bridges vol. 12, December 2006 / News from the Network: Austrian Researchers Abroad

The Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG , Austrian Research Promotion Agency) is the central funding institution in Austria for applied research. It supports research and development projects of Austrian companies and institutions with a broad range of financial and service activities. Owned by the Republic of Austria, its major goal is to strengthen the Austrian innovation system.

bridges spoke with Dr. Henrietta Egerth, director of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, about the various programs promoting innovation in Austria, its "Technology Rating System", and much more:

bridges: What type of research is funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft, or FFG), and what is its annual funding budget?

Henrietta Egerth: The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG ) is the central organization for promotion of research and innovation in Austria. FFG offers advice, support, and promotion for research and innovation projects. In this way, the FFG plays an important role in achieving aims, both research and political, defined by Austria and the European Union. The FFG's total volume of funding comprises approximately €420 million (in 2006).

The main areas of activity within the FFG are split into four Program divisions and the Aeronautics and Space Agency. Support for these divisions is provided by Internal Services and the Staff Unit "Strategy," that strengthens and combines existing know-how.
General Programs
The FFG's bottom-up research promotion is handled by the General Programs division. Each year, around €270 million are awarded to individual research projects in the form of grants, loans, and the assumption of liability. At present, approximately one-third of all applications for funding are successful.
Structural Programs
The Structural Programs both optimize the framework conditions for research and innovation in Austria and address specific structural deficits. The main areas of focus are centers of competence, innovation, and cooperation as well as human resources and gender. More than €60 million are available to the Structural Programs.
Thematic Programs
The Thematic Programs define areas of emphasis for key technologies of the future. These include funding programs in the fields of transport and infrastructure, information technology, nanotechnology, and genetics. A budget of approximately €50 million is allocated to the Thematic Programs.
European and International Programs
The FFG is the Austrian center of competence and the hub as regards encouraging participation in international research and development activities. Besides the European Framework Program (the primary resource in terms of funding programs), this department also manages programs such as EUREKA , INTAS , eTen , eContent and the international technology transfer network "Innovation Relay Center ."
Aeronautics and Space Agency
Via the Aeronautics and Space Agency, the FFG represents Austria's interests on international committees and participates in European networks. This experience can be transferred to our clients for their benefit in consultation sessions.

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