Strengthening science & basic research in Austria and beyond

Open Access Government charts the sterling efforts and funding to make science and basic research in Austria stronger and beyond

The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) funds basic research strengthening Austria’s science and humanities. However, the FWF’s purpose goes beyond the country in that science and basic research in Austria must be supported “at a high international level.” As such, the FWF significantly advance knowledge-based society and cultural development, creating value. ⁽¹⁾

Research in Austria at the international level

Picking up on the international theme, we know that enhancing Austria’s visibility as a research location is a crucial FWF objective. We hear that more high-level research occurs in global networks where competition and international cooperation are equally valid.

As well as prominent people in the research world and respected research institutions with international visibility, the overall conditions established by national funding agencies play an essential part in bolstering global integration into such networks. One apparent aim for FWF is to heighten the status of Europe in this vein, “not least…to advance the integration of basic research funding in the European Research Area”.

The FWF takes precise measures to support “the internationalisation of Austrian science and research”. International integration is seen in individual cooperation arrangements and specific international programmes regarding FWF projects. Did you know over 50% of all continuing FWF projects take place in cooperation with research partners from beyond the borders of Austria? ⁽²⁾

Funding cutting-edge research in Austria

But what about the funding of cutting-edge research? What can we say about this? As the basic research community in Austria grows, so does the FWF financing provides. Research investments rose in 2022, achieving €273 million and 743 projects at the country’s research institutions, paving the way for prosperity, progress and innovation.

We hear that the FWF Distinguished Professor program, the third pillar of the excellence initiative excellent=austria, commences this year. The Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) will fund FWF with €1.124 billion between 2024 and 2026. At the FWF annual press conference earlier this year, Austria’s Minister of Education, Science and Research Martin Polaschek underlined the crucial role of basic research for the years ahead.

“FWF funding gives researchers the opportunity to pursue fundamental research questions at the highest international level. All of these researchers are making a valuable contribution, helping us find new answers to current and future challenges. My goal is to ensure the best possible conditions for scientific progress and, at the same time, to further strengthen the public’s confidence in research findings.”

Advanced research in Austria continues to progress, and this growth reflects in third party-funded research. In 2022, natural sciences and technology projects received €115 million, biology and medical sciences €100 million, and humanities and social sciences €58 million. As of April 2023, we find out that FWF funds 4,842 researchers in continuing projects at Austria’s universities and other research institutions, a level unprecedented.

Despite intense inflationary pressures, this is a funding success and a positive boost to the country’s cutting-edge research. It is fitting, therefore, that we now digest the insightful comments of Christof Gattringer, President of the FWF, about this research success story. “The need for new knowledge is growing in all areas of life, from medicine to the climate to digital technologies, or to give us a better understanding of history and current events.

“In the face of multiple crises and the transformation to a sustainable future, basic research plays an important role in triggering innovation and expanding our knowledge base. For the 2024 to 2026 period, we will have to continue to work together to ensure that all planned projects can be fully implemented with the announced budget and any additional funds.”

Basic research in Austria for the future

The volume of basic research planned by Austria’s Federal Government is vital to the research community and FWF in the future. €1.124 billion from 2024 to 2026 provided by the BMBWF means that most FWF programmes and the excellence initiative can continue, and long may they do so. ⁽³⁾

References

1. https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/about-the-fwf/corporate-policy
2. https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/about-the-fwf/international-activities/fwf-international
3. https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/news-and-media-relations/news/detail/nid/20230424-2864?tx_rsmnews_detail%5Bref%5D=l&cHash=0d4cc1e3be5163deedf73d9b50677998