Nächster Stichtag / Deadline: 2 March 2026 (1 p.m. MEZ)
The Ministry of Science and Culture of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation allocate grants for joint research projects between researchers at universities in Israel (For a list of eligible institutions please see the FAQs on this website) and universities or research institutions in Lower Saxony.
1. Objectives
The objective of this program is to promote outstanding scientific high-risk – high-gain cooperation projects. The cooperation has to be justified coherently and explained in its design.
The overall objective of the funding is the sustainability of the research project. Therefore, a goal is a joint application in another third party funding line, e.g. German-Israeli Project Cooperation, International Research Training Groups (both funded bei the DFG), or the Horizon Europe Program (see FAQs). Once funded, applicants cannot submit their projects for follow-up funding.
The funding program addresses different disciplines (Humanities and Social Sciences; Life Sciences and Medicine; Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering Sciences) in different years. The current call for application invites proposals from the Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Engineering Sciences.
It is possible to apply for interdisciplinary projects, involving expertise from e. g. the humanities, engineering or natural sciences. The thematic and/or methodological focus of such projects has to lie in the disciplines addressed in the given year, though. This focus has to be substantiated by the applying consortium.
2. Scope of Funding
Funding is provided for scientifically outstanding projects which follow a truly original idea and for which the additional benefit of a cooperative approach can be clearly accounted for from a scientific point of view. This requires an objective that enables the project participants from both countries to favorably combine their competencies and research experiences. The joint scientific work including e.g. research visits and/or the organization of joint events is therefore of particular importance. The set-up of new cooperations within the framework of this funding program will be given priority.
Applicants must hold a PhD (or equivalent).
To increase interdisciplinary networking at least one participation at the biennial Israel-conference in Hannover is expected during the duration of the project.
All direct costs for personnel, consumables, equipment and travel necessary to conduct the project may be applied for. The maximum grant is up to 500.000 EUR for a maximum funding period of four years.
Applications for funding of the own position are excluded. If funding for PhD students is applied for, positions have to be calculated according to at least 65% TV-L 13 (for positions at an institution in Lower Saxony; Please calculate according to the Ministry’s personnel rates for academic staff (see website, download column on the right). The Foundation’s personnel rates (as specified in the electronic application system) are not applicable here); deviations have to be justified. In order to facilitate the collaboration further, it is possible to apply for joint post-doctoral positions (100% TV-L 13). In Israel, an equivalent salary applies according to local standards.
| Cost category | Eligible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Personnel costs | PhD students at least 65% TV-L 13; joint post-doctoral positions (100% TV-L 13). According to average rates of the Lower Saxony Ministry of Finance & local rates in Israel. Inflation adjustment from the 2nd year onwards in the amount of 2% | |
| Scientific equipment / Consumables | Excluding ongoing expenses for scientific equipment | |
| Travel expenses / conferences | According to BRKG and NRKVO | |
| Publication costs (open access) | Up to EUR 10,000 | |
| Lump sum for administrative and infrastructure expenditure | 10% lump sum for administrative and infrastructure expenditure (VIAP) Only for Lower Saxony institutions that have a corresponding guideline with the MWK | |
| Own position of PI / Co-PI, construction costs, basic equipment, catering | Not eligible |
Further information can be found under Information for applicants and grantees.
3. Application and Selection Procedure
The applications will be reviewed comparatively by a review panel. In the event of equivalent evaluation, priority will be given to projects by PIs and Co-PIs in the early career phase. Applications that do not meet the formal criteria will not be reviewed.
A funding decision can be expected about 8-9 months after the deadline. Please note that due to the comparative review no detailed feedback on the proposals will be provided in written form.
Applications once rejected (by the Volkswagen Foundation or other funders) cannot be re-submitted, neither in revised form. Applications submitted to other funders cannot be submitted to the Volkswagen Foundation concurrently.
| Step | Date | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | 4 December 2025 | |
| Submission deadline | 2 March 2026, 1 p.m. MEZ | Submission via the Volkswagen Foundation's funding platform |
| Formal review | March 2025 | Check for completeness |
| Scientific evaluation | End of 2026 | |
| Expected funding decision | End of 2026 / beginning of 2027 | Written notification |
| Project start date | 1 April 2027 | Flexible within one year |
4. Application
In this call, multiple applications by one applicant are ineligible. Applicants must complete the relevant forms posted on the Application Portal, provide details on the applicants, the recipient of funds (academic institution in Lower Saxony), title, time frame, costs (one budget for the Lower Saxon applicant and one for the Israeli co-applicant), as well as a legally binding declaration.
4.1 Funding Platform Instructions
Applications must be submitted exclusively via the Volkswagen Foundation’s funding platform. Please search the overview for the relevant funding offer.
It is important that all applicants (principal investigator (PI) and co-principal investigator (Co-PI)) register on the funding portal at an early stage with their own financial plan. Co-PIs can only collaborate on an application if they have been invited to do so by the PI and have registered on the portal themselves.
If you have any technical questions about using the portal, please contact support@volkswagenstiftung.de.
4.2 Submitting your application – step by step
- Carefully review the information sheet “Information for Applicants” and clarify the eligibility requirements.
- Register on the funding portal and select this call in the overview of calls.
- Download all templates from the call for proposals website or the funding portal.
- Write a project description.
Please note the information contained in the “application template”. - Draw up a detailed financial plan.
Please use only the Excel template provided on the funding portal, follow the instructions for completing the template in the relevant spreadsheet and, in the case of collaborative projects, submit an additional financial plan for each Co-PI. - Create appendices:
• Short CVs (The CV should include the 10 most important publications (max. 2 page/applicant); links to ORCID, research gate, google scholar or similar profiles – if existing – are welcome)
• Statement of the recipient of funds of the academic institution in Lower Saxony (please use the – German – form available as download on the website of the Volkswagen Foundation, sign it (applicant in Lower Saxony).
• Data management plan (if applicable) - Submit online via the funding platform before the deadline.
5. Further Information
5.1 Open Science
It is expected that all project participants will observe the DFG’s rules of good research practice at their institutions, and the DFG’s guidelines on handling of research data. It is also expected that the project results will be published, in particular in joint peer-reviewed publications that are accessible internationally wherever possible. Publication in open access journals is particularly welcome.
If data collection is planned, the essential information must be presented in a data management plan (basic data management plan of the Volkswagen Foundation or a more detailed data management plan for the respective discipline). If no data will be generated in the project, this must be explicitly stated in the application text. The costs for the preparation of research data must be included in the application budget.
5.2 Equal Opportunity Funds
The project team’s composition should align with the DFG’s standards on gender equality and diversity. The role of gender and diversity dimensions in the research process (methods, work programme, objectives) and in the transfer/translation process must be explained. The relevant information will be taken into account during the review process.
If scientists in the qualification phase are employed within the framework of the project, the opportunity for further scientific qualification must be taken into account conceptually in the application.
5.3 Animal Studies
If animal studies are planned, please explain their role within the overall methodology, which standards have been followed in the planning of the experiment (e.g. PREPARE/ARRIVE guidelines), which refinement measures are planned and whether pre-registration of the experi-ment is intended. Please describe the extent to which the 3R principle (replace – reduce – re-fine) is applied in a particularly innovative way and state the budget reserved for this purpose.
zukunft.niedersachsen also encourages applicants to use non-animal laboratory materials (e.g. recom-binant antibodies, non-animal sera and gels) in their experiments. The costs of these materials can be included in the expenditure plan under the category “Material Costs”.
6. Contact
Dr. Harald Barre
E-Mail: barre@volkswagenstiftung.de
Phone: +49 511 83 81 – 247
For questions regarding the financial plan:
Hendrik Wessels
E-Mail: hendrik.wessels@mwk.niedersachsen.de
Tel: +49 511 120 –2433
For questions regarding the electronic application system:
Simone Künnecke
E-Mail: kuennecke@volkswagenstiftung.de
Phone: +49 511 83 81 – 255
VolkswagenStiftung
Kastanienallee 35
30519 Hannover
http://www.volkswagenstiftung.de
As of December 2025
