The Austrian Research Promotion Agency - FFG
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the national funding agency for industrial research and development in Austria. All FFG activities aim to strengthen Austria as a research and innovation centre on the global market and thus help to ensure the long-term availability of high quality jobs and maintain the prosperity of one of the world"s wealthiest countries.
The tasks of the FFG are as follows:
- To manage and finance research projects in the business and science sectors, impulse programmes for the economy and research facilities, and networks fostering cooperation between science and industry.
- To manage cooperative programmes and projects with the EU and other European and international partners.
- To represent Austria"s interests at relevant European and international institutions on behalf of the Austrian government.
- To provide consultation and support to intensify Austria"s involvement in European programmes, especially in the EU Framework Programme for Research, Technology and Innovation and the Framework Programme for Competitiveness and Innovation.
- To provide support and strategy development services for decision-makers in the Austrian innovation system.
- To improve public awareness of the importance of R&D.
More information at: https://www.ffg.at/en
AplusB-Centres
The programme has been successfully promoting innovate start-ups in high tech sectors (mechatronics, life science, creative industries, advanced materials, energy efficiency and green technologies) through centres located in Austrian regions. The programme was designed and coordinated at the national level, while the AplusB centres integrate local specificities by working locally with universities and intermediary organisations achieving a sufficient critical mass. Up to April 2018, 829 projects have been supervised; 710 of those projects resulted in the establishment of a company; over 3,000 high-quality jobs have been created in the newly formed company.
“AplusB scale-up” is the follow-up of the “AplusB” program and was developed to establish a more dynamic environment for academic start-ups and to increase their chances to grow and export. “AplusB scale-up” addresses early stage start-ups having already developed a business idea. Compared to typical funds and grants the focus is not on financial support, but on coaching and supporting scale up and internationalisation. It establishes partnerships with academia and other actors of the entrepreneurial ecosystem like business angel networks, industry partners and cluster organisations. The actual AplusB scale-up program is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology together with the federal states. Since 2017, the AWS is operating the programme.
More information at: https://www.aplusb.biz/
FWF-Austrian Science Fund
The purpose of the FWF is to support the ongoing development of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. In this way, the FWF makes a significant contribution to cultural development, to the advancement of our knowledge-based society, and thus to the creation of value and wealth in Austria.
Objectives
- To strengthen Austria's international performance and capabilities in science and research as well as the country's attractiveness as a location for high-level scientific activities, primarily by funding top-quality research projects for individuals and teams and by enhancing the competitiveness of Austria's innovation system and its research facilities;
- To develop Austria's human resources for science and research in both qualitative and quantitative terms based on the principle of research-driven education;
- To emphasize and enhance the interactive effects of science and research with all other areas of culture, the economy and society, and in particular to increase the acceptance of science and research through concerted public relations activities.
More information at: https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/
Regional support
Every region in Austria has their own funding and support mechanisms for hightech projects and start-ups in place.
The regional cluster organisations in the different reason are the first point of contact with questions regarding life science support and funidng.
To find out more about the regional life sicence cluster organisations in Austria please refer to this page.