Research Organizations Welcome Commitment to University Funding

Heinz Faßmann, ÖAW President: “The ÖAW collaborates excellently with universities in many areas. Together with the University of Vienna and the Vienna University of Technology, we are establishing the Science Center Q; with the universities in Graz, we are establishing the CORI Institute for Metabolic Research; and numerous ÖAW staff members and members hold professorships at the universities. I am confident that the budgetary efforts on all sides will lead to promoting the excellence of the universities with the strongest research programs, taking further steps toward reform, and successfully continuing forward-looking projects.”

Martin Hetzer, President of ISTA: “The continued success of Austria’s scientific system requires both: excellent non-university research institutions and high-performing universities with adequate funding. This is the only way we can ensure our country’s innovative strength, international competitiveness, and future viability. Investments in science and research are therefore investments in Austria’s prosperity and social development. It is an important and positive signal that the intensive search for a long-term, sustainable solution for university funding is now continuing again.”

Christof Gattringer, President of the FWF: “From the FWF’s perspective, the efforts to secure a solid university budget are very welcome. Only with sufficient funding will it be possible to actually implement the ten-year ‘Clusters of Excellence’ program to the planned extent and thus establish forward-looking structures for basic research.”

The Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), the FWF, and ISTA welcome the fact that the federal government has now made science and research one of its priorities. Our country’s prosperity depends largely on their success and effective knowledge transfer. Issues such as addressing the consequences of climate change, an aging population, or the digital transformation can only be solved with the help of science and research. The path to success of the past years and decades must not be abandoned.