Further expanding research expertise and competitiveness in Austria

"We are very pleased about the renewed call for proposals for the FFG's COIN development programme "UAS research for the economy". This programme has established itself excellently at universities of applied sciences in recent years and has become an important pillar of research funding. Universities of Applied Sciences can fully develop their strengths in application-oriented research here and, together with their business partners, bring research results directly into application. Programmes such as COIN Aufbau thus make a significant contribution to ensuring competitiveness and advancing Austria towards becoming an "innovation leader" in innovation transfer. Economics and Research Minister Margarete Schramböck has recognised that the universities of applied sciences have a key role to play here. She deserves our thanks and recognition for this," says FHK President Ulrike Prommer.

The successful participation of universities of applied sciences in funding programmes such as COIN-Building has led to the development and expansion of research expertise at universities of applied sciences. However, research resources that have been built up as part of these programmes are only ever funded until the end of a project term. This results in a funding gap until the next project funding is obtained. As a result, successful research groups have to be dissolved. FHK President Ulrike Prommer comments: "The universities of applied sciences lack interim funding here, which would be important to secure the application-oriented research competences of the universities of applied sciences for Austria in the long term. Sustainable funding is also necessary to ensure the quality of teaching at universities of applied sciences in terms of scientifically sound vocational training. We will therefore advocate for sustainable research funding in the negotiations with the Ministry of Science (BMBWF) on the next development and funding plan (FH-E+F plan from 2023)."