On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF) and funded by the European Union under the Development and Resilience Plan (2020-2026), the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) are implementing the Quantum Austria Funding Initiative from 2021-2026.
FFG and FWF will use a selection of their respective funding instruments for personnel and infrastructure for this purpose. Part of the funding is provided for research infrastructure in the highly innovative field of next generation high performance computing, quantum computing as well as their interconnection.
The scientific issues of the projects in the field of quantum research and quantum technology may cover, for example, the following topics:
- Specific preparation and control of quantum states;
- New algorithms and mathematical theoretical concepts that make use of the superposition and entanglement of quantum states;
- Developments and applications in quantum communication; quantum sensor technology, quantum metrology, quantum simulation, quantum computing, and quantum information;
- Development of ideas based on quantum phenomena in the neighbouring fields of physics, mathematics, chemistry, and in biological systems.

This initiative of the Federal Ministry for Labour and Economy (BMAW) supports measures in companies for the systematic development and qualification of their research and innovation staff. The programme also aims to promote cooperation between companies and tertiary education and research institutions as well as to enhance the integration of industrially relevant research fields.

The R&D Infrastructure Funding Programme supports projects designed to acquire and develop high quality R&D infrastructure for use in both basic and applied research.

The funding supports "smaller" research and development projects of SMEs and startups. They can be carried out as a single firm project as well as in cooperation. As a result, projects target usable products, processes or services. Project costs up to max. 60 % (max. total costs € 150,000) can be funded in the form of grants. Submissions can be made on an ongoing basis, there are no restrictions on the topic.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a central role in Austria's economy. In order to facilitate the entry into a continuous research and development activity and to raise the quality of the research projects, the FFG bundles coordinated SME subsidies. For SMEs, appropriate funding is available for each phase (parallel funding excluded). With the various subsidy models and non-repayable grants from 6,000 Euros (eg Projekt.Start), grants from 10,000 Euros (eg Innovation Voucher, Patent.Voucher) to max. 90,000 Euros (eg Small Scale Project), the FFG makes it easier for SMEs to get into research and development. The core objective of the SME funding is a subsequent, concrete research and development project in the company (eg General Programme and Small Scale Project). SME Hotline: 05 7755-5000.

The Spin-off Fellowship programme is designed to develop the intellectual property held in Austrian universities and research institutions so that it can form the basis for new start-ups.

The Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology supports people in research and development throughout their whole career. There are three main targets: Encouraging young people to start a career in research and development, connecting researchers with businesses and ensuring equal opportunities for all.