Funding guide

You have come across a problem for which no satisfactory solution has been found yet? Well why not do something about it! The FFG's Impact Innovation funding scheme encourages you to find or test your ideas using innovation methods, and will pay half of the costs. Up to 75,000 euros are available, no matter which topic you choose or which sector you operate in. The key point is that the process involves all stakeholders concerned with the aim of developing new ideas into effective solutions. You don't need to be an innovation professional to do that! Impact Innovation will also provide funding if you wish to seek support from experts. The funding application for Impact Innovation can be submitted at an early stage of the process, even before you have selected a solution approach. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis – there is no deadline.

The programm Industrial PhD was financed by the National Foundation for Research, Technology and Development, the Austria Fund and the Future Austria Fund until 2023. Since 2023, Industrial PhD projects are supported by the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology (BMK).

Pay research services of research institutions up to € 10,000 (De-minimis grant)

The Innovation Voucher is a funding instrument designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises in Austria to start ongoing research and innovation activities. The Innovation Voucher enables enterprises to enlist the services of research institutions and to pay for these services to a maximum value of € 12.500,- (80 % funding quota). Submission of an application is possible at any time.

IraSME was initiated in 2005 as an ERA-NET. Until 2010 it was supported by the European Commission’s 6th and 7th Framework Programme for Research and Development. Since January 2011 IraSME is a self-sustained network of several national funding agencies coordinated by the German AiF Projekt GmbH.

Joint Programming Initiatives (JPI) coordinate national research areas and launch joint calls providing the opportunity to cooperate at a European level.
The aim of the joint programming process is to pool national research efforts in order to make better use of Europe's research and development resources and tackle common European challenges more effectively.

Market introduction and expansion

Markt.Start is a substential funding instrument adressing small-sized companies only. The funding goal is to support small companies for the market entrance and therefore launch of product innovations, service innovations and process development after successful driven R&D. Funding is provided up to max. € 250.000,- each for market transition by funding with low-interet loans.

Support for companies in the semiconductor industry and value chain

The technology offensive "Microelectronics2Market" is aimed at internationally active companies that hold a position as technology leader or are on the verge of achieving this. Funding is provided for research and development projects that are embedded in an offensive business field strategy and address the challenges of the semiconductor industry and the associated value network in the EU and contribute to the expansion of production and services in this value network. This should pave the way for the participating actors to submit follow-up projects under pillar 2 of the European Chips Act (directionality).Submission is possible at any time.

Check your innovation idea on patentability

The Patent.Voucher supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups and founders to check the patentability of their innovation idea and furthermore to speed up preparation and submission of the application for a patent.  The FFG aid covers up to 80 % of the total costs (non-repayable subsidies), which are limited by € 12.500,-. Submission of an application is possible at any time.

Submission options at a glance

A highly innovative and competitive manufacturing industry is the engine of the Austrian economy. It contributes substantially to strengthening Austria's position as a business location and helps to secure jobs. Smart forward looking production technologies provide targeted support in this context.
The economic performance of Austria strongly depends on its manufacturing industry. The ability to manufacture internationally competitive products and to increase productivity is key to the economic growth of Austria as a highly industrialised and knowledge based country. And innovations in the manufacturing sector will continue to be an indispensable basis for added value and employment in the future.

Support of preparatory work for a concrete research project

Projekt.Start is an attractive SME funding instrument for the support of preparatory work for a concrete research project. Both internal preparation costs and external expenses and specialist, project-specific support can be funded. The total project costs of up to € 10,000,- can be approved, whereby the external services must not amount to more than half of these costs. The funding level is 60 % and the funding is limited to max. € 6.000,- (non-repayable subsidies). Submission of an application is possible at any time.