The FWF Science Fund and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, along with the participating research institutions, are continuing their investment in large-scale, collaborative projects across various locations: two additional consortia have been awarded a total funding commitment of 37 million euros from the FWF for the next five years to enhance collaboration in brain research and advance material research. The initial financing tranche from the excellent=austria excellence initiative, comprising nine clusters of excellence and five emerging fields, has been successfully implemented.
The next round of funding has been established under the federal government’s excellent=austria excellence initiative to expand high-level research at universities and non-university research institutions. Following the recommendation of an international jury, the FWF’s Scientific Board of Trustees approved two additional clusters of excellence, which, in addition to the multi-stage decision-making process, successfully completed a fast-tracked procedure. These two approvals conclude the first funding round for the excellent=austria excellence initiative: a total of nine clusters of excellence and five emerging fields will provide a significant boost to innovation in basic research on an unprecedented scale. The total investment made by the FWF to date amounts to 186 million euros, involving hundreds of researchers across 24 research sites throughout Austria.
A map featuring all Clusters of Excellence and Emerging Fields can be found here: excellentaustria.fwf.ac.at
Science Minister Martin Polaschek and FWF President Christof Gattringer Offer Their Congratulations
“With the Excellence Initiative, we have set new standards in funding basic research, in partnership with the FWF. The two new Clusters of Excellence in brain research and circular economy enhance Austria’s status as a research hub in critical future sectors and contribute to the international competitiveness of Austria and Europe. For this purpose, the BMBWF is allocating 37 million euros through the FWF,” says Education, Science and Research Minister Martin Polaschek.
“Austria’s clusters of excellence are vital to society as they establish the groundwork for future scientific advancements. These substantial investments provide top researchers with the opportunity to strengthen their areas of expertise and deliver long-term innovations in sustainable technologies and medicine. They focus not only on scientific excellence but also emphasize training, communication, and knowledge transfer,” states FWF President Christof Gattringer.
Two New Clusters of Excellence at Research Institutions Across Four Federal States
Researchers from nine universities and non-university research institutions are collaborating in the two new clusters of excellence: the IMBA – Institute for Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), the Medical University of Innsbruck, the Medical University of Vienna, and the University of Vienna in the Cluster of Excellence for Brain Research; and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna, the Technical University of Graz, the Technical University of Vienna, the University of Graz, and the University of Vienna for research on sustainable material cycles. Each cluster involves teams of more than 100 scientists collaborating over five years.
Focus on Brain Research and Sustainable Material Cycles
Austria’s upcoming clusters of excellence aim to advance basic research at the highest scientific level in the future domains of brain research and sustainable material cycles. The funding will create long-term structures, attractive conditions, and enhanced international visibility at the participating institutions. A cluster of excellence is defined by the successful integration of cutting-edge research, research-led training, and the promotion of young talent, as well as knowledge exchange nationally and internationally. Moreover, the transfer of knowledge and technology with businesses and society is a crucial component.
Joint Financing with Participating Universities and Institutions
The funding structure of the individual clusters comprises a 60 percent contribution from the FWF Science Fund and a 40 percent share from the participating research institutions’ own resources. Overall, the two clusters of excellence will reach a total investment volume of 62 million euros over the next five years.
The FWF is providing a total of 155 million euros for all nine clusters of excellence during the initial five years. The participating institutions will contribute an additional 104 million euros.
A Glance at Austria’s Next Clusters of Excellence
Excellence Cluster “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease”
Unlocking the Secrets of the Brain
Board of Directors and Research Institutions:
- Tibor Harkany, Medical University of Vienna (Director of Research)
- Francesco Ferraguti, Medical University of Innsbruck
- Peter Jonas, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
- Thomas Klausberger, Medical University of Vienna
- Gaia Novarino, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
- Noelia Urbán Avellaneda, IMBA – Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, OAW
- Manuel Zimmer, University of Vienna
FWF Funding Volume: 21 million euros
The brain is the most complex and advanced organ in the human body. Thus, comprehending brain function is the most challenging scientific endeavor, as it encompasses the quest for understanding consciousness, the “human self,” maximizing performance, and serving as a model for various disciplines that rely on the human brain as a foundation for action models. The mission of the Cluster of Excellence is to achieve a comprehensive understanding of how different types of inhibitory neurons—crucial cellular hubs within every neural network—develop and interact to oversee circuit operations related to behavior and contribute to diseases like schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy. For this purpose, new concepts for personalized drug therapies are being formulated to relieve mental illnesses.
“It is a unique opportunity to unite leading experts in Austrian neuroscience, both from basic and clinical research, to make substantial progress in understanding brain functions and developing therapies for brain diseases within a large-scale project,” said Tibor Harkany, Director of Research, regarding the goals of the Cluster of Excellence.
Cluster of Excellence “Circular Bioengineering”
Sustainably Designing Material Cycles
Board of Directors and Research Institutions:
- Roland Ludwig, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (Director of Research)
- Gunda Köllensperger, University of Vienna
- Wolfgang Kroutil, University of Graz
- Marko Mihovilovic, Vienna University of Technology
- Bernd Nidetzky, Graz University of Technology
- Chris Oostenbrink, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
- Antje Potthast, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
FWF Funding Volume: 16 million euros
Utilizing limited resources to produce consumer goods generates short-term prosperity, but endangers the existence of many living beings in the long term. Therefore, the “Circular Bioengineering” Cluster of Excellence is focused on separating economic growth from resource consumption. Producing platform chemicals and materials from renewable raw materials, alongside their efficient and primarily circular use, facilitates the transition from petroleum-based to bio-based materials. Implementing green chemistry concepts and biotechnological processes offers a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative. This Cluster of Excellence explores fundamental methods and processes to establish a circular bioeconomy and trains a new generation of researchers with the skills necessary to navigate our future.
“We are investigating new eco-friendly methods and processes for producing bio-based chemicals and materials, paying careful attention to their effects on the environment and society to develop the most effective solutions for our future,” explains Roland Ludwig, Director of Research, concerning the new Cluster of Excellence.
All Clusters of Excellence and Emerging Fields at a Glance (updated information will be available soon):
excellentaustria.fwf.ac.at
Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
The FWF Science Fund is Austria’s primary organization for the open-topic funding of basic research and artistic-scientific research. Through an international peer review process, the FWF supports researchers and ideas that are groundbreaking because of their scientific quality. The knowledge gained strengthens Austria’s position as a research nation and lays a strong foundation for better addressing future social challenges.
FWF Science Fund and the Excellence Initiative: Boosting Research in Austria
The FWF Science Fund and the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, alongside participating research institutions, are committed to advancing large-scale cross-location projects. Recently, two further consortia have received a significant funding commitment of €37 million from the FWF to enhance collaboration in brain research and deepen material research. This is part of the excellent=austria excellence initiative, which has successfully launched nine clusters of excellence and five emerging fields.
The Aim of the Excellence Initiative
The Excellence Initiative aims to expand top-level research across universities and non-university research institutions in Austria. Following the recommendations from an international jury, the FWF’s Scientific Board of Trustees has successfully approved two additional clusters of excellence. This sets the stage for a collaborative environment fostering unparalleled innovation in basic research.
Funding Overview
The total investment volume by the FWF to date amounts to €186 million, engaging hundreds of researchers across 24 research sites throughout Austria. A detailed map showcasing all clusters of excellence and emerging fields can be accessed here.
Statements from Leadership
Education, Science and Research Minister Martin Polaschek emphasized, “With the Excellence Initiative, we have established new standards for funding basic research. The new Clusters of Excellence in brain research and circular economy will bolster Austria’s research position in critical future areas, enhancing its international competitiveness.”
FWF President Christof Gattringer commented, “These clusters are essential to societal advancement, laying groundwork for future scientific breakthroughs while fostering the development of sustainable technologies and medical innovations.”
Research Collaboration Across Austria
The two new clusters of excellence bring together researchers from nine universities and non-university research institutions:
- IMBA – Institute for Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
- Medical University of Innsbruck
- Medical University of Vienna
- University of Vienna
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
- Technical University of Graz
- Technical University of Vienna
- University of Graz
Focus Areas: Brain Research and Sustainable Materials
The upcoming clusters will prioritize groundbreaking research in two pivotal areas:
- Brain Research
- Sustainable Material Cycles
The funding will aid in establishing long-term structures, creating favorable conditions, and enhancing international visibility at research institutions.
Cluster of Excellence Funding Structure
The funding structure is composed of a 60% contribution from the FWF Science Fund and a 40% contribution from the participating institutions, culminating in a total investment of €62 million over the next five years for both clusters. The FWF has allocated €155 million across all nine clusters of excellence, with participating institutions contributing an additional €104 million.
A Closer Look at the New Clusters of Excellence
Cluster of Excellence: “Neuronal Circuits in Health and Disease”
Unlocking the Secrets of the Brain
Key Institutions and Directors:
- Tibor Harkany, Medical University of Vienna (Director of Research)
- Francesco Ferraguti, Medical University of Innsbruck
- Peter Jonas, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
- Thomas Klausberger, Medical University of Vienna
- Gaia Novarino, Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
- Noelia Urbán Avellaneda, IMBA
- Manuel Zimmer, University of Vienna
FWF Funding Volume: €21 million
The Cluster’s objective is to unravel how various types of inhibitory neurons develop and collaborate to influence neural circuit functions that underlie behavior, particularly focusing on diseases such as schizophrenia, autism, and epilepsy.
Cluster of Excellence: “Circular Bioengineering”
Designing Sustainable Material Cycles
Key Institutions and Directors:
- Roland Ludwig, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (Director of Research)
- Gunda Köllensperger, University of Vienna
- Wolfgang Kroutil, University of Graz
- Marko Mihovilovic, Vienna University of Technology
- Bernd Nidetzky, Graz University of Technology
- Chris Oostenbrink, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
- Antje Potthast, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna
FWF Funding Volume: €16 million
This cluster focuses on decoupling economic growth from resource consumption, promoting environmentally sustainable methods for utilizing renewable resources in the production of chemicals and materials.
Importance of Circular Bioengineering
The push towards a circular bioeconomy is driven by the need to create sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based products. The Circular Bioengineering Cluster aims not only to devise efficient materials but also to train the next generation of researchers equipped with the skills necessary for a sustainable future.
The Role of the FWF Science Fund
The FWF Science Fund stands as Austria’s leading body for the funding of basic research. Through an international peer-review process, the FWF supports groundbreaking research and artistic-scientific endeavors, reinforcing Austria’s reputation as a formidable research nation and addressing future societal challenges.
