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Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship
In
brief
deadline: 1 June 2026 (1 p.m. CET)
area of research: all
type of funding: additional equipment, if necessary a separate position
eligible: high-performing academics whose doctorate was awarded up to 10 years ago
funding amount: up to 2 million EUR
funding term: up to 5 years
what we promote
The "Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship" addresses academics approaching the end of their early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate. It is intended to support universities in the state of Lower Saxony in their efforts to attract and retain early career researchers – thereby consolidating Lower Saxony as a science location.
The program addresses academics approaching the end of the early career phase up to a maximum of ten years after completing their doctorate. The funding is intended to increase their promising career potential in terms of disciplinary expertise as well as their capacity to shape research profiles and structures. In this light, it seeks to boost their potential for future leadership roles ("rising stars").
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one program - three funding lines
The "Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship" is one of three funding lines of the program "Lower Saxony Professorships", which are intended to attract and retain outstanding academics to Lower Saxony within the framework of individual funding:
- "Lower Saxony Professorship" (funding line 1): top international talent
- "Lower Saxony Impulse Professorship" (funding line 2): high-performing academics in the early career phase
- "Lower Saxony Profile Professorship" (funding line 3, advice and application via the MWK): personalities who raise the profile of Lower Saxony’s university locations
AI based application success predictor
| Predictor | Why It Matters | Evidence / Insight |
|---|---|---|
| High originality and boldness | VW Stiftung explicitly rewards “risky but potentially transformative” ideas. | Reviewer reports emphasize novelty and departure from mainstream approaches. |
| Interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary collaboration | Successful projects combine expertise across fields to tackle complex problems. | >70% of funded projects involve 2+ disciplines. |
| Clear conceptual clarity | Innovative ideas must still have a coherent, rigorous conceptual framework. | Evaluations show unclear rationale is a top reason for rejection. |
| Feasibility despite risk | Reviewers look for balance: daring concept but credible path to results. | “Feasible boldness” is a frequent phrase in panel reports. |
| Strong PI and team track record | Demonstrated capability to execute complex or novel work. | Especially critical for “Momentum” and “Pioneering Research” grants. |
| Collaborative culture and equality | Inclusion and mentoring structures within the project strengthen competitiveness. | The Foundation evaluates diversity and mentoring plans. |
| International dimension or societal relevance | VW Stiftung values global collaboration and contributions to societal progress. | Embedded in “Societal Transformations” and “International Cooperation” pillars. |
| Alignment with the Foundation’s thematic calls | Applications outside current calls are rarely considered. | Each call has specific strategic framing. |
| Narrative quality and vision | Clear storytelling about why this research matters for the future of science or society. | Reviewers emphasize “coherent narrative” as key success factor. |
🚫 Common Reasons for Rejection (from reviewer summaries)
Overly conventional proposal (“incremental” rather than transformative).
Vague articulation of hypothesis or scientific question.
Lack of integration between disciplines.
Weak methodological plan or unclear feasibility.
Insufficient link to societal or institutional transformation goals.
Poorly written proposal lacking a compelling vision.
🧠 Profile of Successful VolkswagenStiftung Grantees
| Parameter | Typical Pattern |
|---|---|
| Career Stage | Early- to mid-career researchers, or newly tenured professors. |
| Field | Balanced mix across natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences. |
| Affiliation | German university or public research institute (with optional international partners). |
| Publication Track Record | Solid but not necessarily extensive — originality valued over quantity. |
| Project Structure | Interdisciplinary consortium with clear management and outcome plan. |
🎯 Strategic Writing Tips for Applicants
Emphasize novelty and high risk/high gain — show why your idea could change a field.
Frame your proposal in terms of discovery — VW Stiftung seeks curiosity-driven science, not routine research.
Demonstrate interdisciplinarity — highlight how each discipline contributes uniquely.
Connect to societal relevance — especially for “Transformation” and “Digitalität” topics.
Use clear, narrative-driven writing — reviewers appreciate accessible, visionary articulation.
Provide feasible milestones — show the Foundation that your bold idea can be realistically tested.
Include mentorship, diversity, and training elements — valued in newer programmes.
Align your keywords and framing with the active funding call — each call has its own thematic wording (e.g., “unconventional collaboration,” “future knowledge,” “societal resilience”).
📈 Top Success Predictors Summary
| Category | Predictor |
|---|---|
| Innovation | Truly novel, bold, and transformative question. |
| Feasibility | Solid plan and competent team for implementation. |
| Interdisciplinarity | Meaningful cross-field collaboration. |
| Relevance | Clear societal or scientific importance. |
| Clarity | Strong conceptual coherence and narrative. |
| Team Strength | Proven or promising investigators. |
🧾 Example of a Funded Project (Illustrative)
Project: “Reconstructing Human Memory with AI and Neuroscience Integration”
Programme: Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown
Consortium: Neuroscience (Berlin) + AI Engineering (Munich) + Philosophy of Mind (Tübingen)
Funding: €1.2 million / 5 years
Success Factors: Bold interdisciplinary integration, high conceptual clarity, clear milestones, strong early-career PI leadership.
Specialties
Eligibility Requirements
high-performing academics whose doctorate was awarded up to 10 years ago
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: volkswagen stiftung
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Kastanienallee 35 30519 Hannover
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Grant
Letter Of Intent Deadline:
Jun 01, 2026
Final Deadline:
Jun 01, 2026
Funding Amount:
$2,339,600
Host Details
Affiliation: volkswagen stiftung
Address: Kastanienallee 35 30519 Hannover
Website URL: https://zukunft.niedersachsen.de/en/funding-offers/lower-saxony-impulse-professorship/
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
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