It is therefore important that universities of applied sciences are now more clearly reflected in future federal research strategies and funding instruments.

On the occasion of the presentation of the Research and Technology Report 2022 in the National Council, the Austrian University of Applied Sciences Conference (FHK) once again emphasises the great importance of universities of applied sciences for Austria as a location for research and science. Universities of applied sciences stand for application-oriented research and teaching, the output of which is directly transferred to the economy and society and has an impact there. Evidence of this can be seen in the approximately 2,000 research collaborations per year with partners from industry and business, the high proportion of collaborations with the SME sector (around 50% of all collaborations) or the 50 or so spin-offs or start-ups that emerge from research projects every year. Around 80 UAS degree programmes are currently thematically assigned to the "Green Deal" or the areas of environment, sustainability and global challenges. Around 240 funded research projects currently being carried out at universities of applied sciences fall into these areas.

It is high time that the universities of applied sciences sector was recognised for its importance as a key pillar of R&D. Sustainable research funding from the Ministry of Science is needed to ensure the unity of research and teaching at universities of applied sciences. This will benefit Austria as a centre of research, as demonstrated by the many innovations that emerge from the universities of applied sciences through R&D.

"It is impossible to explain to researchers at universities of applied sciences why their contribution is not supported and why there is no sustainable public funding for their research. This must finally change," explains Ulrike Prommer, President of the FHK.

In preparation for the next development and financing plan for universities of applied sciences, the FHK has submitted a financing model for future continuous research funding for universities of applied sciences to the Ministry of Science. "We very much hope that our proposals will be listened to and taken into account in the next planning period," concludes Prommer.