Ad Coalition negotiations: Research funding is an investment in Austria’s future

The next federal government faces major fiscal challenges. Austria is expected to implement considerable austerity measures over the next few years. FORWIT warns against cutting back on investments in research and innovation, as they will ensure value creation and prosperity in the future.

Investments in research and innovation are investments in Austria’s future

We must not jeopardise the enormous impact of research funding on national and European value creation now.
Thomas Henzinger

FORWIT is keen to ensure that political decision-makers distinguish between expenditure and investment when it comes to the expected budget cuts. ‘Funding for research and innovation is demonstrably an investment in the future of our global competitiveness and thus in our prosperity of tomorrow. We must not jeopardise the enormous impact of research funding on national and European value creation now,’ appeals Thomas Henzinger, Chairman of FORWIT. Most recently, IHS Director Holger Bonin also explicitly excluded research from the necessary cost-cutting measures.

In its recommendation for STI policy in the new legislative period presented in September, FORWIT outlined which measures could have a targeted effect. In the area of research funding, the Council considers the extension and further development of the Future Austria Fund (FZÖ), which expires in 2025, to be essential. ‘With the funds from the FZÖ, it is possible to address emerging developments and thus increase the agility of the national research system,’ explains Henzinger. FORWIT recommends an annual endowment of €200 million for the FZÖ.

Based on its recommendations, FORWIT also calls on the next Federal Government to play an active role in shaping a strong, effective EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10). This is essential for Europe’s competitiveness in the world. FORWIT recommends a budget of €200 billion for FP10.

In terms of programme, the Council believes that the next Federal Government should set itself the goal of achieving a research quota of 4% by the end of the legislative period. This is not only a guarantee for Austria’s future viability, says Henzinger. ‘It is also an excellent investment, because every euro invested in research and innovation returns many times over in revenue.’

Negotiate next STI Pact swiftly, develop roadmap for STI strategy after 2030

My fellow council members and I are ready to tackle these pioneering tasks with the next federal government in a timely manner.
Thomas Henzinger

In order to strengthen the effectiveness of STI measures, research funding instruments should not be increased uniformly, but rather developed further in a targeted manner. Rapid action is therefore required to draw up the STI Pact 2027-29 and, before the end of this legislative period, to develop the key objectives and groundbreaking steps for the next STI strategy after 2030. ‘It is FORWIT’s legal mandate to advise the federal government on the design of the STI Pacts and to support it in the development of a new STI strategy. My Council colleagues and I are ready to tackle these pioneering tasks with the next federal government in a timely manner,’ concluded Henzinger.