Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown

This Volkswagen Foundation's funding initiative aims to support unconventional ideas that venture into previously unexplored areas of basic research.

The idea is to take risks, ask unorthodox questions and use experimental approaches to solve major scientific challenges and generate new knowledge without a defined commercialization and application context. Clearly, failure is part of the process.

PI must be from a German institution. International collaborations are allowed. 

Funding: €1,300,000 total 

Duration: 3-5 years

Research Authority due date: 17.8.26

Short proposal (required) due date: 27.8.26

Full proposal due date: spring\ summer 2027