bohn researches how children’s everyday lives become the key to grasping psychological and cognitive development. To do this, he uses innovative methods, artificial intelligence, and an international perspective. A portrait by Stefanie Reinberger.
the story

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.

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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

news
Research Cooperation Lower Saxony – Israel: New application procedure

There is a new application procedure for the “Research Cooperation Lower Saxony–Israel” funding programme. A preliminary proposal process is intended to reduce the burden on all parties involved. It will apply for the first time from the deadline in spring 2027.

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18
Aug
Eine Frau steht vor einer Gruppe Menschen und spricht
Funding Offer
Lower Saxony ERC Impulse Professorship

​​The Lower Saxony ERC Impulse Professorship is designed to support universities in Lower Saxony in making attractive tenure offers to the exceptionally qualified researchers who have received grants from the ERC Starting Grant programme.

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11
Aug
Eine Frau lächelt in die Kamera
story
Cultural transfer: The influence of different worlds

Art historian Elena Korowin sees herself as a diplomat without a political mandate and teaches cultural transfer – although she struggles with the term.

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23
Jul
Drei paar Hände nebeneinander, die an Laptops arbeiten
news
Five AI Research Groups for Lower Saxony

In the first round of funding, projects in the fields of health, climate, robotics, particle physics and sustainable artificial intelligence will receive funding. The aim of the ‘AI Research Groups Lower Saxony’ initiative is to attract and support scientifically outstanding researchers at an early stage in their careers, and to expand the development and application of AI in the long term.

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08
Jul
Foto eines Bildschirms, der die Projektdatenbank der Stiftung zeigt
news
The Grants Database Lists Our Funded Research Projects

Following a comprehensive overhaul, the grants database now features enhanced search functions and a clear, modern design.

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29
Jun
Eine Hand wirft einen Papierflieger los bei Dämmerung
Funding Offer
Boost Research! Seed Grants for Lower Saxony

This funding programme offers researchers the opportunity to receive seed funding for novel collaborative projects. The aim is to use the funding to enable the acquisition of additional third-party funding. This includes the strategic preparation of applications for large funding formats as well as significantly smaller projects.

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18
Feb
Verschiedene Menschen stehen für ein Gruppenbild zusammen
news
Infection research in Lower Saxony: The HUMAN programme opens creative avenues for better health

Whether during the annual flu season or the coronavirus pandemic, we repeatedly experience firsthand the impact that viruses and bacteria have on our everyday lives. In the HUMAN programme, junior research groups participating in the HUMAN programme at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig are investigating the complex interaction between humans and microbes.

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03
Feb
Ein Mann in einem braunen Pullover sitzt vor einem Mikroskop und schaut an der Kamera vorbei
story
High-tech Search for Virus Resilience

Why do viruses make some people sick and others not? Max Kellner seeks answers where infections cause little harm: by examining natural hosts such as bats. A portrait of curiosity, crises, and risk-prone research. By Björn Lohmann.

Read more
03
Feb
Vor blauem Himmel wehen die schottische und die deutsche Fahne
news
Lower Saxon-Scottish Projects get Started

International cooperation opens up valuable opportunities for scientists in Lower Saxony. That is why the Ministry of Science and the Volkswagen Foundation are funding ten Lower Saxony-Scottish research collaborations. From energy supply and medicine to space travel: a selection of the approved projects demonstrates their wide range of subjects.

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12
Jan