Target group
FWF programs are aimed at highly qualified researchers from all disciplines who can contribute to the advancement of science at Austrian research institutions. 
The regulations set out in the application guidelines for the individual funding programs generally apply to applications submitted from abroad.

The principal investigator(s) or consortium members (in collaborative programs) must contact the Austrian research institution where the project is to be carried out prior to submitting the application to clarify any research institution-specific requirements.

The FWF differentiates between two funding modes in the administration of its funding programs:

• PROFI mode: Funding is provided through the research institution, i.e. the research institution is formally responsible for submitting the application and, if approved, is also the contractual partner. 
• Ad personam mode: Funding is provided directly to the principal investigator.

PROFI programs
The following programs are adminsitered in PROFI mode: 

Principal Investigator Projects, 1000 Ideas, ESPRIT, START, and all collaborative programs: Special Research Areas, Research Groups, doc.funds, doc.funds.connect, #ConnectingMinds, Clusters of Excellence, Emerging Fields

Unless otherwise specified in the respective application guidelines, the rules for applying from abroad provided below also apply to these programs. 

Generally speaking: The principal investigator(s) or consortium members (in collaborative programs) must be employed at the Austrian research institution applying for funding (lead research institution) at the time the project is scheduled to begin. Their salary is paid either by the research institution or by the project as a grant-salaried researcher (if the funding program offers this option). Information on the extent of employment and other conditions can be found in the individual application guidelines. 

The following applies to most PROFI programs: Principal investigators and consortium members (in collaborative programs) who are predominantly working abroad during the project may only act as principal investigators or consortium members if they are already employed at the Austrian research institution applying for funding at the time of application and for the entire duration of the project. The extent of employment at the Austrian research institution not funded by the FWF must be at least 25%. Some special requirements usually apply for coordinators (in collaborative programs); please see the individual application guidelines. 

Before submitting an application, it is recommended to contact the respective specialist department or program manager for a consultation.

Ad personam programs
The following programs, which will be gradually switching to PROFI mode by the end of 2023, are currently still being administered in ad personam mode: 

Elise Richter, Elise Richter PEEK, Erwin Schrödinger, International Programs, Clinical Research, Arts-Based Research, Peer-Reviewed Publications, Stand-Alone Publications, Top Citizen Science, Science Communication

In order to be eligible to apply for funding from these programs, researchers must either have an employment contract with an Austrian research institution or fulfill the requirements of the territoriality principle. 

The territoriality principle is fulfilled if either the researcher’s main residence has been in Austria for at least three of the past ten years at the time of application, or if the applicant has been working continuously as a researcher in Austria for at least two consecutive years preceding the submission of the application.

Grant-salaried principal investigators

• If the requirements of the territoriality principle are fulfilled, applicants can submit proposals to all ad personam programs where funding of the principal investigator’s salary can be requested, and to all programs that automatically include the principal investigator’s salary in the funding amount. 
• If the requirements of the territoriality principle are not fulfilled, applications as a grant-salaried principal investigator are usually not possible (see also Information on funding the principal investigator’s (PI’s) salary (pdf, 76KB)). In the PEEK program, however, the territoriality principle does not apply. Specific exceptions to the territoriality principle are outlined in the application guidelines for the Elise Richter and Elise Richter PEEK programs. 

Principal investigators’ salary financed by the research institution where the project is to be conducted

• Appointments to an Austrian research institution: 
  Researchers who already have a fixed appointment or employment commitment from an Austrian research institution can apply for all FWF programs before officially taking up their duties. The application should be timed to allow the project to begin with the official commencement of employment.
• Researchers with a 25% part-time employment contract with an Austrian research institution may be eligible to apply for funding from the Clinical Research program and international programs (subject to prior approval from the FWF). 
  Researchers with a genuine part-time employment contract (extent of employment: at least 25%) at the time of application which is not funded by the FWF and which is guaranteed for the planned duration of the project are eligible to apply for funding. Before submitting an application, researchers are required to submit evidence of such employment and a brief description of the project, including a plan for its execution, information on the researcher's presence on site, rules of representation, etc., for approval by the FWF. Before submitting an application, it is recommended to contact the respective specialist department or program manager for a consultation.
• Special conditions apply to the Peer-Reviewed Publications, Stand-Alone Publications, Top Citizen Science, and Science Communication programs, where additional requirements must be met in order to apply. These conditions are described in the individual application guidelines.