Funding Opportunities for Research, Technology and Innovation

National

In order to increase the research, technology and innovation intensity of the Austrian business sector and to develop technologies for addressing the grand societal challenges like climate change, the Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology offers different thematic and non-thematic programmes providing funding to participants via competitive and open calls.

Mobility Transition

A sustainable, climate-neutral and inclusive mobility and transport system in urban and rural areas not only leads to securing the quality of life, but also increases competitiveness, employment and international demand for Austrian technologies. The focus of this research and innovation priority is on innovative, sustainable transport technologies, intermodal transport systems and new services in the mobility sector.

https://www.ffg.at/en/category/forschungsschwerpunkt/mobilitaet

Energy Transition

In this research and innovation priority, innovative solutions are needed to achieve a sustainable reduction in energy and resource consumption as well as a comprehensive use of renewable energy sources. The energy transition requires developments in the area of buildings and urban systems, in energy systems and grids and in the decarbonisation of industry. This also requires increased cooperation between companies and the public sector, as well as active participation by consumers and users.

https://www.ffg.at/thema/energiewende

Circular Economy

The transformation to an efficient, circular and climate-neutral economy and society requires new technological approaches, innovative business models and systemic, interdisciplinary thinking. Also, close cooperation between solution providers, companies, infrastructure operators and consumers is needed. The ultimate goal of this research and innovation priority is resource efficiency and the transformation towards a fossil-free and circular society.

https://www.ffg.at/en/taxonomy/term/1392

Austrian Security Research Programme KIRAS

The programme supports national research projects whose results contribute to the security of all members of society. It focusses on funding activities related to protection of critical infrastructures.

http://www.kiras.at

Innovation Programme Combined Transport of Goods (IKV)

The programme aims at promoting combined transport and shifting road haulage to railways and inland waterways. It also supports equipment and systems necessary for using combined transport. Core areas are application of innovative technologies, systems to improve the performance of bi-/ multimodal transport systems, logistics systems and special logistics services to create seamless transport chains.

https://www.schig.com/aufgaben/foerderprogramme/ikv-investitionsfoerderprogramm…

The Talents Programme

The Talents Programme supports people in research and development during their whole career. The three main targets are to enthuse young people about research and development, e.g. with internships for pupils and female students, to establish closer ties between researchers and the business sector, e. g. with career grants and the job exchange for research, development and innovation, and to ensure equal opportunities for all in research.

https://www.ffg.at/talente

General Programmes

The General Programme is fundamentally based on the bottom-up principle. It is open to all branches of industry and research topics and eligible to companies and projects of all sizes addressing experimental development. The General Programmes aim at strengthening the competiveness of companies based in Austria by funding the development of new products, processes and services.

https://www.ffg.at/programme/basisprogramm

European

Europe’s leaders and the Members of the European Parliament agreed on implementing Horizon Europe, the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation until 2027. Horizon Europe is aimed at tackling climate change and helps to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals as well as to boost the EU’s competitiveness and growth.

Horizon Europe Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility

An ambitious goal of the EU is to be climate neutral by 2050. Horizon Europe Cluster 5 aims to fight climate change by making the energy and transport sectors more climate and environment-friendly, more efficient and competitive, smarter, safer and more resilient.

Annual Calls for Proposals are based on 9 areas of intervention:
- climate science and solutions
- energy supply
- energy systems and grids
- buildings and industrial facilities in energy transition
- communities and cities
- industrial competitiveness in transport
- clean, safe and accessible transport and mobility
- smart mobility
- energy storage

In the areas of climate, energy and mobility, there are 11 European Partnerships that aim to address global challenges and modernise industry and 2 Missions that aim to bring concrete solutions to some of the EU's greatest challenges by 2030.

https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/fund…

Horizon Europe / Europe's Rail

Europe's Rail is a public-private partnership between the European Union and the railway sector. As a research and innovation programme, it is intended to secure and strengthen the competitiveness of the European rail industry and at the same time make a contribution to European Union policies and objectives relevant for the railway sector.

https://rail-research.europa.eu/

Horizon Europe / KDT

KDT is a partnership between the private and the public sectors for advancing key enabling technologies, essential for Europe's competitive leadership in the era of the digital economy.

https://www.kdt-ju.europa.eu/

EUREKA

EUREKA is an initiative to encourage collaboration between organisations across Europe in the near-market development of new and innovative advanced technology products, processes and services. With this strong market orientation, EUREKA complements the EU's programmes of strategic research.

https://www.ffg.at/programme/eureka