Circularity With Recycled and Biogenic Resources – Collaborative Projects
Forecasted
Volkswagen Foundation funds interdisciplinary research into circularity using recycled and biogenic resources to reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainable material use.
Funder: Volkswagen Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Full application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to €1.3 million per project (plus eligible overheads); project duration up to 4 years
Summary: Supports interdisciplinary collaborative research advancing circularity through recycled and biogenic resources to reduce environmental impacts and promote sustainable raw material use.
Key Information: Lead applicant must be based at a German institution; international partners allowed; proposals must be interdisciplinary and involve practitioners.
Description
This initiative from the Volkswagen Foundation aims to support innovative, interdisciplinary research projects that advance circularity by leveraging recycled and biogenic resources. The program seeks to reduce reliance on primary raw materials and mitigate environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity loss, and water consumption. Projects should focus on closing raw material-product cycles, extending product lifespans, and developing new processes for recycling and repurposing. A strong emphasis is placed on practical relevance, collaboration across disciplines (primarily natural and engineering sciences, with social sciences as needed), and engagement with practitioners outside academia. The initiative also encourages science communication to maximize societal impact.
