# Transformational Knowledge on Democracies under Change – Transdisciplinary Perspectives

**Funder:** Volkswagen Foundation
**Consortium:** Required — science + non-academic actors
**Eligible countries:** DE
**Official call:** https://www.volkswagenstiftung.de/en/funding/funding-offer/transformational-knowledge-democracies-under-change-transdisciplinary-perspectives
**Last verified:** 21 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Addresses researchers (lead: humanities, cultural and social sciences) together with non-academic actors for transdisciplinary research on democratic forms of government under change. Cooperation with natural, life, data and technical sciences possible. Funds task forces and cooperation projects.

## Summary

The Volkswagen Foundation funds transdisciplinary research teams on democracies under change, with humanities and social sciences leading alongside external partners from policy, civil society, or industry. Teams must include non-academic actors and may incorporate natural, life, data, or technical sciences as supporting disciplines. Eligible researchers are based in Germany and apply as task forces or cooperation projects addressing contemporary democratic transformation.

## Who should apply

- Researchers in humanities, cultural studies, or social sciences as project leads
- Teams willing to partner with non-academic actors (policymakers, civil society, practitioners)
- Researchers based at German institutions
- Projects addressing contemporary challenges to democratic governance
- Teams open to incorporating natural, life, data, or technical science collaborators

## Key dates

- Verify exact deadline on Volkswagen Foundation website
- Consortium-based application (task forces or cooperation projects)
- Transdisciplinary team structure required

## Tips for applicants

- The non-academic partner is not a token collaborator; articulate why their expertise and perspective are essential to the research design.
- Lead with the humanities or social science research question, then show how cross-disciplinary and external expertise strengthen the answer, not the reverse.
- Clarity on governance and decision-making within the consortium matters; explain how you will bridge academic and non-academic working cultures.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who can apply for the Volkswagen Foundation democracy research grant?

Researchers from humanities, cultural studies, or social sciences leading transdisciplinary teams that include non-academic partners (policy, civil society, or industry actors) and are based in Germany.

### Can I lead a team if I'm not in humanities or social sciences?

No, the lead discipline must be humanities, cultural studies, or social sciences; however, natural, life, data, and technical sciences can participate as supporting collaborators.

### Are non-academic partners required?

Yes, the consortium must include actors outside academia, such as practitioners, policymakers, or civil society representatives.

### What does the grant fund, a task force or a cooperation project?

The call supports both task forces and cooperation projects; both must be transdisciplinary and include external partners addressing democratic change.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/volkswagen-foundation-transformational-knowledge-on-democracies-under-ch-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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