The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) supports the advancement of Austrian science and basic research at a high international level. To ensure quality, funding programs and processes are regularly evaluated. This project forms part of that ongoing quality assurance system. As a continuation of previous studies from 2004 and 2013, the online survey provides updated insights into the opinions and attitudes of the scientific community regarding various aspects of the FWF and the broader Austrian research landscape. The 2025 survey focuses on the working conditions of postdocs, both in general and specifically within FWF-funded projects.
Fieldwork took place in May and June 2025.
The scientific community in Austria that is potentially eligible to apply to the FWF comprises a total of around 20,000 researchers. Of these, n=3,368 researchers participated in the survey and shared their experiences and assessments. The responses reflect perspectives from 40 different university and non-university research institutions.
Notes on Methodology
