Austria is an active life sciences location with internationally visible, excellent research and development and a growing corporate landscape. Compared to other innovative sectors, the life sciences sector is by far the most innovative, has the highest research rate and contributes significantly to national value creation.
Funding is available for R&D company projects and lead projects in the research categories of industrial research or experimental development, as well as clinical studies. Applications from innovative, competitive companies can be submitted on an ongoing basis until December 18, 2026 at the latest (lead projects until September 9, 2024).

Space technologies are a worldwide market with dynamic growth. Therefore they are very interesting and important for Austria. To support Austrian science and industry to increase their importance in this market, the Austrian Space Applications Programme was initiated, based on a recommendation of the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development.

BRIDGE is funding cooperation between scientific institutes and companies. The research projects should be designed to be close to basic research - however, there should already be a recognizable exploitation perspective. The participating companies must be effectively involved in the project work and, if necessary, make a financial contribution. The funding offer is open to all topics and technologies and is offered on different dates.

The funding of cooperative research projects (sector projects) in Collective Research supports pre-competitive research projects which do not include any directly exploitable product and process or service developments. The funding level is max. up to 65 % of total eligible projects costs. Submission is possible at any time and funding is carried out by non-repayable subsidies.

COMET Centres (K1) aim to develop and focus competences through excellent cooperative research with a medium to long term perspective. They conduct research at top international level and stimulate new research ideas in their fields. Continuous international benchmarking must be ensured. They contribute to initiating product, process and service innovations with a view to future relevant markets.

COMET Projects (peviously K Projects) aim to carry out high-quality research in science - industry collaboration. They are characterised by a medium-term perspective and clearly defined topics with the potential for further development. COMET Projects contribute to initiating product, process and service innovations. COMET Projects open access to the COMET Programme for new consortia and topics.

COMET Centres (K2) aim to focus existing competences and develop new competences by collaborating with international researchers of renown, scientific partners and companies in a joint strategically oriented research programme at the highest level.

The new programme line COMET Module aims to establish promising/emerging fields of research and thus new fields of expertise to strengthen Austria’s position as a research location, preparing for future challenges. COMET Modules are characterised by research of especially high-risk. COMET Modules are thematically defined research areas which carry out excellent top-level research to open up new topics being way beyond the state-of-the-art.

Alongside Horizon Europe COST is one of the most important pillars promoting research cooperation across Europe and beyond. It thus forms an important cornerstone of the European Research Area. COST Actions support thematic networks and facilitate the mutual exchange of ideas. It contributes to an improved coordination of research activities as well as the dissemination of relevant results. COST also provides a valuable opportunity to involve Young Researchers and Investigators in these thematic networks and contributes towards their training and education through tailored activities.

The "Digital Europe Programme", with a total budget of 7,59 billion euros, will help European society and businesses to make the most of the ongoing digital transformation. It will build digital capacities and infrastructures and support the goal of creating a digital single market. It will be implemented mainly through coordinated and strategic co-investment with Member States in the areas of advanced computing and data, artificial intelligence and cyber-security, their uptake and optimal use in the private and public sectors, and the promotion of advanced digital literacy.