Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change – Transdisciplinary Perspectives
Volkswagen Foundation funds transdisciplinary research partnerships to generate actionable insights and solutions for democratic transformation through the Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change program.
Funder: Volkswagen Foundation
Due Dates: Next call published autumn 2026 | Next application deadline in 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to €450,000 per project for up to two years; prior rounds funded 9–11 projects per call.
Summary: Supports transdisciplinary research partnerships between academics and non-academic partners to address and develop actionable solutions for challenges facing democracies.
Key Information: Lead applicant must be affiliated with a German university/research institution; international partners welcome.
Description
This funding initiative from the Volkswagen Foundation aims to foster innovative, transdisciplinary research collaborations addressing the transformation of democratic societies. The program encourages joint projects between academic researchers (primarily from the humanities, cultural, and social sciences, but also including natural, life, data, and technical sciences) and non-academic partners from various sectors. The goal is to generate actionable insights and practical recommendations for the future of democratic governance, with a strong emphasis on societal change and implementation.
Projects should address unresolved challenges related to democratic transformation, develop and test future scenarios for democratic government, and translate research findings into concrete recommendations for target groups.
