A willingness to invest, entrepreneurial spirit and a dynamic research scene: companies benefit from a 14% research tax credit and numerous direct research funding programmes.
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A tradition of innovation
in Austria
Austria ranks among the “strong innovators” in Europe.
The circuit board, battery, turbine or sewing machine are just a few examples of Austrian ingenuity. Many Austrian innovations have radically changed research and technology and our everyday lives as well as revolutionising or even creating the market in the first place. Austria's innovative strength continues unabated. The country ranks eighth among EU member states in the European Innovation Scoreboard, putting it in the category of "strong innovators." Austria is even rated first when it comes to intellectual property. No other country registers as many patents, trademarks and designs in relation to its GDP.
Intellectual assets TOP 10
Small country,
large-scale research funding
Austria combines direct and indirect funding, which is unique in Europe. In an EU comparison, Austria ranks third with a research ratio of 3.26%.
Companies can apply for direct funding for their research projects via the relevant programme offered by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).The 14% research tax credit can be claimed for the costs not covered by these programmes, regardless of the firm’s size, sector or corporate structure. This applies to both in-house and contract research.
Gross expenditure on R&D (% GDP) TOP 10
International talents
The world’s highest quality of life makes Austria an attractive location to work for international researchers.
Additional support is provided by programmes such as Talente linking researchers and companies, Forschung Austria awards scholarships to researchers from abroad and the Austrian Science Fund FWF provides assistance at the interface between basic and applied research. Furthermore, researchers who move to Austria benefit from attractive tax advantages.
Innovative companies meet top international experts and scientists in Austria
In addition to a strong research community in the higher education sector, non-university research facilities enjoy a worldwide reputation. They work hand in hand on practical high-tech innovations, for example in the fields of microtechnology and quantum computing.
Great importance is also attached to the collaboration between companies and research institutions. International firms profit from “open innovation.” The 47 competence centres set up within the context of the Competence Centres for Excellent Technologies (COMET) funding initiative are home to such business and science partnerships. Examples include the Austrian Center for Medical Innovation and Technology and the Research Center Pharmaceutical Engineering in Graz.
Success Stories
Boehringer Ingelheim RCV
Favourable conditions such as the high availability of skilled workers and the “unique” research tax credit has led Boehringer Ingelheim to repeatedly expand its business operations in Austria, most recently with a new biopharmaceutical production facility to be built at a cost of € 1.2 billion.
The entire Success Story is available here.
Austria has emerged as a centre for research and biotechnology. The required support is provided by political decision makers and a suitable framework also exists.
Our services
We simply get it done – for you!
Are you looking for cooperation and research partners? Or do you need an overview of which funding is available? We will introduce you to companies and research centres and filter out the best funding options for you.
