CRoSS Fellowship

CRoSS Fellowship of the Stifterverband is aimed at researchers from all disciplines who wish to enrich their projects through low-threshold, open cooperation with societal actors from civil society, business, and science. Private individuals from all over Germany can apply for grants on an ongoing basis. The program’s goal is to direct the focus of science more strongly towards societal concerns and to build trust through transparency, participation, and communication. Interdisciplinary teams address pressing challenges such as networked mobility, sustainable energy supply, social cohesion, or health issues. The fellowship promotes cooperative research formats as experimental spaces where innovative solutions emerge and the role of science in society is strengthened. An online application with a project description is sufficient to receive individual support.

The allocation is carried out in an unbureaucratic and flexible manner: applications can be submitted continuously, with no maximum duration or funding limit. A prerequisite is an existing scientific activity or research project that achieves added value through interactive exchange with relevant practical partners. By integrating diverse expertise, synergy effects arise that traditional research results often do not deliver. The CRoSS Fellowship acts as an incubator for innovative model projects while simultaneously strengthening society’s innovative capacity. The Stifterverband functions as a think tank and network with over 3,500 members from business, foundations, and individuals. As the sponsor, it develops strategic programs to systematically promote research transfer and societal participation. Interested researchers can obtain details and application information directly from the Stifterverband für die Deutsche Wissenschaft e. V.