Grant opportunity
Strategic Experimental Spaces: University Development Requires Flexibility
Funding for universities and ministries to test new flexible forms of cross-border or cross-institutional cooperation in the German science system.
- Funder
- Volkswagen Foundation
- Deadline
- Sep 10, 2026
- Award
- Strategic project funding; see Volkswagen Foundation guidance
- Applicant
- Institutional Team
- Discipline
- Higher Education
- Region
- Germany
- Posted
- May 13, 2026
Call summary
Overview
Volkswagen Foundation invites universities, together with relevant ministries, to design experimental spaces that test new approaches to university development and cooperation.
Who can apply
- Aimed at universities in Germany working with relevant ministries.
- Projects should address legal, bureaucratic, or structural barriers to strategic university development.
What it supports
- Strategic experimental spaces.
- Cross-border or cross-institutional cooperation.
- New governance or flexibility models for universities.
Funding and duration
Funding conditions and budget guidance are provided on the official programme page.
Application deadline
Sep 10, 2026
How to apply
Apply through the Volkswagen Foundation process by 10 September 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Call details
About the opportunity
Volkswagen Foundation invites universities, together with relevant ministries, to design experimental spaces that test new approaches to university development and cooperation.
Volkswagen Foundation lists this opportunity for Institutional Team, Higher Education, Germany.
This listing is written for researchers, students, universities, NGOs, research teams, policy professionals and academic institutions searching for Higher Education grants, fellowships, scholarships, conferences, workshops and funding opportunities in Germany contexts.
Eligibility
Aimed at universities in Germany working with relevant ministries.
Projects should address legal, bureaucratic, or structural barriers to strategic university development.
Funding and benefits
Funding conditions and budget guidance are provided on the official programme page.
Themes and supported activities
Strategic experimental spaces.
Cross-border or cross-institutional cooperation.
New governance or flexibility models for universities.
Deadline and timeline
Application deadline: Sep 10, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Apply through the Volkswagen Foundation process by 10 September 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.