STEM Innovations

The "STEM Innovations" program of the Vector Foundation supports bold and unconventional research approaches in the disciplines of mathematics, computer science, natural sciences, and engineering at universities and research institutions in Baden-Württemberg. With seed funding of up to €100,000 over a maximum of 24 months, the call promotes projects with high innovation potential and a deliberately risk-prone character. The funding is aimed at researchers at all career stages: from students and doctoral candidates to postdocs and experienced scientists who wish to pursue new methodological paths and address interdisciplinary questions. A prerequisite is an institutional base and activity in Baden-Württemberg, thereby sustainably strengthening the regional research landscape and sparking creative impulses.

The Vector Foundation awards the funding in the form of a grant, sending a strong signal for bold ideas beyond conventional paths. The submission deadline will be announced at the start of the call, allowing project proposals to be prepared in a timely manner. By consistently focusing on seed funding, the "STEM Innovations" program enables the establishment of new collaborations, the acquisition of necessary resources, and the generation of initial findings to achieve long-term scientific breakthroughs. Researchers in Baden-Württemberg thus receive the best framework conditions to elevate their innovative concepts to the next level and decisively advance the STEM landscape.