The FFG presents a clear set of results for 2025. Despite economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions, the pace of innovation in Austria remains high. At the same time, together with the Federal Government, the FFG is placing a strategic focus on key technologies as a driver of growth, competitiveness and resilience.
Innovation delivers – especially in challenging economic times
The year 2025 was characterised by caution: investments were postponed and risks reassessed. In such phases, the counter-cyclical effect of public R&D investment becomes evident. It stabilises projects, secures employment and lays the foundation for future value creation.
“Innovation is not a cost factor, but an economic stimulus,” say FFG Managing Directors Henrietta Egerth and Karin Tausz. A study by KMU Forschung Austria shows: one euro of funding in the FFG General Program generates an average of 8.6 euro in additional revenue.
High demand – limited funds
Demand for FFG funding remains high: in 2025, 878 million euros in funding was newly approved, around two-thirds of it for companies. At the same time, the total volume of applications rose significantly to 1.8 billion euros. However, high demand is met with limited funds: 34% of projects deemed eligible for funding had to be rejected in 2025 due to budget constraints - equivalent to around 430 million euros or 760 projects.
“The figures clearly show that the momentum for innovation is there - the key is to channel it specifically into those technologies that will determine future competitiveness and value creation, and to ensure impact within strong innovation ecosystems,” says Karin Tausz.
Key technologies as a strategic priority
With the Industrial Strategy 2035, the Federal Government is, for the first time, placing a clear focus on key future fields: around 2.6 billion euros will be available for key technologies between 2026 and 2029 – ranging from artificial intelligence to quantum technology.
“Around two-thirds of FFG-funded projects already exclusively address key technologies. The crucial next step is to further increase this share and bring research into industrial application more quickly,” emphasises Henrietta Egerth.
Particularly in key technologies such as quantum technology, the potential of Austria as a business location becomes evident: scientific excellence must be increasingly translated into value creation in Austria. This requires stable framework conditions, targeted funding and a clear industrial perspective, emphasised Rupert Ursin, CEO and founder of ZeroThird and qtlabs.
“The priority now is to maintain momentum and further strengthen our capacity for innovation. Those who invest in research and innovation today will secure growth, jobs and prosperity tomorrow,” conclude Egerth and Tausz.