Research pact 2024-2026: 5 billion for innovation and growth!

Research pact 2024-2026: 5 billion for innovation and growth!

As part of the current political discussion on research financing in Austria, the minister emphasized that negotiations on the research pact represent a "hard nut". In her first three months in office, she conducted intensive discussions with actors in research and science. In doing so, she was satisfied that the promised funds could be held in the performance agreements with universities despite uncertain times. The planned financing provides for a total of around 5 billion euros in 2024 to 2026, which are provided for various research funding agencies and non -university research institutions. According to Kleine Zeitung , the negotiations on future financing must be completed by the end of 2025.

The FTI pact is designed as a central performance agreement to structure research financing in Austria. The Research Financing Act (FOFINAG) provides long -term, growth -oriented financing, which is intended to reconcile a plus for research institutions in particular from 2027. No changes to the legal text are planned, which the minister urges an increased action. The university strategy 2040, which is firmly anchored in the government program, is emphasized as an important point in order to define clear steps for further development of university education and research in Austria.

research, technology and innovation

The FTI strategy 2030, which was decided by the Austrian federal government, focuses on research, technology and innovation. The aim is to position Austria in the international top field of FTI policy and to strengthen the location. Focus on the effectiveness and excellence in research as well as investment in knowledge, talents and skills are placed. The fields of action of the strategy are strategically linked and contribute to achieving several goals, as on the website of Bundeskanzleramts

The FTI pact is operationalized for the implementation of the FTI strategy. The second FTI pact for 2024-2026, which was decided in December 2022, contains strategic priorities and measures to achieve targets. It applies to three years and includes comprehensive measures to support the climate and transformation offensive as well as to strengthen the research and production location. This is particularly important against the background of the increasing financial requirements and international competition, as can be seen in the report of the BM for work, economy and energy

With the planned provision of 5.2 billion euros, an increase in the course of the federal government's economic measures, the research conditions in Austria are to be further improved. In the area of ​​key sectors, such as life sciences, targeted measures are to be taken to increase competitiveness and promote innovative approaches. This is part of the broad goal of the FTI strategy, which not only aims at competitiveness, but also to the social benefits of research.