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Scoping Workshops
Through "Scoping workshops", the foundation intends to encourage a reflection and further development of disciplinary and interdisciplinary research areas and communities. Through this funding, researchers are given the opportunity to jointly assess the current status of their field of research and, on this basis, to work out perspectives for its further development.
area of research: all disciplines
type of funding: workshops at the conference center Xplanatorium Herrenhausen Palace, Hannover
researchers at German universities and research institutions, possibly international co-applicants
additional benefits: childcare expenses, support for event preparation
Scope of Funding
Funded scoping workshops take place at the Xplanatorium Herrenhausen Palace conference centre in Hanover. Various rooms and professional technical infrastructure are available for hosting the events. Once approved, the Foundation’s Events Team will assist with preparing the workshops and provide on-site support. In addition, the Volkswagen Foundation will directly cover the costs of providing the conference rooms, equipment and catering at the Xplanatorium conference centre.
Personnel costs
• Funds for student assistants during preparation, running and follow-up of the event in an amount not exceeding 7,000 EUR. For on-site support of the event, the Foundation will cover overnight and travel expenses for a maximum of one student assistant. Please list the corresponding costs in the category "travel costs".
Travel costs
• Expenses for accommodation for all participants. Please request a lump sum of 140 EUR per person, per night. Depending on the start time of your programme, you might consider having participants arrive earlier. It is possible to apply for a total of up to 4 nights for participants from overseas. • Travel expenses for all participants. Please also refer to the Volkswagen Foundation's Recommendations for sustainable traveling (see section 6). Please estimate the follow ing sums per participant in the cost plan for travel to and from the event in total (please note that only costs actually incurred can be settled with the Foundation after the event):
• Participants from Germany:
• Participants from the rest of Europe:
• Participants form the east coast of the USA:
• Participants from the rest of the world:
e.g. 250 EUR 500 EUR 1,000 EUR 1,500 EUR
Non-personnel costs,
• Expense allowances for professional moderators or facilitators who contribute to the conception and implementation of the workshop.
• Consumables in an amount not exceeding 500 EUR.
• Funds for childcare costs, e.g. travel and accommodation costs for an accompanying person or the coverage of care expenses by service providers or agencies. If you apply for funds for childcare, please provide a brief explanation of the planned arrangements and a breakdown of the associated costs.
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
The foundation cannot be held responsible for any obligations entered into prior to the receipt of grant approval.
Applications that have been or are intended to be submitted in this or a similar form to another funding organization will not be processed by the foundation. Applications that do not meet the formal requirements will not be considered for review. The foundation can only award funds to scientific institutions.
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:
Mar 17, 2026
Final Deadline:
Mar 17, 2026
Funding Amount:
$8,179
Host Details
Affiliation: volkswagen stiftung
Address: Kastanienallee 35 30519 Hannover
Website URL: https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/funding/funding-offer/scoping-workshops
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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