Deadline: 09-Sep-2025
This Funding Programme addresses transformation processes of democracies in times of multiple crises and their societal impact.
The Volkswagen Foundation’s funding programme, “Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change,” addresses the transformation processes of democracies in times of multiple challenges and their social impact, with researchers and partners outside of academia collaborating to identify scientific questions, work on them, and develop recommendations for action for relevant groups of actors.
The funding programme focuses on cooperation projects, with a target group of inter- and intradisciplinary research groups that include scientists and actors outside of academia, with international participation possible.
The Volkswagen Foundation’s “Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change” program consists of two funding lines. The first, for task forces, allows up to two researchers from different disciplines to work with civil society partners for one year on acute challenges to democracy in Germany or the EU, with a focus on publishing concrete recommendations. The next deadline for these is expected in the second half of 2026. The second funding line, for collaborative projects, is aimed at international researchers with a doctorate in the humanities, cultural, and social sciences, and their partners outside of academia. Cooperation with international researchers from the natural, life, technical, or data sciences is also possible.
Possible topics include, but are not limited, to projects on democratic decision-making processes, the influence or interaction of culture, religion, media and global economic, social or ecological developments on democratic processes as well as the effects of digitalisation and AI on democracies under change.
The program offers up to 1.3 million EUR in funding for projects that can last between four and five years. The foundation cannot be held responsible for any obligations entered into prior to receiving grant approval. Applications that have been or are intended to be submitted in a similar form to another funding organization will not be processed. In justified cases, they can apply for a project of up to 3 years building on findings of the taskforce with a maximum of 800,000 euros.
Eligible costs include funds for research staff, travel expenses, equipment over 10,000 EUR, and other costs such as software, licenses, and event organization. Publication costs for open access are also covered, along with overheads and a lump sum for administrative costs for non-academic partners. Funds for equal opportunity and sustainability are also available, and funds for staff and travel can also be used for fellowships or research stays.
Projects that deal with participatory processes that have no discernible impact on democratic structures, investigate organisational psychological and cultural processes or have no explicit focus on democratic transformation processes (e.g. sustainability, health or climate issues without a direct link to democracy) are not eligible for funding.
Researchers and partners outside of academia join forces and work together to identify research questions, address them and develop recommendations for action based on research the results for relevant stakeholder groups in politics, industry and society.
The review process for collaborative projects is based on several key criteria. First, the originality and scientific quality of the transdisciplinary research will be evaluated. The proposal’s potential to generate new knowledge on the transformation of democracies and provide concrete recommendations for action for specific target groups will also be assessed. The coherence of the project’s design, its methodology, and the scientific independence of the approach are also important. Reviewers will consider the relevant expertise and qualifications of both the scientific partners and those outside of academia, as well as the overall composition of the team. The project’s ability to offer career prospects for all employees, both within and outside of academia, is another factor. Finally, the review process will look for evidence of cooperation at an equal level, as is expected in transdisciplinary research, and a convincing process of self-reflection, integration, and learning.
Applicants can submit a data management plan, and the foundation offers a “Data Reuse” module for funded projects to prepare research data. This can be applied for during the project or up to six months after its completion. The foundation can only award funds to scientific institutions. Please submit the curricula vitae of all applicants in tabular, narrative form and use the template available for download in the funding portal. Partners outside of academia should also submit information on their institutional affiliation and their CV using the template provided. The application deadline is September 9, 2025, at 2:00 pm CEST.
For more information, visit Volkswagen Stiftung.
