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
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. Applicants should use the official call page to confirm final requirements before submitting.
Aimed at universities in Germany working with relevant ministries.
Projects should address legal, bureaucratic, or structural barriers to strategic university development.
Strategic experimental spaces.
Cross-border or cross-institutional cooperation.
New governance or flexibility models for universities.
Funding conditions and budget guidance are provided on the official programme page.
Application deadline: Sep 10, 2026.
Confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, and submission route on the official call page.
Plan internal approvals, partner confirmations, budgets, letters, and portal submission before the final deadline.
Apply through the Volkswagen Foundation process by 10 September 2026 at 2:00 p.m.
Before submitting, check required documents, eligible costs, attachments, page limits, institutional approvals, and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration, or nomination stage.