The Volkswagen Foundation has announced that its reviewers will continue to be eligible for a 10,000 euro grant through a lottery-based system for at least the next three years. No separate application is required, as participation is automatic once an individual undertakes the role of reviewer. The initiative is designed to recognise the essential contributions of peer reviewers while also encouraging academic exchange and international collaboration.
The funding can be used for activities that strengthen networking, dialogue, and cooperation across institutions and countries. Launched in July 2023 as a field experiment, the programme has received a positive response from the academic community, with many describing it as both a meaningful gesture of appreciation and a practical support mechanism for research collaboration.
Recipients have reported that the funding has enabled international travel, strengthened existing academic partnerships, and improved coordination between research teams. In some cases, it has also helped PhD students receive valuable feedback on their work and supported the development of new collaborative research proposals.
According to initial findings from the 2023–2025 pilot phase, the programme has attracted strong interest not only from researchers but also from other funding organisations. It has shown that financial recognition, even when offered through a random selection process, can positively motivate peer review participation and enhance the quality and impact of academic collaboration.
Under the scheme, 25 reviewers are randomly selected each year from those who have contributed to the Foundation’s review process, regardless of their country of residence. Selected participants can receive up to 10,000 euro for projects aimed at advancing international cooperation, with a brief proposal required for approval following internal review by the Foundation.
