Major investment in the life sciences and pharmaceutical location of Austria

The research funding programme Austrian Life Sciences is designed to advance applied research conducted in the business location of Austria. Life sciences and pharmaceutical companies are supported in their R&D activities along the entire development path. On balance, € 50 million has been made available for the programme. Eleven projects with funding of € 11.5 million were already approved in 2022.

About € 40 million is still available in 2023 for other projects. This initiative will strengthen the Austrian business, research and production location and reduce dependencies on suppliers.

Austria features a broad-based, well-positioned life sciences and pharmaceutical sector. About 1,000 companies operate in the sector, generating record revenue of € 25.1 billion in 2020. On balance, life sciences accounts for more than 7% of Austrian GDP, and is one of the country’s most important employers, with a workforce of more than 60,000 people.

Austrian Life Sciences targets companies and players in university and non-university research as well as universities of applied sciences. Funding is designed for research projects devoted to the development of medical products and pharmaceuticals as well as digitalisation in the healthcare sector.

Learn more about the Life Sciences sector in Austria

planqc: "Austria offers enormous advantages due to its excellent research landscape in quantum physics"

The German quantum computing startup planqc really took off in 2024, winning major contracts and investors. In this interview, CEO Alexander Glätzle reveals what he appreciates about the company’s new facility in Innsbruck and the key role that the well-developed infrastructure for research and development there plays in the company's success.

From research to practical application: Quantum technology in Austria

Research institutions and companies are driving the development of quantum technologies in Austria, thereby strengthening the country's leading role as a business location. Initiatives such as Quantum Austria, featuring € 107 million in investments to strengthen the quantum technology ecosystem, are making an important contribution to this.

Austria in the fast lane in quantum technology

From ambitious startups to extensive government funding programmes: Austria is a promising business location for innovative companies and investors in the field of quantum technology. This enables progress and sustainable growth, a fact which is also demonstrated by successful young companies such as ParityQC, qtlabs and planqc.