# Momentum – Funding for Recently Tenured Professors

**Funder:** Volkswagen Foundation
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/funding/funding-offer/momentum-funding-recently-tenured-professors
**Last updated:** 20 Sept 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Aimed at professors three to five years after taking up their first tenured professorship at a university in Germany, open to all disciplines, funding concepts for broadening research perspectives.

## Summary

Volkswagen Foundation's Momentum programme funds recently tenured professors three to five years into their first permanent position at German universities to develop innovative, perspective-broadening research concepts. Open across all disciplines, the call supports academic leaders establishing their independent research agendas during a critical career window.

## Who should apply

- Professors 3-5 years after taking up a first tenured position
- Researchers based at universities in Germany
- All disciplinary areas eligible
- Applicants with innovative concepts extending beyond their PhD or postdoctoral work

## Key dates

- Single-stage application process
- Project duration not specified in metadata

## Tips for applicants

- Volkswagen Foundation prioritises perspective-broadening, frame your concept as a genuine intellectual shift, not an incremental extension of prior work.
- Recent tenure is the window: applicants beyond five years post-appointment are ineligible, so verify your tenure date carefully.
- The call spans all disciplines; position your work to appeal across faculty boundaries if it has interdisciplinary potential.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for the Momentum programme?

Professors at German universities who are 3-5 years into their first tenured professorship. All academic disciplines are eligible.

### What does the Momentum programme fund?

Concepts for broadening intellectual perspectives, aimed at helping recently tenured professors develop innovative research directions during their early tenure years.

### Can researchers outside Germany apply to Momentum?

No, the programme is restricted to professors based at universities in Germany.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/volkswagen-foundation-momentum-funding-for-recently-tenured-professors-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=volkswagen-foundation-momentum-funding-for-recently-tenured-professors-2026).