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Momentum – Funding for Recently Tenured Professors
Here, 'momentum' is meant as an impulse to keep something moving or developing dynamically after it has started. In this sense, the initiative addresses academics at an early stage following the appointment to their first tenured professorship. The goal is to open up opportunities in this phase of their career to advance the content and strategic development of their professorship.
area of research: all disciplines
type of funding: concepts for the broadening of perspectives
up to 850,000 Euro (first phase); up to 200,000 Euro (second phase)
4 years (first phase); 2 years (second phase)
university professors three to five years after taking up their first tenured professorship
no project funding; outline proposal
What is funded?
In the face of the increasingly fast pace of science, professors should be offered scope to develop new approaches in university research and teaching. The focus of the funding offer is to strengthen the diversity of research and the creativity of university researchers in Germany as well as the strategic development of their organizational unit.
The funding offer is aimed at professors three to five years after taking up their first tenured professorship at a university. It is open to all disciplines. The initiative comprises different support measures for concepts aimed at advancing the content and strategic development of the professorship. The offer is flexible and can be adapted to the requirements of the respective discipline or location. It is not possible to provide funding for research projects.
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
Grants can only be awarded to universities or scientific institutions in Germany. However, applicants from institutions that are not eligible for funding can be involved in a project as cooperation partners.
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: volkswagen stiftung
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: Kastanienallee 35 30519 Hannover phone: +49 (0)511 8381-0 fax: +49 (0)511 8381-344 info@volkswagenstiftung.de
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Grant
Letter Of Intent Deadline:
Apr 14, 2026
Final Deadline:
Apr 14, 2026
Funding Amount:
$233,210
Host Details
Affiliation: volkswagen stiftung
Address: Kastanienallee 35 30519 Hannover phone: +49 (0)511 8381-0 fax: +49 (0)511 8381-344 info@volkswagenstiftung.de
Website URL: https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/funding/funding-offer/momentum-funding-recently-tenured-professors
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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