# Night Science – Space for the Creative Mind

**Funder:** Volkswagen Foundation
**Consortium:** Required — tandem of two scientists
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/funding/funding-offer/night-science-space-creative-mind
**Last updated:** 25 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Aimed at interdisciplinary tandems of two scientists in Natural, Life and Engineering Sciences (excluding medical sciences) developing unconventional, innovative research ideas; includes obligatory support programme with three workshops.

## Summary

The Volkswagen Foundation's Night Science grant funds interdisciplinary tandems of two scientists willing to pursue unconventional, exploratory research ideas in the natural, life and engineering sciences, excluding medical sciences. Applicants must be based in Germany and participate in an obligatory support programme with three workshops alongside their research project.

## Who should apply

- Pairs of scientists forming an interdisciplinary tandem
- Researchers based at institutions in Germany
- Natural, life or engineering sciences focus (medical sciences excluded)
- Applicants open to unconventional or exploratory research approaches
- Teams willing to commit to three mandatory workshops

## Key dates

- Consortium requirement: a tandem of exactly two scientists
- Includes an obligatory support programme with three workshops

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the proposal around the unconventional or exploratory nature of the idea itself, not just its expected outcomes, this is the call's core selection criterion.
- Make the interdisciplinary pairing explicit: show how the two scientists' fields genuinely combine rather than one supporting the other.
- Budget time for the three mandatory workshops when planning the project timeline, since participation is a condition of the grant.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who can apply for the Night Science grant?

Tandems of two scientists working in natural, life or engineering sciences (medical sciences are excluded), based at institutions in Germany.

### Does Night Science require a research partner?

Yes, applications must come from an interdisciplinary tandem of exactly two scientists.

### What does the Night Science support programme involve?

Funded teams must take part in three obligatory workshops as part of the grant.

### Is Night Science open to medical researchers?

No, medical sciences are explicitly excluded from this call.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/volkswagen-foundation-night-science-space-for-the-creative-mind-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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