No matter whether it be city, state, science center, school or on social media – the FWF supports researchers who seek out innovative new ways of communicating about science to the tune of up to €50,000. Researchers from all disciplines have until 12 September 2019 to submit proposals for projects that successfully communicate science and research to the Science Communication Programme (WissKomm).

Those who have visions don’t need to see a doctor, but rather the FWF. Starting in October, the 1,000 Ideas Programme of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) helps researchers to turn their unconventional, bold and visionary research ideas into reality.

About 450 guests joined this year’s two Wittgenstein Award winners and six START Award winners at a gala event at Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts (MAK) to celebrate outstanding research. The highlight of the evening, which was hosted by Lisa Gadenstätter, was the presentation of Austria’s top science awards to the eight laureates.

The FWF’s international expert jury confers the Wittgenstein Prize 2019 on the historian Philipp Ther and the microbiologist Michael Wagner. The jury selected the two top researchers from the University of Vienna from among 24 nominees. They will receive grants of 1.5 million euros each to enable them to further develop their cutting-edge research activities.

The FWF is stepping up its cooperation with its partner organisations in Poland, Slovenia and the Czech Republic. During the START/Wittgenstein Awards ceremony, the presidents of the four funding agencies signed an agreement on expanding the project funding opportunities for researchers from the four countries.

scilog is a showcase for the world of basic research. The online magazine reports on FWF-funded individuals and projects and discusses issues concerning the future of scientific research.