Sandpit
Wübben Foundation sandpits offer researchers the freedom to think beyond disciplinary conventions, test fresh approaches, and air new ideas. 15–20 Curious Minds are invited to a three-day event to give shape to a topic away from established structures and predictable constellations.
Objective
Wübben Stiftung Wissenschaft sandpits invite researchers to work outside their comfort zone in unconventional constellations in order to give shape to an overarching topic and develop fresh approaches and research questions that promise to deliver innovative insights. The program welcomes research topics that are not covered by the mainstream of existing funding opportunities and thus promise to break new ground. The format requires all participants to be outstanding, intellectually open-minded team players so as to create a setting in which established traditions of thought and disciplinary boundaries can be called into question. Participants should not have collaborated or published together previously. The goal of the program is to generate unorthodox ideas for projects that set out to tackle highly relevant challenges in today’s society.
Theme 2026: «Understanding, shaping, and transforming bureaucracy»
Bureaucracy is a central organizing principle of modern societies: it structures governmental action, organizes administrative processes, regulates economic activities, and, not least, shapes the academic system. At the same time, it is perceived in an extremely ambivalent way—on the one hand, as a guarantor of legal certainty, transparency, and reliability; on the other, as a symbol of overregulation, inflexibility, and an impediment to innovation.
How can bureaucratic processes be understood, critically examined, improved, or transformed in different contexts? Academic engagement with this topic requires an interdisciplinary approach that brings together historical, sociological, economic, legal, political, technological, and psychological perspectives.
Possible research questions might address the historical development logics of bureaucracy, its social and economic effects, its role in ensuring legitimacy and transparency, its impact on the academic system, or the challenges posed by digital administration.
The sandpit format provides the ideal framework for this: These interdisciplinary workshops bring together up to 20 participants, offering them the opportunity to develop new research and solution approaches over the course of three days in a creative environment. There is a general topic, but no further specifications.
Funding
Wübben Stiftung Wissenschaft is making available €50,000 for a three-day sandpit event plus an ensuing workshop to document the results. The sandpit will be organized by the researchers who have been awarded funding for the event. Funding can be used flexibly to cover costs for travel, accommodation, catering, the event location, and other expenses. The documented results will be published by Wübben Stiftung Wissenschaft.
Researchers who are awarded funding may nominate 6–8 participants themselves and choose an additional 6–8 participants in a next step from a pool of potential candidates to be drawn up by a group of experts consulted by the Foundation. Wübben Stiftung Wissenschaft will also nominate the workshop facilitators.
Who is eligible?
Researchers at all career levels (post-doc and above) and from all disciplines working at a German university
Application procedure
Your application should contain three separate documents:
A. Research topic
Individuals or groups of up to three researchers may submit an application by presenting a two-page (max.) outline of the specific research topic they wish to focus on in the sandpit. Groups are requested to designate a spokesperson. Explain which disciplines are essential for the sandpit. Applicants are encouraged to think outside familiar boxes. The identity and institutional affiliation of applicants will not be disclosed until the final review phase, so please do not include details that might enable reviewers to identify the researchers involved or their institutional affiliation, and do not submit preliminary data, or details related to publications, awards received, patents filed, etc. This approach will help Wübben Stiftung Wissenschaft to ensure reviews are as unbiased as possible, giving priority to the most original ideas.
Please name the submitted file as follows: ‘A_your_topic(keyword)’
B. CVs and budget
Applicants should include their CVs as well as a short description of the expenses to be covered by the funding (€50,000 max. including all costs for a three-day event, travel and accommodation, research material, as well as other necessary expenses). It is possible to include a budget for a follow-up weekend to write up and finalize the results and positions that have emerged during the sandpit. Funding will be released through the university with which the applicant (or the applying group’s spokesperson) is affiliated. That university will be responsible for disbursing and accounting for funds.
Please name the submitted file as follows: ‘B_CVs_Budget’
C. Date and potential participants
In document C, please suggest a date for the sandpit and nominate up to 8 sandpit participants (with whom you have not collaborated or published previously). A list of names indicating the respective subject area and institution is sufficient. The sandpit event should be held within six months of funding being awarded.
Please name the submitted file as follows: ‘C_Date_Participants’
You will be able to submit your applications in English via our online application portal starting at the end of January 2026. Please note that applications must be submitted in English. If you have any questions regarding the application process, feel free to contact us at sandpit@w-s-w.org.
