BW Stiftung – Earth Observation for Livable Cities and Regions

Grants for interdisciplinary collaborative projects on Earth observation that aim to shape resilient, sustainable and livable cities and regions in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

Baden-Württemberg Stiftung (BW Stiftung – Baden-Württemberg Foundation) is one of the biggest foundations of private law in Germany. It was established in 2000 as a successor of Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg and remains directly affiliated with the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. BW Stiftung is designed to strengthen and secure the future success of Baden-Württemberg. It promotes education, networking and innovative research in science, industry and society.

The Earth Observation for Livable Cities and Regions (Erdbeobachtung für lebenswerte Städte und Regionen) programme aims to foster internationally competitive projects and to position Baden-Württemberg as a model region for integrated Earth observation, with the goal of using scientific evidence to shape resilient, sustainable and livable cities and regions. In line with the concept of planetary health, the research approaches are intended to utilise the existing interactions between natural resources, climate, the environment and human health as the basis for sustainable transformation and adaptation strategies.

Project ideas should focus on the intersection of Earth observation, AI supported data analysis, geodata collection and integration, and digital decision-support systems. The research projects should also demonstrate an application-oriented focus with a concrete prospect for subsequent transferability into practice.

The programme will be implemented through three modules:

1. Analysis and Evaluation: Development of Integrated Earth Observation Systems
2. Application and Evidence: Practice-Oriented Validation
3. Operational Implementation: Integrating the Results into Planning and Decision-Making Processes

It is possible to address multiple modules within a single project. A solid foundation of existing data should already be in place at the start, which can serve as the basis for further development.

The objectives of the research programme require interdisciplinary collaboration among experts from various fields. Accordingly, consortia involving partners from different research institutions are expected.