Implementing EU Missions Austria

Background and Objectives

IMPA aims to deliver research, infrastructure and transfer measures in order to contribute to the implementation of the five EU Missions by 2030. The specific objectives are:

• Making research data accessible: research data and research-relevant data relating to the EU Missions are collected in appropriate databases/data infrastructures and used for — and made accessible for — research purposes
• Capacity building for harnessing and consolidating existing data holdings: availability of Data Stewards to harmonise data holdings
• Funding research in line with the action plans for implementing the five EU Missions
• National implementation funding following on from and building on EU-funded mission projects: translation of European project results into national and regional innovation ecosystems
• Strengthening trans- and interdisciplinary collaboration: delivery of suitable networking formats and accompanying activities
• Supporting transfer activities in the economy and society ("Third Mission"): communicating research results, citizen engagement, citizen science, and fostering disruptive innovations with a lasting positive impact in social, environmental or economic terms

In implementing IMPA, consistent use is made of the instruments and measures defined in the paper on the framework for implementing the EU Missions in Austria (2022), drawn up by the Mission Management Group. In addition, funding is provided for activities developed in the action plans for the national implementation of the EU Missions, jointly elaborated with the five Mission Action Groups. Further information on the process is available on the national implementation page.

The 5 EU-Missions

To support Europe's transformation into a greener, healthier, more inclusive and more resilient continent, the EU has defined five missions that address some of the greatest challenges facing the EU. The aim is to develop solutions to these challenges along the lines of these five missions.

	Mission Krebs besiegen	Aiming to improve the lives of more than 3 million people affected by cancer — directly or indirectly (e.g. families) — by 2030 through prevention and cure, and to enable those directly affected to live longer and better lives. Focusing on four sub-goals: Understanding cancer. Prevention and early detection. Diagnosis and treatment. Quality of life of patients and their families.
	Mission Klimawandel meistern	Aiming to support EU regions, cities and local authorities in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change. Specifically, the goal is to support at least 150 regions and communities on their path to climate resilience by 2030. The focus is on helping with national adaptation strategies and on the individual "journeys" of the regions and communities.
	Mission Wasser und Gewässer	Aiming to protect and restore the health of our oceans and waters through research and innovation, citizen engagement and "blue investment", thereby also contributing to climate neutrality. Within the EU Mission, oceans and waters are treated as a single, connected system. Specific sub-goals: Protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters. Make the sustainable "blue economy" carbon-neutral and circular.
	Mission Klimaneutrale Stadt	Aim: by involving local authorities, citizens, businesses, investors, and regional and national authorities — to: Develop 100 climate-neutral and smart cities by 2030, and ensure that these cities act as experimentation and innovation hubs, enabling all European cities to become climate-neutral and smart cities by 2050.
	Mission Gesunde Böden	Aiming to restore the health of Europe's soils by 2030. Eight sub-goals: Reduce desertification. Conserve soil organic carbon stocks. Stop soil sealing and increase the re-use of urban soils. Reduce soil pollution and enhance restoration. Prevent erosion. Improve soil structure to enhance soil biodiversity. Reduce the EU's global footprint on soils. Improve soil literacy in society.

IMPA within the FFG

In implementing IMPA, the FFG draws both on existing funding instruments and on the development of new funding instruments and accompanying measures designed to align with the objectives of the five EU Missions. The following funding and accompanying measures were implemented for 2023/2024:

	Modul 1: Funding for Research, Development and Innovation	Impact Innovation "Missions" (closed) E.g. developing solution ideas together with stakeholders in the run-up to R&D projects
	Modul 2: Research Data Infrastructure	R&D Infrastructure Funding (closed) E.g. for establishing a research data infrastructure
	Modul 3: Transfer into the market and society	Impact Innovation "Missions" (closed) E.g. developing solution ideas for transferring scientific findings and innovations into society
	Modul 4: Accompanying Measures	Ab 2025: Diverse Begleitmaßnahmen und  Vernetzungsaktivitäten