National Implementation of the EU-Missionen

The EU Missions are bold, inspiring, and highly visible initiatives that demonstrate the added value of European investments in research and innovation. They were developed jointly by leading experts from across Europe together with the public and will shape European research in the years to come. Their goal is to sustainably improve cancer detection and treatment by 2030 and to develop solutions to address climate change, its impacts on our urban and natural environments, and the biodiversity crisis.

In Austria, experts in five specialized working groups, the Mission Action Groups, have adapted the European mission objectives to national needs. The newly established Mission Management Unit, located within the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), supports the coordination of the national missions. In Austria, we are combining the strengths of research, science, industry, institutions, and the public to achieve the following national goals:

The ambitious objectives of the EU Missions call for bold action and equally ambitious measures in Austria. The potential is enormous. The Mission Management Unit (MMU) within the FFG was established precisely to harness this potential. Under the leadership of Sascha Ruhland, the MMU supports the process of defining and implementing concrete measures in Austria.

Together with partners from public administration, research, business, NGOs, and civil society, the MMU works toward measures that strengthen existing structures and promote innovation. Participation is already strong (see the institutions involved in the Missions), and there is always room for further engagement.

The responsibilities of the MMU include:

• Collaborating with all relevant competence holders and stakeholder groups
• Supporting the development, planning, and implementation of measures
• Contributing to the monitoring of implementation
• Facilitating coordination between the national and European levels

The next major milestone is the implementation of five action plans, one for each EU Mission. Together with dedicated partners from the respective fields, the MMU is developing plans that will pave the way for successful mission outcomes. These action plans include a portfolio of measures to be implemented over the coming years in order to achieve the ambitious goals of the EU Missions. Interested? More information can be found on the pages of the respective Missions.

The Mission Facility supports the national implementation of the EU Missions by organizing specialized training formats and producing key accompanying studies, such as the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Policy Papers. It is a collaboration of four organizations — AIT, Joanneum Research, ZSI, and Fraunhofer ISI — and operates on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Women, Science and Research (BMFWF).

Its main activities include:

• Developing a theory of change for the national implementation of the EU Missions

• Designing a monitoring and evaluation framework for the EU Missions in Austria

• Organizing training sessions specifically tailored to national implementation (for example: citizen engagement, transdisciplinary collaboration, whole-of-government approaches, etc.)

• Hosting reflexive and learning-oriented formats

More information can be found here.

To tackle major challenges, we need the right tools and a solid understanding. The national implementation of the EU Missions relies on both. Each federal province can contribute its knowledge and potential. The Mission Management Unit organizes exchange events in every province in cooperation with regional governments and local partners. These events enable interested stakeholders to contribute their expertise on the EU Missions directly and individually.

In addition, a wide range of support measures is available to assist the national implementation of the EU Missions:

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• Claude hat geantwortet: Call for Proposals — "Expedition Zukunft: Challenge Nature-based Solutions" — open until 20 August 2026

• Call for Proposals — "Expedition Zukunft: Challenge Nature-based Solutions" — open until 20 August 2026

  Climate change is placing increasing pressure on Austria's natural foundations: more frequent heatwaves, shifting precipitation patterns, and extreme events such as flooding and prolonged drought are having a profound impact on water systems, soils, biodiversity, and urban environments. Anchored in the national implementation of the EU Missions and contributing directly to mission-specific objectives for healthy soils, clean water, and climate adaptation, FFG is funding innovative approaches that transfer principles from nature to technical, industrial, and societal applications — through the "Nature-based Solutions" challenge under the Expedition Zukunft initiative. Find the call here.

• Event Invitation — FFG Forum Side Event: "Implementation in Practice"

  How does European mission policy translate into lived practice? This side event at the FFG Forum 2026 focuses on the national implementation of the five EU Missions, brings inspiring practitioners to the stage, and creates space for open exchange. On 9 September 2026, 10:00–12:00, at the MuseumsQuartier Wien, we invite you to discuss the key implementation challenges for each Mission and develop concrete solutions with a horizon of 2030. Register now and be part of the conversation. Find the registration here.

• Event Invitation — Annual Conference on Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy: "Implementation with Impact"

  Once a year, the Annual Conference on Mission-Oriented Innovation Policy brings together key actors from research, public administration, and industry to reflect on and advance the national implementation of the EU Missions. On 13 October 2026 at TechGate Wien, the conference offers space for exchange, networking, and strategic discussion across all five Missions — from healthy soils to the climate-neutral city. Register now and become part of the community driving mission-oriented innovation in Austria. Find the registration here.