With the "Lichtenberg Endowed Professorships”, the Stifterverband für die deutsche Wissenschaft and the Volkswagen Foundation seek to establish a new endowment funding instrument for universities in Germany. The idea is to help universities attract outstanding scholars and scientists from innovative, seminal and risk-prone fields of research. The initiative provides greater planning security for the host universities as well as for the holders of the professorship. Moreover, the initiative enables host universities to implement their innovation and structural policies more independently and dependably than ever before, and they are incentivised to step up their efforts to acquire external funds. At the same time, the initiative sends a signal for more civic engagement in the field of science.
Each professorship will be endowed with capital totalling at least 5 million EUR. The Volkswagen Foundation and, if applicable, one of the Stifterverband’s affiliated foundations each enter into a commitment for a starting capital of 1 million EUR per professorship. Another 3 million EUR must be guaranteed by the host university through fundraising. Eligible for funding are highly qualified researchers of all disciplines and nationalities who, together with the target university in Germany, are in international comparison among the leaders in their respective fields of research.

highly qualified scientists of all disciplines and nationalities who are (among) the leaders in their respective fields in an international comparison
W2 or W3 professorships are primarily supported, preferably returning scientists or applicants from abroad.

doctorate

Every professorship will be endowed with a total funding of 5 million EUR at least. The Volkswagen Foundation will provide per professorship 1 million EUR as initial capital. Another 3 million EUR must be guaranteed by the host university through fundraising.

You will find all information on the application procedure here.

An application can be made at any time.