The announcement comes as the leading European foundations met together to discuss how they can share experience, best practice and work more closely together. The European foundations will also soon be meeting with Carlos Moedas, the EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, to discuss European philanthropy and research and how that might contribute and complement the EU Horizon 2020 research and innovation framework programme as it is developed.
Millions of people in countries across the world are facing major challenges that affect their health, safety and livelihood. The world is tackling the largest refugee crisis since World War II and social inequality and extreme weather events threaten more lives. The scale of these issues means that no one nation can tackle them independently.
Six interdisciplinary research groups have been awarded funding for projects that range from understanding how asylum policies impact refugee decision-making, to strengthening climate action in the global south. Each partner will fund two projects directly.
This new funding builds on the relationship that the three foundations have had over the past few years as part of the Europe and Global Challenges initiative. The unique partnership sees the cross-European funders working together on global problems and encourages researchers to form new collaborations with colleagues from across the world.
More information about the six projects that receive funding can be found in the press release of VolkswagenStiftung.
