Science is called upon to contribute to ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable development in many ways: by producing research findings and innovations for a future worth living, by engaging in and expanding the dialog with society, and by acting sustainably itself.
For this reason, the FWF has drawn up a Sustainability Strategy, which is available for download. With this strategy, the FWF is pursuing the goal of systematically anchoring sustainability in the funding system and its own day-today work, as well as through the targeted support of thematic projects. The strategy is based on three key pillars: the sustainable implementation of FWF projects, sustainable working practices at the FWF Office, and the targeted funding of projects on sustainability issues with funds from the alpha+ Foundation.
1. Sustainable implementation of projects: Sustainability statement in the funding application
Starting in the fall of 2025, applicants in the funding programs Principal Investigator Projects, Clinical Research, and Principal Investigator Projects International will be required to submit a one-page statement describing sustainability-relevant aspects in the implementation of the submitted proposal (as long as the FWF is responsible for the review process). The aim of this statement is to encourage researchers to reflect on the sustainability of the planned implementation of the research. Costs arising from a sustainable approach can be included in the accounting for the approved funds. Examples of sustainable implementation include:
- Resource-efficient project and experimental design
- Sustainable modes of travel in research projects
- Purchasing refurbished or second-hand equipment
- Sustainable organization of events
Naturally, research institutions also play a key role in the sustainable implementation of research projects, for example in the areas green public procurement, efficient use of core facilities (infrastructure), suitable facilities for maintenance and repair, sustainable use of materials and supplies, and numerous other framework conditions and internal guidelines (travel, events, virtual meeting formats, etc.). The FWF’s guidelines are intended to support research institutions in their efforts to conduct sustainable research.
2. Sustainable working practices at the FWF Office
The FWF Office is committed to a sustainable approach in the administration of funding, in day-to-day office operations, and in the peer review process. This concerns measures in a variety of areas, including:
- Committee meetings, jury and panel meetings, and hearings
- Commuting and business travel
- Paperless office
- Avoiding or reducing waste, recycling
- Procurement and repair
- Events, hospitality
- Energy use in the building
- Social sustainability
3. Funding research on sustainability
Knowledge and innovation are needed to implement effective measures. This is why the FWF offers special subject-specific calls in its funding portfolio in addition to open-topic funding, in which sustainability can be researched in all its dimensions:
- National and international funding priorities on topics such as AI Green or multilateral initiatives like Biodiversa+, FutureFoodS, Water4All, or the Belmont Forum
- Science fundraising specifically for research projects on sustainability (alpha+ Foundation), including the Zero Emissions Award, Austria’s most highly endowed research award for renewable energy and the energy transition
European networks for sustainable research
The FWF is a supporter and co-author of the Heidelberg Agreement on Environmental Sustainability in Research Funding. With this position paper, numerous research organizations, including the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), aim to give ecological sustainability a higher priority in research funding and to cooperate more closely in this area. The Heidelberg Agreement is available for download.