Extremely unequal income and wealth conditions are a recurring source of conflict and an ongoing hindrance to human development. Scientific research into the phenomenon of wealth is therefore a central element in understanding social transformation processes. With the funding initiative "Perspectives on Wealth", the Volkswagen Foundation aims to initiate a shift of perspective from poverty research to facets surrounding the phenomenon of wealth.
Forced migration and the treatment of refugees and other displaced people are currently at the center of many political, social, and academic debates. Yet forced migration is neither limited to present-day developments nor to certain regions. It is, indeed, a global phenomenon that has shaped humankind since time immemorial. Violence, conflict, persecution, discrimination, poverty, as well as changes in climate and environment can prompt people to leave their places of origin.
TOPIC:1.3.1-2026 (IA): Sustainable on-site transformation of perishable Mediterranean agri-products
TYPE OF ACTION: (IA) Innovation and Action
TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS CALL: EUR 10.814 million
OPENING DATE: 20.03.2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE STAGE 1: 15.05.2026 (13:00h Central European Time (CET))
STATUS: Open
TOPIC: 1.2.1-2026 (IA): Next Generation of Sustainable and Alternative Animal Feeds for Circular and Resilient Mediterranean Farming Systems
TYPE OF ACTION: (IA) Innovation Action
TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS CALL: EUR 10.814 million
OPENING DATE: 20.03.2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE STAGE 1: 15.05.2026 (13:00h Central European Time (CET))
STATUS: Open
TOPIC: 1.1.1-2026 (IA): Decentralised Brackish Water Desalination for Climate-Resilient and Resource-Efficient Mediterranean Agriculture
TYPE OF ACTION: (IA) Innovation action
TOTAL INDICATIVE AMOUNT ALLOCATED TO THIS CALL: EUR 10.815 million
OPENING DATE: 20.03.2026
SUBMISSION DEADLINE STAGE 1: 15.05.2026 (13:00h Central European Time (CET))
STATUS: Open
We need changes in our society and existing structures to overcome the multitude of crises we are facing today. Science is expected to uncover planetary boundaries and vulnerabilities, research fact-based options for action and help to find solutions. Thus, the Volkswagen Foundation is looking for personalities from science who are jointly with partners outside of academia researching transformation processes.
We need changes in our society and existing structures to overcome the multitude of crises we are facing today. Science is expected to uncover planetary boundaries and vulnerabilities, research fact-based options for action and help to find solutions. Thus, the Volkswagen Foundation is looking for personalities from science who are jointly with non-academic partners researching transformation processes.
The grant for interdisciplinary research environments aims to give opportunities for research teams to develop interdisciplinary research and interdisciplinary research environments, where breakthroughs and ground-breaking discoveries may be expected. The call is intended to provide long-term support to research where theories, methodology, factual knowledge and/or data from differing disciplines are combined in ways that open up new research fields and research approaches.