FWF @ Technology Talks: Bringing Excellence and Research Together

How can we attract the best minds in science and research and retain them in the long term? These and other questions will be discussed by leading representatives of the European scientific community at the Technology Talks Austria 2025 workshop “Attracting Excellence: How Can We Succeed in the Competition for Scientific Talent?”: ERC President Maria Leptin, Manuela Baccarini, Vice-Rector of the University of Vienna, Georg Winter from AITHYRA, and FWF START Award winner Juan Pablo Aguilera, TU Wien. The workshop will be moderated by FWF President Christof Gattringer.

August 19, 2025

Portraits of Manuela Baccarini, Georg Winter, Maria Leptin, Juan Pablo Aguilera, and Christof Gattringer — Manuela Baccarini, Vice-Rector University of Vienna; Georg Winter, AITHYRA Institute; Maria Leptin, President European Research Council; Juan Pablo Aguilera, TU Wien; Christof Gattringer, FWF President © derknopfdruecker.com; ÖAW/Daniel Hinterramskogler; João Lima/NOVA FCT; FWF/Ulrich Zinell; FWF/Peter Rigaud

Attracting Excellence: How Can We Succeed in the Competition for Scientific Talent?

September 11, 2025 | 3:00–4:30 pm | Arena 21, MuseumsQuartier Vienna

The workshop will focus on key aspects of competitiveness in international research: What conditions need to be created in Austria to be able to compete globally for scientific excellence? The latest results of the FWF 2025 Researcher Survey provide the basis for an in-depth discussion.

The workshop is part of the Technology Talks Austria 2025, to be held from September 11 to 12, 2025. Technology Talks is the most important technology conference for Austria as a research, technology, and innovation (RTI) location with European visibility. Under the title “Boosting Competitiveness – The Power of Research & Innovation.” debates will focus on the key role of RTI for Europe’s competitiveness in plenary sessions, workshops, and side events.

Technology Talks is organized by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in close cooperation with the Federal Ministries for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI), Women, Science and Research (BMFWF), and Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET), the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV), and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Numerous other partners from science, research, and the public sector are also involved.

Program and tickets