Funding Program 2026–2027 "Citizen Science... and then?"

The Funding Initiative 2026–2027 "Citizen Science… and then?" of the Hans Sauer Foundation supports civil society and scientific institutions nationwide in the consolidation of citizen science projects. The focus is on the sustainable embedding of research results in politics, administration, and society, in order to effectively realize the transformative potential of collaboratively gathered data beyond the project duration. Up to five projects will each be funded with up to €20,000; applications can be submitted from 02.02.2026 to 27.09.2026. Funded are strategies for organizing new structures (association founding, digital platforms), translation processes into policy recommendations, as well as scaling concepts for expansion to additional regions or target groups. Eligible expenses include material and personnel costs, external scientific support, project-related training and further education, as well as administrative costs up to 10% of the funding amount.

Eligible to apply are non-profit recognized associations, civil society initiatives, or scientific institutions based in Germany that act as initiators or main organizers of a citizen science project and have a clear connection to science and research. A telephone consultation is mandatory prior to application submission. Evaluation is based on the criteria of consolidation strategy, societal impact, and scientific quality. Decisions on applications submitted by May 10, 2026, will be made from July 13 onward; for applications submitted by September 27, 2026, from December 15, 2026, onward. The maximum project duration is 12 months. Funding partners may participate in the foundation’s networking and qualification offerings and contribute to transparency in fund usage through reports and proof of expenditure.