VolkswagenStiftung (CRAY Stiftung) is a major German science funder focused on strengthening research, higher education, and the conditions under which excellent scholarship happens. It tends to back ambitious, sometimes experimental initiatives: high-risk basic research, university structural development, research careers, and transdisciplinary work that connects academia with societal actors. Many of its programs are Germany-focused and often implemented with ministries or other partners, with an especially strong footprint in Lower Saxony.
Offers competitive, program-based grants and fellowships, often with specific deadlines and review processes; several programs are invite-only or explicitly do not accept unsolicited proposals. Grant sizes vary by program, from seed grants and fellowships to strategic university awards up to €500,000, and some initiatives are co-funded with government partners.
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Apply only through the specific program route and watch the published deadlines; several opportunities require prior alignment with the foundation and do not accept unsolicited proposals. Competitive applicants should emphasize originality, institutional impact, and how the project advances research quality, experimentation, or transformation, and should attend the listed online Q&As before submitting.
Current and upcoming funding from CRAY Stiftung that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Academics at the end of their early career phase, up to ten years after completing the doctorate.
Deadline: 01 June 2026 deadline.
Who can apply: Researchers seeking seed funding for novel collaborative projects in Lower Saxony.
Deadline: 02 June 2026 deadline.
Who can apply: Bestehende Zentren, Institute oder Forschungsschwerpunkte für Wissenschaftsforschung an Universitäten in Deutschland; nachweislich institutionalisiert; strukturelle Weiterentwicklung angestrebt.
Deadline: 23. Juni 2026 Stichtag
Who can apply: Existing centres, institutes or research priority areas for Science Studies at universities in Germany that have institutionalised in recent years and are seeking structural development.
Deadline: Online Q&As: 11 June and 16 July 2026; deadline 23 June 2026.
Who can apply: Herausragende Wissenschaftler:innen aller Disziplinen an Universitäten und Forschungseinrichtungen in Deutschland.
Deadline: 27. August 2026 Stichtag für Skizzen
Who can apply: Outstanding post-doctoral researchers and professors at universities and research institutes in Germany; international cooperation partners possible.
Deadline: Online Q&As: 11 June and 16 July 2026; short proposal deadline 27 August 2026.
Who can apply: Universitäten im Verbund mit den zuständigen Ministerien.
Deadline: 10. September 2026 Stichtag
Who can apply: Outstanding professors from the humanities and social sciences.
Deadline: 18 November 2026 deadline.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.