Clinical Research
Target group
Proposals can be submitted by any suitably qualified researcher working at or cooperating with a clinic in Austria, who has sufficient working capacity and access to the infrastructure needed to carry out the proposed research.
Funding goals
Eligible for funding are projects in the field of non-commercial clinical research with clearly defined objectives and methods and subject to duration and funding limits. Commercial organizations may not have a direct commercial interest in the results. The studies must involve patients or animal patients and/or healthy test subjects or animals and the aim must be to generate new scientific knowledge and insights to improve clinical practice or optimize diagnostic or therapeutic procedures.
Funding period and funding amount
- Maximum 48 months
- Depending on the proposed research, project-specific funds (personnel and non-personnel costs) can be applied for. The number of reviews required depends on the amount of funding requested.
Prerequisites
- Applicants must have the academic qualifications needed to lead the proposed research project
- Project to be carried out at an Austrian research institution with the necessary infrastructure
- Applicants must be able to show that they have conducted suitable previous work related to the proposed studies.
- A positive opinion or confirmation of fundamental approval from the ethics committee responsible must be provided at the time of submission. This does not apply to clinical trials pursuant to the Austrian Medicines Act (Arzneimittelgesetz, AMG).
- For further details, please see the application guidelines.
Approval
- Decided by the Scientific Board based on an international review process
- Five approval meetings per year
- Co-financing option with the Matching Funds initiative
Application information
Rolling submissions using the online application portal elane
Funding institution
Austrian Science Fund (FWF)
Submissions
Rolling
Inquiries and contact
Mag. Anna Dickermann
anna.dickermann(at)fwf.ac.at
+43 676 83487 8218
Why do we need a sustainability statement? What is it good for?
It’s important to the FWF to facilitate sustainability in its funding activities, including the implementation of FWF-funded research projects. The aim is to raise awareness of ecological aspects in the implementation of research projects.
Does the sustainability statement have to be related to the topic of my research project (e.g., research on sustainability)?
No, the statement is exclusively about reflecting on the ecological sustainability of the research process, not about the research topic itself.
Do I have to comment on all the topics mentioned in the orientation guide?
No. The orientation guide is only intended to provide suggestions. Address only those topics that are relevant to your research or discipline.
Should the sustainability statement also address other sustainability dimensions in the research process (social sustainability, economic sustainability)?
No, please address only the ecological sustainability of the research process.
Should the sustainability statement cover all of my research institution’s activities in the area of environmental sustainability?
No, the focus is on your own research work. You can add links to any existing measures at your institution (e.g. your research institution’s sustainability strategy or information on sustainability, travel guidelines, or procurement guidelines on your research institution’s website), but this is not required. Your sustainability statement may not exceed 1 page in length.
Can the sustainability statement be shorter than 1 page?
Yes, there is no minimum length.
My planned research includes no relevant environmental sustainability aspects. What should I do?
If there are no ecologically relevant aspects in the research process, please write “Does not apply” in your statement.
Will I receive additional funding from the FWF if I make the research process sustainable?
No, no additional funds are being granted for sustainable measures. However, the FWF’s current guidelines already do include funding for sustainable working practices (e.g., repairing equipment, sustainable modes of travel).
Do reviewers receive the sustainability statement for review?
The FWF introduced the sustainability statement in the fall of 2025 and will evaluate it after a pilot phase lasting several months. During the pilot phase, the statement is not subject to assessment by reviewers. Once this evaluation has been completed, reviewers will be asked specifically about sustainability statements and they will be included in the overall review of the application.
Does the FWF fund the repair of equipment?
If project-specific equipment is required that is available at the research facility but in need of repair, funding for repair can be requested instead of funding for a new purchase. The following applies: The equipment must not be part of the research facility's infrastructure and therefore not be used for other purposes. Furthermore, the FWF funds the purchase of refurbished/used equipment. In principle, the FWF only funds project-specific equipment if no comparable equipment is available within a reasonable distance.