The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)

The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is Austria's central national funding institution for applied research and development. Established to strengthen Austria's innovation landscape, the FFG acts as a "one-stop shop" for research funding, supporting a wide array of projects from basic research to market launch. Its primary mission is to boost the competitiveness of Austrian companies, research institutions, and universities by providing financial support and strategic guidance for their R&D initiatives. The FFG plays a crucial role in implementing national and international research policies, fostering collaboration, and driving technological advancement across various sectors.

The FFG offers a comprehensive portfolio of funding programs tailored to different stages of research and development and various types of organizations. These programs include "Basisprogramme" (Basic Programs) for individual projects, "Thematische Programme" focusing on strategic areas like digitalization, energy, mobility, and life sciences, as well as international and structural programs. The agency primarily provides non-repayable grants, which can cover a significant portion of project costs. For companies, the funding rate can be up to 60% of eligible project costs, while research institutions can receive up to 80% of their costs covered, depending on the program and project type.

The scale of FFG's operations is substantial, reflecting its pivotal role in the Austrian innovation ecosystem. In 2022 alone, the FFG approved over 4,000 projects, demonstrating its broad reach and commitment to fostering innovation across the country. The total funding volume managed by the FFG in 2022 reached an impressive EUR 1.14 billion. While FFG does not provide venture capital in the traditional equity investment sense, its grants serve as vital early-stage and growth capital for R&D-intensive ventures. For individual projects under its "Basisprogramme," the FFG typically supports initiatives with total project costs ranging from EUR 50,000 to EUR 10 million, translating into grant amounts that can range from approximately EUR 30,000 for smaller company projects up to EUR 6 million for larger, more ambitious R&D endeavors. This substantial financial backing enables Austrian entities to pursue high-risk, high-reward research and bring innovative products and services to market.