Austria’s Quantum Austria funding initiative officially opened for submissions on November 26, 2021, according to the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). Researchers, universities, non-university research establishments, and companies operating in quantum research and technologies could begin applying through either the FFG or the Austrian Science Fund (FWF). FFG submissions opened from December 15.
Around €39 million was available in the first call for proposals at the FFG, covering flagship projects and other R&D infrastructure investments. The FWF allocated approximately €30 million of the total Quantum Austria budget for basic research projects, accepting applications through its Principal Investigator Projects and Erwin Schrödinger fellowship programs.
FFG Managing Director Henrietta Egerth noted that the funding instruments offered “a tailor-made solution for local stakeholders along the axis of innovation.” FWF President Christof Gattringer said the collaboration between FWF and FFG would “improve the chances of researchers from Austria establishing themselves at a top international level.” Leading quantum experts were involved in the initiative’s implementation through an international Scientific Advisory Board.