Researching Research: Strengthening University Centres
Forecasted
Researching Research: Strengthening University Centres supports German university Science Studies centres with structural development to strengthen interdisciplinary work and international visibility.
Funder: Volkswagen Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Application deadline, projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to €1 million over five years, with eligible overheads additional
Summary: Supports strategic structural development of established Science Studies centres, institutes, and research priority areas at German universities.
Key Information: Applications must be developed jointly with university management and led by the centre’s head.
Description
The Volkswagen Foundation supports established university-based Science Studies structures in Germany through forward-looking strategic concepts and structural development measures. The programme aims to strengthen Science Studies as an interdisciplinary, multi-methodological, internationally oriented field and provide relevant knowledge for science policymakers. Applicants develop a shared vision with university management, defining their strategic importance within the university and their sustainable positioning nationally and internationally.
Funding focuses on international visibility and networking, interdisciplinary cooperation, methodological training, and the transfer of research findings. Supported measures can include international institutional partnerships, guest researcher programmes, methods workshops and summer schools, interdisciplinary training for prospective researchers, and exchanges with science policy or research management practitioners. The emphasis is on strengthening existing structures rather than conducting research projects. The offer belongs to the Foundation’s Understanding Research – Evaluation and Science Practice profile area.
