BMAW/FFG/FHK: Research for industry at universities of applied sciences
The BMAW invests more than 8 million euros in targeted funding of research for industry at universities of applied sciences – FFG funds 13 new research projects across Austria
The "FH – Research for Industry" call is promoting the development and expansion of important research expertise at Austrian universities of applied sciences, allowing them to act as strong partners to support industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, in their research. The Federal Ministry of Labour and Economy (BMAW) provided 8.19 million euros for the 9th FH – Research for Industry (formerly "COIN Aufbau") call. The FFG is responsible for managing the call.
Support from universities of applied sciences strengthens companies in a targeted manner, allowing them to develop new technologies and innovative products based on the research findings generated at universities of applied sciences. A total of 44 applications were submitted with 28.2 million euros in requested funding. The funding budget of 8.19 million will be used in full, financing 13 applied research projects at 8 different Austrian universities of applied sciences.
"Promoting cooperation between science and industry is an important element in Austrian research and innovation policy. It brings an innovative edge that Austria needs in international competition as a business location. By working closely with industry, universities of applied sciences are not only essential for educating and training skilled workers, they also offer enormous research potential which should be leveraged in the best possible way in cooperation with companies,” said Martin Kocher, Minister of Labour and Economy.
The projects are spread over 5 provinces, with the vast majority thematically related to ICT or digitalisation. Life sciences, Industry 4.0, environment, energy, and education are further focal points. The projects run between 3 and 5 years and receive up to 1.3 million euros in funding.
“The programme promotes the development and expansion of important research expertise at Austrian universities of applied sciences. Through the targeted transfer of technology and know-how, they act as strong research partners to companies, especially SMEs,” say the two FFG Managing Directors Henrietta Egerth and Klaus Pseiner. “We are particularly pleased when the FFG establishes new networks between science and industry, and creates links to existing ones.”
The FH Research for Industry (formerly “COIN Aufbau”) funding format has proven its worth: 132 projects have been funded in the 9 calls to date. In total, more than 85 million euros were made available for this purpose. The project applications and funding have shown an increasingly strong focus on digitalisation.
“Funding schemes like this are needed to realise the societal and social value of research. Innovations are created through applied research in the form of cooperation between universities of applied sciences, companies, and non-university project partners. We would certainly like to see more of such initiatives, because applied research produces solutions that our society urgently needs,” says FHK President Ulrike Prommer.