Annual Report 2011 Printing Information

annual report 2011 printing information

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2 xxxxxxxxxxxcontents

4 foreword

5 editorial

7 outlook Tomorrow's Global Challenges in an Age Obsessed with the Present – and What that has to do with Education and Research 8

17 the austrian council recommends Recommendations 2011 18

35 creating knowledge What has been Accomplished 36 Reports and Studies 2011 43 International Activities 47

57 events

67 the austrian council Cooperation Agreement with Lower Austria 68 The Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development Awarded EPSA 2011 Best Practice Certificate 68 Review and Outlook: 2011 and 2012 69 Members of the Austrian Council 70 Members of the Secretariat 71

72 c o n t a c t t

3 2011 was a turbulent and challenging tion and thus its international competitiveness foreword year in a number of respects. The hope will more than ever be determined by the strength that the effects of the financial and eco- of our research and innovation system, there is no nomic crisis that erupted in 2008 could alternative to continued investments in the futu- swiftly be brought under control, has sin- re-oriented areas education, research and develop- ce been replaced by the conviction that ment. The Federal Government’s RTI Strategy Europe and the USA will both need considera- can provide a basis for taking appropriate measu- bly longer to overcome the financial turmoil. res and initiatives to set the right priorities and find the investments for the future. This difficult international environment has also made the situation for Austria more com- This latest report on the activities of the Austri- plex. As a result of the steps taken by the Fede- an Council for Research and Technology Deve- ral Government during the immediate financi- lopment shows that the Austrian Council and al crisis, Austria is now much better placed than the responsible government ministries have to- other members of the European Union in ma- gether taken important steps to strengthen Au- ny indicators. Nevertheless, we too have to ma- stria as a centre of RTI and to push ahead with ke far-reaching cuts in order to consolidate and the process of structural change that has been stabilise the budget. successfully initiated.

At the same time, however, the undisputed need We wish the Austrian Council for Research and to consolidate the budget makes it all the more Technology Development every success in the imperative to adopt a course that will safeguard coming year as it carries out the tasks that are so the future of our country and that of future ge- important for the future of the Austrian research nerations. As Austria’s quality as a business loca- and innovation system.

Doris Bures Dr. Maria Fekter Minister of Transport, Minister Innovation and Technology of Finance

Dr. Reinhold Mitterlehner Dr. Karlheinz Töchterle Minister of Economic Affairs, Minister of Science Family and Youth and Research

4 We will all have to work very hard! Education, research and innovation are increa- succeed in making structures in Austria editorial singly becoming crucial factors in economic more efficient – e.g. by abolishing the competition. The future of a country is already Hacklerregelung (which allows long-term largely determined by its innovative power and contributors to the state pension system to ability to use its talent potential. Austria, too, retire much earlier than the statutory age) cannot escape this development if it wishes to and the like – and investing the resources in preserve its high standard of living and prospe- education, research and innovation, our coun- rity in the medium and long term. try can establish itself as a highly innovative lo- With a GERD-to-GDP ratio of 2.79 percent in cation with the best possible conditions for ex- 2011 and a strong culture of cooperation bet- cellent science and research and catch up ween science and industry, Austria has success- with the group of innovation leaders. fully positioned itself as a good place for inno- The Strategy for Research, Technology vation, especially in the years 2000 to 2007. and Innovation of the Austrian Federal While it is understandable that the outbreak of Government presented in March 2011 the international financial and economic crisis is a first and important step in this re- in 2008 slowed down this positive development, gard. While the analyses and findings the trend must now be reversed as quickly as of the Strategy are very convincing, possible to allow Austria to retain its position greater courage now needs to be shown in among the front-runners. developing suitable measures – and above In other words: We must now quickly overco- all, a secure financing commitment – if it is to me the current stagnation and regain or even be implemented successfully. To ensure plan- Hannes Androsch Chairman of the strengthen the dynamism that characterised the ning certainty both for investments from busi- Austrian Council early years of this millennium in the area of re- ness, and for the various research institutions, search and development. While this does requi- a solid development of the financing inputs re more money, it is above all a matter of using must be guaranteed. This should be done the resources properly. The duplication and frag- by drafting and adopting the law on re- mentation that exist in many areas must there- search financing announced by the Go- fore be eliminated, as must abuses so that the vernment. money that is freed up is available for sensible investments in education, science, research and Austria faces important decisions innovation that will safeguard our future. This that will determine the future is also an essential prerequisite for generating the The mistakes of the past that led both to economic growth that is necessary to safeguard structural weaknesses and to our budget dif- jobs and our prosperity. ficulties are now forcing us to make the neces- Peter Skalicky sary corrections so that the next decade does Deputy Chairman of the Understanding the crisis as an opportunity not become a lost one. This firstly requires the Austrian Council The current European debt crisis is a challenge, ability – and also the willingness – to think in but it also presents an opportunity to imple- the long term. It then subsequently requires the ment long overdue structural reforms, also and courage to act. particularly in Austria. Comparable countries In view of this fact, the most urgent task of the such as Switzerland, Finland and Sweden have Austrian Council for Research and Technology already taken crucial steps in this direction and Development is to identify and demand from as a result have been able to significantly impro- those in positions of responsibility the imple- ve their positioning in the recent past. If we mentation of measures that are necessary to im-

5 prove and further develop the Austrian ning state, but in terms of the quality of the fra- editorial research system. The aforementioned mework conditions that it provides. research financing law is just one point One thing is certain. Without highly educated here, but a particularly important one. people, without an excellent research perfor- On the whole, the structure of the research mance and broad-ranging innovation activities, system should – like all other areas – be go- without courage and a willingness to take risks, verned by the principle: as much state interven- we will not be able to meet the challenges that tion as needed and as much freedom – in the face us at present - nor those that arise in the fu- sense of individual responsibility and initiative ture. Austria will have to work hard if it is to – as possible. This requires a strong state, but not keep up with global changes and not fall back in the sense of an all regulating and all determi- into mediocrity.

The members of the Austrian Council (from left to right)

Markus Hengstschläger, Karin Schaupp, Gi-Eun Kim, Renée Schroeder, Marianne Hilf, Peter Skalicky, Gabriele Ambros, Hannes Androsch

6 outlook On the challenges presented by tomorrow’s world in an age outlook that is obsessed with the present – and what this has to do with education and research.

The best way to predict the future is to create it! Willy Brandt

The true art of politics is the art of winning people’s support for a good cause even when the pursuit of that cause may interfere with their particular momentary interests. Václav Havel

Current state of affairs nisation via future Internets, transnational co- Infant mortality is falling all over the world, operation, materials science, alternative energy, while life expectancy is increasing. At the same cognitive science, inter-religious dialogues, syn- time malnutrition among children in Africa thetic biology, and nanotechnology continue and Asia is rising, and industrialised nations and converge over the next 50 to 100 years, it are facing massive problems in financing their is easy to imagine a world that works for all.”1 healthcare and pension systems. Although we So how can we manage to confront these chal- have been spared the nuclear war between world lenges successfully? powers that was so feared in the era of the Cold War, the number of terror attacks and other A brief look back violent crimes is growing. And while we are be- Just over twenty years ago, right after the col- coming ever more mobile, the resulting CO2 lapse of the Soviet Union, the fall of Commu- emissions are increasingly having an adverse nism in Europe and the reunification of Germa- impact upon the climate. ny, some people were already talking about the Overall, it seems that the world is caught up in “end of history”2, and the idea of a united world a mad dash. On the one hand there are more dominated solely by the USA – in both econo- and more opportunities for improving our qua- mic and military terms – became widespread. lity of life and generating prosperity, while on But things subsequently took a different turn. the other, the number of global problems are The terror attacks of 11 September 2001, fol- constantly increasing, as are their extent and lowed by war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the eco- complexity. “2010 State of the Future” puts it nomic crisis persisting since 2008, the Arab succinctly: “If current trends in population Spring of 2011 with its currently unforeseeab- growth, resource depletion, climate change, ter- le consequences in terms of geostrategy and se- rorism, organised crime, and disease continue curity policy and lastly, the nuclear disaster at and converge over the next 50 to 100 years, it Japan’s Fukushima reactor: these are just a few is easy to imagine an unstable world with cata- of the events that have surprised and frequent- strophic results. If current trends in self-orga- ly overwhelmed us. Nowadays intellectuals and

1 Millennium Project: 2010 State of the Future; published by the German Node of the Millennium Projet, Berlin 2010, p. 2 2 Fukuyama, Francis: The End of History? In: The National Interest. Summer 1989

8 politicians no longer debate the hegemony of becoming the rule, and the unexpec- outlook the USA, but its supposed decline as a military ted a recurring event”3. It is above all al- and, above all, economic power, the meteoric ri- so due to the fact that those very chal- se of certain Asian countries, spearheaded by lenges we have identified as shaping the China, and the more than uncertain economic future can hardly be mastered autono- development of Europe in the face of the debt mously, i.e. by individual nations or at a crisis gripping many member states of the Eu- European level, but only on a global scale – or ropean Union. And the earlier boast, “We ha- not at all, for to date we have in fact lacked the ve a future” has nowadays turned into the fear- institutional framework necessary in this re- ful question, “Do we still have a future?”. gard. Alan M. Webber, the former editorial director Climate change can be arguably cited as the of the Harvard Business Review, made the fol- best-known example of global challenges. De- lowing comment during the 2010 Alpbach Re- spite the unambiguous words of the Intergo- form Symposium: “Our world is VUCA: Vola- vernmental Panel on Climate Change of the tile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambivalent”. United Nations in its Fourth Assessment Re- With this he was trying to express the someti- port, stating that there is no doubt about the mes widely diverging, but inextricably linked phenomenon of global warming and that inten- global, regional, national and social tensions of sification of the natural greenhouse effect can this day and age. As regards the constant emer- in all likelihood be attributed to anthropogenic gence of new crises, Nassim Taleb spoke of causes, all efforts to bring about comprehensi- “black swans”. Here he is referring to events ve solutions have to date failed due to the pre- that come about through a change in a single sumed supremacy of the interests of nation system variable and result in unforeseen and states. Yet the very issue of climate change en- above all dramatic consequences for the system tails a whole series of risks, in particular inclu- as a whole. Donald Rumsfeld, former US de- ding those relating to security policy. A shorta- fence secretary, called them “unknown un- ge of water or food or weather-related natural knowns”, speaking of things we do not know we disasters such as flooding or drought may don’t know, but which might at some time be overwhelm instable regimes as regards their ca- important and catch us unawares. pacity to act, result in migration or massively But however we choose to describe the world of harm the economic basis of individual coun- today, it is a fact that in recent years a feeling tries. Competition for resources or a flow of of uncertainty has been growing among many refugees from one region to another are just people where the future is concerned. This gi- two of the most obvious consequences that may ves rise to the question whether we should not occur here and make it imperative to seek ade- abandon our current rational and objective un- quate policy approaches. derstanding of risk to give greater considerati- Only with cooperation between the major play- on to the fact of such uncertainty. ers on the world stage – the USA, China, India, the EU and Russia – will it be possible to find The world no longer boils down to solutions to these problems and many other one common denominator! global issues, for example the question of futu- This constant feeling of insecurity and uncer- re energy supplies, the consumption of raw ma- tainty does not just result from “the unplanned terials or the production of food in the face of

3 Schlie, Ulrich: Wohin entwickelt sich die Welt im Jahr 2012? In: Europäische Rundschau, 2012/1, p. 3

9 an expected increase in the world popu- The Chinese leadership is well aware of these outlook lation to an estimated nine billion by challenges and will try to steer the necessary 20504. Every state is nevertheless asked changes in the right direction. At the same ti- to do its utmost to help here. me most of the key political figures in the Given the need for action it is all the mo- Peoples’ Republic of China are set to change in re worrying that, since 2008, a general fee- autumn 2012. 70 percent of the leadership, i.e. ling of stagnation has become widespread in some 200 members of the Central Committee many European countries and the USA. This of the Communist Party, are being replaced by phenomenon has already been observed in the a new generation of politicians. For the first ti- past: in the states subject to communist rule in me we are being confronted with a leadership the years directly preceding their implosion. that has not been handpicked by Deng Xiao- It is thus high time for us to tackle the many ping. One scenario that might result here: In challenges facing us here, as we do not have contrast to previous years, the formation of dif- boundless time to act. And how quickly things ferent factions along regional, functional and (can) change is demonstrated for example by ideological lines might well bring political un- the staggering economic rise of the Peoples’ Re- rest to the country. This is however not all that public of China in the last 25 or so years. could change. In the case of the two new state leaders who seem most likely to be appointed China – from the workbench – Xi Jinping as President and Party Leader and to a world laboratory? Li Keqiang as Premier – the state may be gover- For over two decades the only way for China’s ned for the first time by Chinese politicians economy has been up, frequently characterised who– unlike their predecessors –can speak Eng- by growth rates of more than ten percent and lish and are well acquainted with the ideas and in a dimension that Europe and the USA could attitudes of the West. then only dream of. At the same time China has Unrest may also make itself felt in the Peoples’ built up dollar reserves to the tune of an unbe- Republic of China in economic terms. Rising lievable USD 3,181,100 million and has me- wages are now afflicting China, which is alrea- anwhile become America’s biggest creditor, so dy seeing production relocate to other countries potentially enabling it to exert massive pressu- where costs are even lower. Growth rates might re on the USA. China has consequently beco- slow down significantly in coming years. In ad- me a major driver behind the global economy, dition, the country could be overtaken by infla- also exercising significant influence on deve- tion, as well as its rapidly ageing population, not lopments in Europe. lastly due to China’s one-child policy. The fact This dynamic growth however comes hand in that both the USA and Europe will be consoli- hand with increasing social, political and geo- dating their budgets by cutting back in the ne- graphical disparity, something that now har- ar future will also impact on China, whose busi- bours great potential for conflict, above all in ness model has until now revolved around ex- conjunction with the growing inequality in ports to Europe and the USA. terms of income and wealth. Nevertheless, the global economy is set to be-

4 United Nations / Department of Economic and Social Affairs – Population Division: World Population Prospects. The 2010 Revision. New York: United Nations 2011

10 come ‘more Chinese’, as Uwe Jean Heuser put Besides occupying a leading position in outlook it in the weekly magazine “Die Zeit”.5 In addi- industrial production, China is thus tion, China is increasingly banking on step- preparing to play a leading role in sci- ping up science and research and in recent ye- ence and research in the future. Britain’s ars has thus already massively increased its Royal Society has predicted that in 2013, spend on both research and investment in edu- the Peoples’ Republic of China might pu- cation. According to the OECD, China’s natio- blish more scientific articles than the USA, and nal expenditure on R&D rose from eleven to UNESCO likewise came to the conclusion that some 154 billion US dollars between 1995 and China will soon have more researchers than any 2009, corresponding to an annual increase of 21 other country. And even if these figures say not- percent. In its outline research plan entitled hing about the quality of such research, it is no- “The National Medium and Long-Term Program for netheless apparent here that the political leaders Science and Technology (2006–2020)” the State of this state are pursuing a specific objective Council of China emphasised that one key fac- doggedly and with a passion. tor that would allow the country to catch up in the field of science and technology was well- A new world order as the result trained staff. And by 2020 the plan is for invest- of the financial crisis ment in “social research” (i.e. not including mi- The emergence of the financial crisis unmista- litary research) to exceed 2.5 percent of China’s kably marked the start of a global process of GDP, with the aim of ensuring that advanced economic rebalancing. Ultimately, the debt cri- technology accounts for over 60 percent of this sis currently affecting the USA and many Eu- figure. ropean countries will beget a “new world order”

Forecast R&D Spending of Selected Countries 2000–2015

600

500 USA China 400 Japan Germany 300 Republic of Korea France US$ bn (ppp) United Kingdom 200 Russia Brazil 100

0 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

Source: The Royal Society; Knowledge, networks and nations. Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century. London: The Royal Society, 2011, Seite 42

5 Heuser, Uwe Jean: China begegnen: Glückwunsch, Peking! Aber noch geben wir uns nicht geschlagen. In: Die Zeit No. 8/2011, 17 February 2011

11 (Philip Coggan), whose final contours youth of today, see themselves as losing out from outlook are not yet really foreseeable, even if we globalisation. can no longer deny certain develop- Dani Rodrik, a Harvard professor specialising ments such as China’s rise to become an in economic development, thus also believes economic power and consequently, a po- that boundless globalisation (“hyper-globalisa- litical force to be reckoned with. tion”) – in the sense of totally free world trade Nor can we deny that Europe is currently groa- and unlimited mobility of labour and capital – ning under the weight of a sovereign debt cri- is incompatible with our traditional concepts of sis that has taken a firm hold in many of its democracy and the nation state6. The starting member states. These countries allowed exces- point for this hypothesis is two observations sive levels of debt to build up for too long, pay- made by Rodrik: firstly, that the state and mar- ing insufficient attention to this situation in ket are not opposing forces, but rather, markets years of continuing economic growth and rising depend on a strong state to ensure they can tax revenues. But confidence has been massive- function properly. And secondly, that there is ly eroded in recent years, and – what is even not just ONE or THE model of capitalism, but more important – it is becoming increasingly various forms which are based on different cul- obvious that levels of debt should not only not tural and historical traditions. be allowed to rise any further, but also that exi- The central problem is as follows: We have in- sting liabilities can probably only be repaid with creasingly globalised markets that depend on a difficulty. Demographic changes, in other global set of rules if they are to function proper- words, our ageing society, result in ever fewer ly in the long term or if they are to function at workers being obliged to pay for an ever increa- all. We however lack a world government to sing number of pensioners, and for ever longer formulate and enforce such rules, not lastly be- periods due to the rise in average life expectan- cause most people would be extremely reluctant cy. Shrinking tax revenues caused by the fall in to endow such a government with the necessa- the number of people in work accompanied by ry powers of democratically organised nation the rising cost of pension and healthcare sy- states. And any transfer of such powers by a na- stems – a calculation that is bound to result in tional government against the will of its citizens a shortfall! This realisation will inevitably (ha- would violate the principles of democracy. ve to) lead to drastic changes in many Europe- We are caught – as Rodrik described it –in a an countries. “political trilemma”: “We cannot simultane- Changes which may well not be accomplished ously pursue democracy, national determinati- without trouble. The riots staged by young on and economic globalisation. If we want to people in England in 2011 might be a foretaste push globalisation further, we have to give up of further outbreaks of violence as levels of youth either the nation state or democratic politics. If unemployment are also worryingly high in ot- we want to maintain and deepen democracy, we her countries. Social tensions have intensified, have to choose between the nation state and in- and it is not just as a consequence of the finan- ternational economic integration. And if we cial crisis that many people, in particular the want to keep the nation state and self-determi-

6 Rodrik, Dani: Das Globalisierungsparadox. Die Demokratie und die Zukunft der Weltwirtschaft. München: C.H.Beck Verlag, 2011

12 nation, we have to choose between deepening vive if they learn to adapt while simul- outlook democracy and deepening globalisation.”7 taneously becoming more robust. In The switch from a bipolar (USA – Soviet Uni- this context we are increasingly hearing on) to a unipolar (USA) and then to a polycen- the keyword ‘resilience’, an expression tric world has become reality. If we are to de- from cybernetics, which describes how a velop a viable system for the future from this, system copes with external interference. it is thus not maximum, but smart globalisati- Such resilience, which is understood here as on that we need here. strength in a crisis or a system’s power of resi- stance – be it ecological or social in nature – de- We will have to learn how to pends on the balance between its inner effi- live with crisis-ridden upheavals ciency and its innovative potential. Systems in If there has been a realisation in recent years, it which a phase of growth is followed by a pro- must be this: The crisis that is manifesting it- tection and maintenance phase run the risk of self as a succession of shockwaves with varying becoming increasingly mired in stagnation if effects and on differing scales has now become they resist internal regeneration. In such a state a permanent state and will probably remain the system merely defends the achieved stan- with us for some time. The extent to which dards, with protection from change prevailing things once taken for granted have now fallen over innovative behaviour. An attempt to gain apart is demonstrated by the upheavals seen in breathing space is made by applying strategies the Middle East and the Maghreb, where an age such as “More of the Same”, but any external of insecurity has only just begun, in addition to shock may bring the entire system crashing the sometimes harsh criticism of capitalism that down, with the shock waves rippling out unhin- was recently heard at the World Economic Fo- dered. The events which for example led to the rum in Davos. fall of the Soviet Union or the collapse of Leh- And even one of the most successful political man Brothers were comparatively unspectacu- undertakings, the European Union, is beset lar. They however struck at systems that were al- with serious problems. Although the EU mana- ready decrepit, over-engineered, bloated and ged to ward off imminent collapse in 2011, it thus extremely vulnerable.8 does not resemble a stable community. What is The most important conclusion from these ex- particularly alarming in this context is the cir- periences is thus: If the resilience of a system is cumstance that the debt crisis of many member to be increased, this calls for a combination of states not only threatens the continued econo- optimism, a solution-oriented approach, wil- mic existence of this unprecedented venture, lingness to accept responsibility and planning but also the very concepts that underpin it. for the future. This means that resilience is first One important insight from these develop- and foremost the task of governance, and it is ments is as follows: In the face of persistent cri- up to governments and managers to intervene, ses advanced societies will only manage to sur- steering growth to marry it with innovation.9

7 Ibid., p. 20 8 Lukesch, Robert / Payer, Harald / Winkler-Rieder, Waltraud (2010): Wie gehen Regionen mit Krisen um? Eine explorative Studie über die Resilienz von Regionen. Study carried out on behalf of the Federal Chancellery, published by ÖAR Regional- beratung. Fehring 9 Ibid.

13 And this is where the significance of tries, have demonstrated this to impressive ef- outlook science, research and innovation comes fect. The first step was massive investment to into play, along with education, the es- ensure the literacy of the population. Only sential basis for all three, as in the con- then, when the better-educated children rea- text of the challenges of today outlined ched the age of maturity, did rapid economic above. growth commence.10 This positive link between education and eco- Education as a “knowledge-based power nomic growth also applies to economically of judgment” is set to become even more highly developed societies, as was recently again important than it already is demonstrated by the Vienna Institute of Demo- Numerous reports and studies have described graphy and the Institute of Mathematical Me- various, mostly dramatic scenarios which might thods in Economics of Vienna University of result should we fail to master challenges such Technology. Their studies illustrate that a fall in as putting smart globalisation into practice, get- the birth rate will not necessarily have an adver- ting demographic change under control, cur- se effect on the economic situation. If however bing global warming or safeguarding a supply such a fall is to have a positive impact on me- of food and water for everyone. However, in all dium-term pro-capita economic growth, the cases the prerequisites for overcoming current prerequisite is major investment in educating and future challenges are EDUCATION, RE- subsequent generations. SEARCH and INNOVATION, even though Wilhelm von Humboldt, who is much-quoted they may prove to be insufficient. in debates about education, defined education The demographer and social statistician Wolf- as “the stimulation of all human faculties so gang Lutz has already demonstrated the social that through the appropriation of the world importance of education in numerous studies – they can unfold ... and lead to a self-determin- i.e. the benefits of education that go beyond the ed individuality and personality”. The issue he- specific individual concerned. Education, parti- re is thus “appropriation of the world” by indi- cularly where women are concerned, is not just viduals to subsequently develop their persona- a means of checking rocketing population lity according their talents and so lead a fulfil- growth in the developing world. Educated people ling life. Education is more than the acquisiti- are on average also healthier and have healthier on of knowledge that allows a person to take up children, while education strengthens the posi- a profession. Restricting the term ‘education’ to tion of women in the family. In addition, the “schooling” or “training” is short-sighted and provision of education for broad sections of the ultimately even risky when it comes to maste- population is a prerequisite for the functioning ring future challenges. of democracy. Democracy is only possible whe- Today’s education system is however largely the re the majority of inhabitants are able to read, so result of the requirements once imposed on inform themselves and express their views. people by farming (the keyword being summer That education is also crucial to economic pro- holidays here) and later on, the Industrial Age. gress is only mentioned here for the sake of It secondly called for people who “functioned” completeness. The Asian Tiger states of Singa- by being able to absorb a certain level of pore, South Korea and Taiwan, which 50 years knowledge in a short time to then put it into ago were even poorer than many African coun- practice.

10 Lutz, Wolfgang: Zukunft durch globale Bildung. In: Der Standard, 13 May 2011

14 There have meanwhile been massive changes in for teachers, generally equipped with the challenges in dealing with life. The pace of little more than a textbook, blackboard outlook life today is constantly accelerating, and our and chalk, to stand before some 25 pu- world is becoming increasingly interconnected, pils, instructing them in a single form uncertain and contradictory. At the same time and at a pace that is the same for one and familiar structures are becoming less important all. This not only shows a lack of imaginati- and are giving way to new forms; one example on, in terms of the opportunities offered by mo- here is the institution of the family. And so it dern technology alone, but is above all – as Ru- is now skills such as self-motivation, self-orga- pert Murdoch put it– “an abdication of our re- nisation, networked, systemic thinking and ot- sponsibility to our children and grandchildren her capabilities that are becoming ever more – and a limitation on our future”.11 important. Yet the realisation that our world and thus the The reluctance to act as the consequence living environment of every individual has in so- of the malaise of our time: an “obsession me respects undergone dramatic change over with the present” the last few decades has left one area virtually un- Given the challenges outlined above, this lack of touched: our schools. The classrooms of today vision and planning, which is prevalent almost have remained more or less exactly as they we- everywhere, is most alarming. In this day and re over a century ago. The usual procedure is still age politics is generally limited to simply dealing

11 Murdoch, Rupert: Bildung ist das letzte Reservat. In: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 8 June 2011

15 with given circumstances and as such, development of the Western world and Japan outlook does not help to improve the resilience since 1945. We are now saturated, want to of society. Here there is little to be seen maintain this – our – standard of living and so in the way of specific objectives for the simply carry on in the same vein. At the same future or suitable positioning as a basis for time we have stopped looking forward, merely giving it concrete shape; there is merely a glancing to one side or the other. In other flurry of activity in the face of disturbance or words, we no longer measure ourselves by our malfunction, with this however merely serving dreams and goals, but just against our to swiftly restore the status quo. neighbours, already being satisfied with kee- In this context the disease of our time was dia- ping “one step ahead”. gnosed by the German philosopher Dieter Tho- Our future is uncertain, and uncertainty is ne- mä as an “obsession with the present”12. We re- ver a pleasant feeling. But our striving to keep main stuck in the present without thinking hold of the present whatever the cost is doomed about the consequences our action or failure to to failure. We must find answers to all the de- act will have for subsequent generations, who velopments and challenges described above – are after all our children and our children’s chil- and sooner today than tomorrow. For whatever dren. For Thomä such nonchalance in relation our obsession with the present, there is one thing to future burdens and risks, due to the heedless we cannot prevent: the future catching up with attitudes seen today, results from the successful us at some time or other – with its full force!

Further literature: Boeckelmann, Lukas / Mildner, Stormy-Annika: Unsicherheit, Ungewissheit, Risiko. Die aktuelle wis- senschaftliche Diskussion über die Bestimmung von Risiken. SWP-Zeitschriftenschau, September 2011 Coggan, Philip: Paper Promises. Money, Debt and the New World Order. London: Allan Lane/Pen- guin Books, 2011 Sieren, Frank: Angst vor China. Wie die neue Weltmacht unsere Krise nutzt. Berlin: Econ Verlag, 2011 Taleb, Nassim Nicholas: The Black Swan. The Impact of the Highly Improbable. London: Penguin 2008 The Royal Society: Knowledge, networks and nations. Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century. London: The Royal Society, 2011

12 Thomä, Dieter: Gegenwartsversessenheit. Versuch über eine folgenreiche Zeitkrankheit. In: Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 9 May 2011

16 recommendations Recommendations for 2011 recommendations Statement regarding “Amendment of the Austrian Universities Act 2002” – Statement dated 16 December 2010

The Federal Government of Austria drew up this can only be realised if all potential degree a proposal for regulating access to higher edu- applicants have adequate access to information cation and submitted this for evaluation. The and study counselling throughout Austria. The Austrian Council for Research and Technology aim here is to ensure that the decision of each Development issued a statement regarding the individual is not unduly influenced by such existing draft of the Federal Government in the counselling. framework of the evaluation procedure for New regulation with a supplementary provi- Amendment of the Austrian Universities Act sion relating to capacity-oriented admission with 2002. The final version was published by the Fe- unusually high demand included in § 124c. deral Government in the Austrian Federal Law The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- Gazette I No. 13/2011 on 30.3.2011. nology Development considers that the Fede- ral Government’s option of restricting Bachelor The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- and diploma degree programmes without con- nology Development welcomes engaging with sulting the universities according to para. (1) re- this issue at a fundamental level. The universi- stricts the right of autonomous governance en- ties are vastly oversubscribed in certain sub- joyed by the latter. jects, and it is no longer possible to guarantee The Council recommends preceding the opti- high quality in relation to the conditions for on defined in para. (2) of limiting the number study, teaching and research, particularly on of university places for first-year students with courses admitting huge numbers of students. an objective estimate of capacity at the relevant The sometimes unsatisfactory conditions in university. The aim here should be the optimi- higher education can be above all attributed to sation of infrastructure and staffing levels. By an insufficient staff-student ratio and inade- introducing a capacity-oriented admission it is quate infrastructure. hoped to improve conditions for students, alt- Excerpt from the statement dated 16.12.2010 hough this must not conflict with the call for in translation: raising levels of education. An increase in capa- The draft of the Federal Act dated 6 December city based on the requirements of society should 2010 contains two additions to the version of be determined in the framework of performance the existing Austrian Universities Act 2002 last agreements. amended by the Austrian Federal Law Gazette It must at all events be ensured that the intro- I Nr. 18/2009. duction of restrictions on admissions still pre- In § 63 para. 1 inclusion of subpara. “6. proof that serves the existence of equal opportunities and the applicant has sought study counselling prior to the conditions for all potential students, whatever beginning of the studies in the case of initial admissi- their social background. on to a bachelor’s or diploma degree programme”; It is in this context that the impact of the de- The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- bated tuition fees should also be seen. The nology Development fundamentally supports Council recommends that special attention is this measure, which will help to ensure that given to ensuring that socially disadvantaged prospective students are better informed. The groups are not excluded from the education sy- Council would however like to point out that stem due to increased charges. This depends

18 on the introduction of an adequate system of nuation of the status quo and as such, student grants which target those in need. It is is not expedient. recommendations counterproductive for a country’s economy to Suitable admission procedures in the hinder access to higher education for certain introductory study phases should be de- sectors of the population on financial or social fined by the universities. The selection grounds. procedures laid down in paras. (3) and (4) Given the inadequate conditions for study and do not reflect the need for objective selection of research at the universities, particularly in the the most suitable first-year students. Calling case of courses admitting huge numbers of stu- for specialist knowledge alone, particularly with dents, the Council calls for an increase in fun- the possibility of performing such selection ding to improve unsatisfactory conditions by prior to admission does not pick out the “best”, optimising student-teacher ratios and upgra- but at most the “keenest” applicants. The main ding infrastructure. objective of the introductory study / orientati- The passage in para. (2) of the draft stating on phase is to offer a guiding hand to first-ye- that “… The minimum number of study places shall ar students. In the Council’s view optimum or- not be below the average number of students of this ganisation of the introductory phases is the best study programme in the five years prior to the determi- way of managing an “influx of students” in a nation of the number” would constitute a conti- manner that serves their interests.

Recommendation regarding the setting up of an Office of Science and Technology (OST) for Chi- na and other Asian regions – Recommendation dated 4 February 2011

Background Agreements governing scientific and technical The Asian countries such as China, India, In- cooperation were concluded with China in donesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan etc. 1985 and with India in 2008. Special mention are becoming a promising science and techno- here should also go to the Joint Declaration logy market, with increasing importance as a with Korea (extended in 2010), cooperation on major business and science partner for all mem- infrastructure and low-carbon urban planning ber states of the EU. The levels of economic (China, 2010) and university and economic growth enjoyed by these countries go far bey- cooperation projects in the form of joint re- ond those of Europe, and ranged between five search centres, joint study programmes and in- and over ten percent in 2009 and 2010. A ra- ternational research programmes under the ae- pidly increasing role in the economic growth of gis of the OeAD/EPU (Eurasia-Pacific Uninet), these newly industrialising countries is played the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the Austri- here by various high-technology sectors. These an Research Promotion Agency (FFG), at the developments have prompted European coun- initiative of the Austrian Economic Chamber tries such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden and (WKO), the Austrian Ministry for Science and Switzerland to intensify their science and tech- Research (BMWF) and the Ministry for Trans- nology links with China, India and other states, port, Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) and particularly those in (Southeast) Asia. And in re- other ministerial departments engaged in R&D. cent years Austrian institutions have also signi- A powerful statement about the links in sci- ficantly stepped up scientific and economic co- ence and technology existing between Austria operation with this part of the world where sci- and China was also made by Austria Tec Week ence and technology are concerned. China in the EXPO fair held in October 2010.

19 As highlighted by the Austrian Govern- to initiate and support research collaboration recommendations ment’s RTI strategy awaiting adoption, between scientific institutions based in Austria it will in future be vital for Austria, in its and Asia, in particular cooperation on applied role as a scientific and economic centre, research with industry, both bilaterally and in to establish technological cooperation pro- the context of EU research and technology in- jects with Asian countries in order to market itiatives under the Framework Programme its technology and manage the transfer of tech- to ensure the networking of researchers at nology. Above all, it is important to obtain ac- university and non university-based top-level re- cess to technology and research institutes and to search institutions and centres of excellence develop contact with leading researchers. from Austria with regions in Asia to actively help Austria’s university institutes Recommendation and research centres to establish contact with To consolidate the numerous national efforts China and countries in (Southeast) Asia and strengthen the country’s presence in Asia the to preselect and supervise students who wish Austrian Council for Research and Technology to continue their studies at an Austrian univer- Development recommends setting up an “Office sity and to undertake a PhD to so allow quali- of Science and Technologyç (OST) for China tative assessment to be made at the relevant and (Southeast) Asia similar to the institutions universities and institutes based in Brussels and Washington in order to re- to cultivate lasting contact with persons repre- present Austria’s scientific and economic inte- senting research and technology policy. rests. The development of such outposts can In addition, the OST supports the work carried help to cultivate links involving scientific ex- out by the ministerial departments and Advantage pertise and economic trade and encourage the Austria – WKO in relation to the following exchange of researchers between different coun- activities: tries on a long-term basis. Implementation to actively help Austrian companies in esta- should make optimum usage of the structures blishing contact with industry, submitting fun- and instruments already in existence here. ding applications and conducting contract ne- The task of these outposts is to deal with coope- gotiations ration projects relevant to science, research and to market Austria as a centre of R&D and to technology between Austria, China and (Sout- offer support with the task of initiating or hand- heast) Asia, specifically: ling attendance at trade fairs.

Recommendation of the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development regarding the financing of university staff in the framework of projects funded by EFRE (European Regional Development Fund – Recommendation dated 24 March

With the subarea of EFRE the Structural Funds blems which lead to uncertainty in acknowled- represent an important source of funding for re- ging the eligibility for funding of university gional research activities. The universities are an staff. The recommendation of the Council con- indispensable partner for such projects and ma- tains clear-cut findings and advises swift clari- ke a key contribution to the country’s innova- fication of the situation, in the interests of Au- tion system through the expertise of their pro- stria as a centre of research, to make participa- fessors and non-professorial university staff. In tion in research projects more attractive in re- its analysis the Austrian Council identified pro- lation to the Structural Funds for universities.

20 Following legal analysis the Austrian Council is from third-party funds and investment inco- recommendations of the opinion that the labour costs of univer- me. These shall remain at the disposal of the sity staff should be recognised as being fully universities and shall not reduce state alloca- eligible for funding. This recommendation tions. prompted Austria’s Federal Chancellery to ex- In the budgeted expenses finance provided amine these issues more closely in discussions by the Austrian government for universities with its Ministry for Finance and Ministry for is designated as ‘expenditure’ and under budge- Science and Research, and this has brought cla- tary law thus does not constitute funding. rity here for the benefit of the staff concerned. § 16 para. 2 of the general funding guidelines for the granting of funding from federal resour- The recommendation in translation: Recommen- ces (ARR 2004) states that without funding from fe- dation of the Austrian Council for Research and Tech- deral resources rendering of the service should not be pos- nology Development regarding the financing of uni- sible or not possible to the required extent. Furthermo- versity staff in the framework of EFRE-funded projects re, §18 of the guidelines makes reference to funding for “the same activity”, whereby the glo- General bal funding cannot be seen as duplicate finan- The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- cing in two respects. Firstly, a funded research nology Development was invited in the course project is an additional activity, and secondly, of the working session of the RTI-Platform Au- the global funding does not constitute funding stria to submit a recommendation regarding and cannot thus encompass the same activity. the problems described below. University staff with teaching and research as one of their defined core tasks are to be exemp- Status quo ted from their normal duties on submission of The eligibility for funding of university staff on the project application to the head of depart- EFRE-cofinanced projects is not recognised by ment and the rectorate and their release under the auditing authority. Here the authority ba- §§ 26, 27 and 28 of the Austrian Universities ses its decision on the national guidelines gover- Act 2002 in accordance with the attached pro- ning eligibility for funding, § 8 (6) and (7) in ject plan, schedule and scope of duties of per- the version dated 14.9.2007). This states that manent and new staff for carrying out the con- public-sector employees – with university staff tent of the project. being specifically mentioned – shall only be re- In its guideline for the handling of project costs cognised as eligible for aid where the duplicate in funding applications and reports for funded charging of public budgets can be ruled out. projects with EU co financing the Austrian Re- Opinions are however divided on the legal in- search Promotion Agency (FFG) makes refe- terpretation of this issue. The main bodies re- rence to § 8 (6) of the national guidelines on eli- sponsible for questions of eligibility for fun- gibility for funding and states in a separate pa- ding are clearly defined in a statement ra.: “University staff shall not be deemed to be public- (VIII/50958) summarised by the Finanzpro- sector employees.” kuratur, the statutory lawyer and legal advisor of Austria. Recommendation The legal nature of the universities has been In view of the available information the Austri- redefined by the Austrian Universities Act 2002. an Council for Research and Technology Deve- § 4 states that the universities are legal entities lopment does not share the opinion of the au- under public law. diting authority and sees no reason for deduc- § 12 (10): The universities shall report their receipts ting university staff from the reimbursable costs.

21 The Austrian Council recommends re- improving quality where it is a question of do- recommendations cognising the cost of university staff as cumenting billed services in the university sec- fully eligible for funding and to also tor. This can be achieved with the successive in- apply this to projects for the ongoing troduction of a cost accounting procedure simi- programme planning period (2007– lar to those used in industry, in particular the 2013). use of all-inclusive timesheets for staff engaged To clarify both the current situation and futu- on a project. re guidelines the Austrian Council for Research The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- and Technology Development recommends de- nology Development considers it advisable for leting the specific designation of “university all players in the process, first and foremost the staff” (UniversitätsmitarbeiterInnen) from the administrative, certification and auditing aut- underlying national regulations and guidelines. horities to come together to agree how to pro- The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- ceed in future and to submit the result in wri- nology Development furthermore recommends ting to the funding applicants concerned.

Further development of the COMET Programme – Recommendation dated 15 September 2011

Background The Council took this as an opportunity to li- The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- kewise consider further development of the CO- nology Development defined the COMET Pro- MET Programme and has now drawn up the gramme as a key element of a strategy for excel- present recommendation. lence from the outset.1 With successful development of the programme by Austria’s Ministry Recommendation for Transport, Innovation and Technology Greater flexibility for structures between the (BMVIT) and the Ministry for Economic Af- programme lines fairs, Family and Youth (BMWFJ) and finan- The programme document provides for the cing of the initial rounds of calls an important bundling of national and international experti- step has now been taken toward the funding of se of scientific institutions and companies on a excellence in the field of cooperative research. long-term basis. Here the K2-centres are clear- A certain amount of experience is now available ly committed to institutionalisation and the since the programme started in 2006 and the long-term development of skills. This is an im- successful establishment of several K-centres.2 portant objective, which is also supported by the Further development of the COMET Program- Austrian Council. me is already under discussion within the frame- However, this may at the same time also make work of the interdepartmental working group the centres of excellence in Austria more rigid as, used by the RTI Task Force to implement the for the time being, the five K2-centres in existen- measures under Chapter 4 of the RTI strategy. ce are fixed institutions. Since the programme

1 In Strategy 2010 the Austrian Council recommended the establishment of new, optimised types of competence centres in continuation of the competence centre programmes Kplus, K_ind, K_net. 2 The FFG has carried out an impact analysis; interim results are already available. The responsible ministries have commissioned an evaluation of the COMET predecessor programme, the results of which are expected for the end of 2012.

22 document states there cannot be any more K2- Contribution to be made by universi- recommendations centres, K1-centres with the potential of deve- ties via performance agreements loping into K2-centres have no possibility what- The programme document states that soever of doing so in the foreseeable future. scientific partners enjoying maximum The Council thus recommends making the funding are to contribute at least five per- structures more flexible between the program- cent to funding of the K-centre. To make me lines and realigning the system with the aim such contribution by the universities more at- of increasing the possible number of K2-centres tractive, the necessary budgetary charges should for K1-centres categorised as excellent. This already be laid down in the framework of the would in principle allow individual K1-centres performance agreements. to develop into K2-centres. The prerequisite he- The Council thus recommends also encoura- re is that on evaluation and interim evaluation ging the universities to contribute to K-centres of the K2-centres special attention is paid to al- – and so to research cooperation projects cate- so linking negative results to the consequence of gorised as excellent– via the performance agree- closing centres down. ments and acknowledging this accordingly. At In the Council’s view the working group set up the very least the contribution made by the uni- to implement the RTI strategy should consider versities should not only be reported as opera- whether it could be made possible for K2-cen- ting expenditure under Self-Funding but also as tres without an extension to continue working external funding from partners in the universi- as a K1-centre. This would also allow it to con- ties’ intellectual capital reports. As this option is sider abolishing the link between the size and li- not currently available, the Council recom- fe of these centres. mends adapting the framework conditions as For the Council the key issue here is to further required in this regard. develop the aspect of competition which, follo- It should moreover be considered how contribu- wing establishment of the available structures, tions to COMET-centres can be basically made has to date tended to focus on competition bet- more attractive for universities. In particular, the ween existing K1-centres and new initiatives. universities should be allowed to disclose their Any additional costs incurred by the state output performance in the framework of a CO- through greater flexibility will be financed by the MET contribution (e.g. publications, service in- necessary increases in GERD as a percentage of ventions, patents) in a transparent manner. In GDP, which are required to maintain the bud- this context it is also important for the provisions get path adopted here and to achieve the 3.76 governing intellectual property rights (IPR) to percent target. give equal consideration to the interests of the universities, industry and the centres themselves.

Recommendation regarding the use of funding from the National Foundation for Research, Tech- nology and Development (NSFTE) for 2012 – Recommendation dated 24 November 2011

Background dance with § 11 para. 1 subpara. 1 of the Au- Based on the resolution adopted by the Board strian act governing the National Foundation for of Trustees on 27 September 2011, the Austri- Research, Technology and Development) to put an Council for Research and Technology Deve- forward a recommendation regarding the use of lopment has once again been invited by the head foundation funding for the year 2012 based on of the National Foundation for RTD (in accor- the applications submitted by the beneficiaries.

23 In times of tight public-sector budgets support for cooperative high-risk/high-gain recommendations the National Foundation acquires spe- initiatives between basic research, applied re- cial significance, which finds expression search and experimental development in the provision of support for long- strengthening of the research infrastructure term, interdisciplinary research (cf. § 2 by focusing on initiatives with relevant critical National Foundation for Research, Techno- mass and risk potential logy and Development Act). The Council has strengthening of venture capital thus reiterated the need for a funding volume excellence in basic research of EUR 125 million, the sum that was original- strengthening of Austria as a site for compa- ly intended when the foundation was set up. nies actively engaged in research. The allocation of funding was carried out accor- Given the considerable disparity between the ding to the strategic significance and socio-po- total funding volume applied for and the foun- litical relevance of the projects submitted and dation resources likely to be available the bene- their categorisation in the global context of Au- ficiaries were asked to prioritise the projects strian research promotion. The following key and programmes submitted. areas were additionally laid down for 2012: Further details of the recommendation made by strengthening of the national human poten- the Austrian Council are given below, whereby tial basis it should be noted that the key areas additional-

Recommendation of the National Foundation for Research and Technology Development 2012 Following detailed examination of the applications, the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development recommends allocating funding for 2012 as follows:

Institution Amount Programme or Initiative in EUR mn. FFG 19.1 BRIDGE and Competence Headquarters FWF 14.1 Priority Programmes (SFB, DK) CDG 4.5 CD Laboratories LBG 4.1 LB Institute for Cancer Research ÖAW 8 Impulse Programme PI Plus and Junior Groups aws 5.2 Venture Capital Initiative Total 55.0

ly laid down for 2012 and the order of priori- lion to the FFG’s BRIDGE programme. To sa- ty provided by the beneficiaries have been taken feguard Austria’s future through research, deve- into account in the discussion. lopment and innovation the programme line In the Council’s view one central, long-term ‘Competence Headquarters’ should receive fun- strategic concern of Austrian research policy is ding amounting to EUR 9.1 million. to improve the interface between science and in- Given the foundation’s current endowment le- dustry in order to translate research results in- vels in 2012 full funding of the FWF key area to marketable products with an economic and programmes by the foundation does not seem socio-political significance. For this reason it re- very realistic. With the aim of supporting the commends offering aid totalling EUR 10 mil- development of areas of excellence for research

24 and teaching at Austrian universities and non an Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) are par- university-based research institutes, they are ticularly aimed at ensuring long-term recommendations making a special contribution to ensuring ex- funding for junior researchers in Au- cellence in the field of basic research. To safe- stria. Given the restricted financial re- guard this key function the Council thus recom- sources of the NSFTE it is only possible to mends endowing the FWF with EUR 14.1 mil- fund part of the projects. The Council the- lion. refore recommends providing financing of EUR The Council attaches great important to in- 8 million to two PI-Plus Groups for a period of itiatives and programmes which reinforce the five years. Depending on the availability of furt- link between higher education, non university- her funding, finance for one or two Junior based research and private enterprise. For this Groups should also be envisaged. reason the prioritised funding requirement for Compared with other countries, Austria’s be- eight Christian Doppler Laboratories is set to low-average availability of venture capital for receive funding of EUR 4.5 million in the fra- new, innovative companies is one of the main mework of the Christian Doppler Research As- reasons that Austria remains in the position of sociation (CDG). an innovation follower. The Council has there- Life Sciences is a field of research with great so- fore already spoken out several times in the past cial significance and major potential for deve- for the national venture capital (VC) structures lopment. The Council therefore recommends to be strengthened and supported the VC initia- allocating EUR 4.1 million to LBG to fund the tive of aws for 2010 in its recommendation of LB Institute for cancer research for four of the 2009. In view of Austria’s known structural seven years of the contractual term originally weakness in this regard, it should be made cle- applied for. If the evaluation is positive, the ob- ar that in future even greater support must be jective will be to provide full funding for the re- given to this initiative. Given the constraints on maining period. funding, the Council therefore recommends fi- Qualitative and quantitative expansion of the nancing a smaller VC fund of EUR 5.2 milli- human capital base is an essential prerequisite on. Should resources exceed the current availa- for ensuring excellence in research and innova- bility, a larger fund of EUR 10.4 million could tion in Austrian on a long-term basis. The de- be provided. In addition, the establishment of velopment and availability of well-trained re- a seed fund at aws, specifically aimed at tech- search staff has thus always been a concern of nology-based and academic start-ups, should the Council, for instance as demonstrated in the be analysed for further National Foundation key areas prioritised in the Strategy 2020 posi- tranches for venture capital and to top up or tion paper and the current work programme round out existing VC initiatives. 2011+. The initiatives applied for by the Austri-

Recommendation regarding the efficient translation of research results into innovations – Recommendation dated 24 November 2011

Background market. Austria will only be able to keep up As a country with a very high standard of living with other countries by engaging in intensive but also very high wage and business location R&D activities and applying the results to the costs Austria is compelled to constantly come market. Translating innovative know-how and up with innovations and launch them onto the technology into commercial products and ser-

25 vices is a complex matter, and promo- context. Very interesting opportunities have recommendations ting this presents political decision-ma- been developed to support this process with kers with a challenge. The process starts the help of international examples of best prac- by encouraging an interest in natural sci- tice and interviews with researchers, experts ence, technology and enterprise in chil- and industry. The results of this analysis have dren. It then leads through the necessity for been used to draw up recommendations for proof-of-concept support for researchers and measures to be taken in the following four fields extends to issues of corporate taxation. of action. The Austrian economy is dominated by small 1. Education businesses. 96.6 percent of firms are small and 2. Communication medium-sized enterprises with less than 250 3. Organisational framework conditions employees, and together they account for 56.7 4. Funding system percent of gross value added. In other words, such firms are a driving force behind the eco- 1. Education nomy and also make a significant contribution Where the implementation of innovative ideas to the innovation process. This sector is com- is concerned, there is a general lack of staff with plemented by an outstanding scientific structu- sound interdisciplinary training and a back- re at universities and non university-based re- ground in industry. Such a background is one search institutes with an international reputa- of the key prerequisites for operating successful- tion. Innovative ideas in the form of scientific ly at the interface between technology and the results and findings that are rendered marketa- market. In the sector of research such inter- ble are then output by industry as innovative faces are generally located at universities or non products and services – in Austria generally by university-based institutes and are therefore go- small and medium-sized businesses. If we now verned not only by the culture of the relevant consider those indicators as representing the le- institute but also by its pay scales, which often vel of innovation among Austrian SMEs and so act as a deterrent to people who come from in- the results of knowledge transfer, our ratings dustry. This makes it very difficult to find suit- rank slightly above the EU average according to able staff for technology transfer and business the Innovation Union Scoreboard. However, development in areas closely linked to research. there has been a dramatic fall in recent years. The situation is little different as regards the Overall sales generated in Austria with market conditions at start-up centres and business in- innovations are below the average in the Euro- cubators. There is a need for people with a good pean Union. education (generally a university degree), com- The above-mentioned transfer of knowledge bined with interdisciplinary know-how (e.g. into commercial results in this field also comes qualification in technology with business cour- up against barriers where implementation is ses) and experience in industry. concerned. This should be addressed systema- The Council therefore recommends: tically to ensure that the impetus of innovati- encouraging interdisciplinary education at on in Austria is maintained, along with its abi- schools and universities lity to compete at an international level. For this giving greater emphasis to entrepreneurial thin- reason the Austrian Council for Research and king and aspects of realising ideas in the syllabu- Technology Development has commissioned ses of both secondary and tertiary education an external study to identify drivers and obsta- improving the crossover between education cles for the transfer of know-how and techno- systems in the sense of ‘dual’ education to ma- logy into marketable products in an Austrian ke it easier to switch between industry and the

26 academic world. This concerns the crediting of me based on the Danish model to en- vocational skills at universities including the ne- sure that cooperation between science recommendations cessary legal and material prerequisites and con- and industry is anchored in education. versely, the crediting of qualifications acquired This would give doctoral students a de- at university to vocational courses, the organi- tailed insight into how industry sees, sation of access to higher education and the de- thinks and works and cultivate strong per- velopment of courses of study for persons with sonal links between the two worlds. vocational qualifications oriented to their needs. stronger anchoring of endowed chairs to speed up the transfer of scientific results to pri- 2. Communication vate enterprise. Industrial partners should be se- Communication, exchange and the ability to lectively targeted with offers of endowed chairs. speak a common language are a key factor for transferring innovations to the market. The in- 3. Organisational framework conditions volvement of customers and consumers and re- The implementation of research results and the gular communication with them are essential if transfer of know-how and technology is not ge- the results of research are to be commercialised nerally a priority at research institutes and as successfully. Projects will generally come to frui- such, is not included for example in the perfor- tion and work results put into practice if cus- mance agreements of universities or publicly fi- tomers have a true need for the product, which nanced science institutes. Proximity to the world is already taken into account during the project of business is not a criterion at many universi- planning stage and remains actively present ties/research centres or for a career as a re- throughout the project. searcher. In addition, companies generally lack The exchange between researchers and industry a clear-cut research and innovation strategy in is however frequently problematic. One key ob- the case of research partners. The absence of stacle is the different corporate and institutio- such strategies makes it difficult for research in- nal cultures, languages, objectives and time stitutes to agree topics of research with industry. frames. There are often mental barriers to see- The Council therefore recommends: king contact on both sides. Good cooperation incorporating the transfer of technology in is already taken for granted at many institutes the performance agreements of the universi- of technology and business management. In ot- ties. The commercialisation of research results her areas contact is frequently not even sought. should, where appropriate, form part of the Important factors here are conviction and wil- performance agreements concluded with uni- lingness on the part of the institute director to versity staff. If necessary, the statutory frame- encourage staff to adopt such an attitude at work conditions should also be amended here. their institute. providing for a return to the universities A number of programmes and initiatives (e.g. should a start-up fail so as to reduce the barriers COMET, FFG general programmes) has helped to creating spin-offs, as in the case of young re- to establish a culture of communication bet- searchers this generally takes place in a phase of ween the worlds of science and industry. The life that tends to be less certain (family / career next step is to ensure its further improvement planning). and institutionalisation on a long-term basis – including when not part of concrete funding 4. Funding system programmes. The funding landscape in Austria is essentially The Council therefore recommends: considered to be adequate. In particular, the the setting-up of an Industrial PhD program- general programmes of the FFG are seen as a

27 suitable instrument for driving forward The securing of exploitation rights, for exam- recommendations promising research results. But the CO- ple by means of patents, is a very laborious pro- MET programme or the Christian cess that is also very costly. There is a need for Doppler Laboratories are also very well a suitable central contact point for patenting is- regarded at both a national and interna- sues. The Austrian Patent Office is currently tional level. The Pre-Seed and Seed pro- characterised by a lack of services, particularly grammes of the aws sometimes help to make up where scientific inventors are concerned. for any lack of venture capital. However, when The Austrian Council therefore recommends: it comes to the commercialisation of research re- the development and introduction of a pro- sults, greater momentum is still required. of-of-concept programme based on an inter- The guidelines laid down by many funding pro- national model, which would enable researchers grammes often present an obstacle to the trans- to evaluate the commercialisation potential of fer of technology and know-how to the market: scientific results It is not permitted to finance developments the funding of high-risk projects. This would that are ready for the market. Near-market de- make it more likely that major, extremely inno- velopments in turn have very low funding ra- vative ideas could be launched with major im- tes, which frequently represent an obstacle, par- pact on the market. In this context the intro- ticularly for the scientific project partners. duction of a risk fund should be analysed, so of- Something that Austria clearly lacks when com- fering funding for very risky projects with a pared with other countries is a form of proof- high probability of failure. of-concept or proof-of-prototype funding. One the availability of tax breaks for capital that successful example here is the “Proof of Con- is used as venture capital or for business angel cept Programme” found in Denmark. activities or start-ups in order to interest a wi- Another problem is the reluctance of public der section of the public in this market and to funding bodies to take risk. An insufficient sha- make funding for new, innovative companies re of the funding budgets goes to highly inno- more readily available vative, i.e. high-risk projects, whose level of increase and differentiation of the research success on the market is not easy to estimate. premium, whereby small innovative companies The financial crisis has now also made institu- can claim a greater percentage than large, esta- tional investors such as banks, who were alrea- blished companies dy averse to risk, even more reluctant to finan- extension and improvement in the services of- ce innovative projects. This is something that fered by the Austrian Patent Office in relation particularly affects applied research in Austria. to patent searches, applications and advice. The Funding for small, innovative businesses by the Patent Office should be modernised according banks has all but dried up, and the private ven- to the international model, with comprehensi- ture risk capital market with venture capital or ve patent analyses and strategies being drawn up business angel financing is largely non-existent. for this purpose.

Creation of Suitable Framework Conditions for Private Equity in Austria – Recommendation dated 24 November 2011

Background Austria, especially where financing for medium- In a European comparison private equity and sized companies is concerned. Yet the macro- venture capital still play a subordinate role in economic value of risk capital for product in-

28 novations and promising growth markets is un- in this regard. It was not until an Invest- disputed. ment Companies Act (IGG) was draf- recommendations In 2010 Austrian private equity and venture ted in 2008 that the first intention was capital funds invested a total of EUR 127 mil- shown to adopt a genuine private equi- lion in small and medium-sized enterprises. ty law for Austria. Unfortunately, the While the share of early phase investments in IGG, which was sent for review by the Mi- business (seed, start-up and later stage venture) nistry for Finance only reflects the practical that is so important for innovation dynamism needs of the Austrian private equity industry to has remained stable, it still accounts for no mo- a limited degree. In contrast, the IGG light de- re than just under 23 percent of all investments. veloped by the Austrian Venture Capital Orga- Moreover, within early phase business invest- nisation (AVCO) and its experts in response to ments there has been an increased focus on la- the IGG offers a good basis for further reflec- ter stage ventures. However, it is the seed and tion. However, it must be examined in detail for start-up that is required, especially when it co- any excessive demands and above all for its con- mes to financing young, innovative companies. sistency with the new Alternative Investment This is where Austria has the biggest funding Fund Managers (AIFMD) regulation. gap. In addition, SMEs are expected to show a At the EU level, at the end of last year the Al- heightened demand for capital as the increa- ternative Investment Fund Managers Directive singly strict regulatory requirements for banks (AIFMD) was adopted with the objective of are making it harder for small and medium-si- controlling systemic financial market risks, pro- zed companies to obtain financing from this tecting the interests of investors and ensuring source. This increases pressure on alternative greater transparency. While the Directive’s use- sources of money such as equity financing. Ho- fulness is undisputed there are a number of pit- wever, Austria still lags far behind other coun- falls that have to be avoided when transposing tries in this regard. it in national legislation. Thus the AIFMD will Due to the absence of internationally competi- entail a considerable increase in administrative tive framework conditions in Austria it is diffi- costs, which are largely unrelated to the respec- cult to attract international institutional inve- tive volume of managed funds. This means that stors for Austria as a business location. It is not the Directive systematically disadvantages small possible to present investors with an “Austria private equity funds and probably makes those package” by means of which the investment funds whose total assets are less than EUR 50 can be standardised and legally secured. Sector million completely impossible. For this reason, representatives have thus long been calling for an opt-out is planned for non-leveraged funds an internationally competitive private equity with total assets of less than EUR 500 million law which would provide the framework for and for leveraged funds with less than EUR the flexible and speedy acquisition and repay- 100 million. Austria has just under two years to ment of capital. In its Recommendation Con- transpose the Directive into national law. As cerning Private Equity (PE) / Venture Capital the Austrian PE/VC industry is characterised by (VC) from 17 March 2008 the Austrian Coun- very small structures and few funds achieve a cil for Research and Technology Development volume of EUR 50 million or more, the way in also called for the swift implementation of a pri- which AIFMD is transposed into national law vate equity law. Unfortunately, this recommen- is of crucial importance. There is still conside- dation has not been followed. rable scope for optimisation in this regard. The current SME Financing Companies Act What are needed are swift licencing, short ad- (MiFiG) is of only limited use as an instrument ministrative procedures and exceptions for

29 smaller funds. It is important that the Code with appropriate information and disclo- recommendations Austrian regulator does not regulate too sure obligations and demands on the manage- tightly in this regard. ment of investment companies. In addition, In the case of opt-outs, the Directive fo- there is no “supervisory agency” which will ve- resees minimum regimes for PE/VC ma- rify compliance and violations of these condi- nagers that must be included in national le- tions. gislation. However, they do not restrict the re- implementation of the AIFM Directive in a gulator’s power to develop a separate body of re- way that is appropriate for the Austrian PE/VC gulations that go beyond the minimum rules. industry with its small structures. Although the In the Austria’s case, this raises the risk of un- EU Directive will not leave a great deal of lati- suitable and excessive provisions to the detri- tude once it is implemented in national law, it ment of the PE/VC industry. Yet at the same ti- should nevertheless and as far as possible be me, it also offers the opportunity for a compre- aligned to the needs of PE/VC funds, which just hensive and sensible regulation of the statuto- about reach the volume to be able to bear the ry framework for the PE/VC business. administrative burdens. The discussion concerning the introduction of improving the legal framework in addition to a separate private equity law took place already introducing a separate PE law by repealing the in 2008 when the draft IGG was formulated. MiFiG and creating transitional periods Since then little more has been heard of the exempting the management fee from VAT in matter. The forthcoming implementation of order to make Austria more attractive for fund the AIFMD offers a good opportunity to revi- investors. Internationally, this exemption is lar- ve the issue as a new PE law will anyway have gely assured to be passed when the AIFMD is introduced. the formulation of a position paper to support the Austrian regulator with clear substan- Demands tive positions concerning the optimal transpo- The Austrian Council therefore recommends: sition of the AIFMD in national law in accor- the introduction of a private equity law ba- dance with the needs of the Austrian PE/VC sed on the preparatory work carried out for the business. IGG light and the AVCO Good Governance

Recommendation Concerning an Investment Allowance – Recommendation dated 24 November 2011

Background stock ownership by the aws (austria wirtschafts- In light of the current economic situation and service). However, further measures to promo- the new capital regulations for banks (Basel III) te investments in SMEs are urgently required. it will become increasingly difficult for young, The Austrian Council therefore backs the Austri- innovative companies to obtain funding from an chambers of commerce in their call for the in- these sources. As a result, equity capital will troduction of an investment allowance of up to play an increasingly significant role, above all EUR 10,000 per year for so-called business an- for financing young, growing companies. gels and other private capital contributions to gi- Progress has already been made in recent years ve private-sector investors an incentive to sup- toward promoting investments in SMEs: for port young, innovative businesses. According example equity capital guarantees, double equi- to a study carried out by the Austrian Institute ty guarantee funds, guarantees for employee for SME Research on behalf of the WKO some

30 50,000 companies would be eligible. Approxi- Recommendation mately 70,000 Austrians were viewed as poten- The Austrian Council for Research and recommendations tial investors. The investment allowance could Technology Development recommends improve the equity ratio of micro-sized compa- the introduction of an investment allo- nies by five percentage points and of small en- wance for private investors as called for by terprises by two percentage points. the chambers of commerce. This should to- The introduction of the investment allowance tal EUR 50,000 and should be deductible at a could lead to a win-win-win-situation. Micro- rate of EUR 10,000 per annum within five ye- sized and small companies could tap additional ars. sources of equity capital and in this way impro- Specifically this is to support investments by ve their own equity capital situation. Moreover, private individuals in Austrian SMEs. The Au- this could provide important stimulus for the strian Council recommends an investment al- private equity segment, which in an internatio- lowance of EUR 50,000, which should be de- nal comparison is underrepresented in Austria. ductible within five years at a rate of EUR The more dynamic development toward com- 10,000 per year. The target segment for this panies with a strong equity base that this will tax allowance should be small businesses (as de- encourage will in turn produce a higher return fined by the EU), which are either liable to in additional taxes through higher profits and keep books of account or voluntarily use dou- higher investments and if the investment is ble book-keeping. sold, due to capital gains tax.

Creation of a National Database of Public-Sector Research Funding – Recommendation dated 24 November 2011

Background its recommendation concerning the amendment In view of the considerable size of the public sec- to the Federal Statistics Act issued on 19 Septem- tor contribution to total R&D spending – accor- ber 2009. The 2008 CREST report and the sy- ding to the latest figures from the Statistik Austria stem evaluation in 2009 also support providing global estimate 2011 it is 38 percent – greater access to micro-data. The RTI Strategy of the Fe- transparency is required with regard to public-sec- deral Government also recommends developing tor R&D spending. As approximately 30 per- a suitable legal framework for using statistical da- cent of direct federal funding for research is awar- ta. ded through the funding agencies, it would be Establishing this kind of interactive tool should sensible to collect the relevant data in a compre- make it easier to verify the use of public funds and hensive electronic database at the programme at the same time provide a basis for analyses which and project level. To some extent this can be do- in turn form the basis for policy recommendati- ne by merging existing databases such as the Fe- ons. deral Research Database and the project databases of the aws, FFG and FWF. Recommendation The National Audit Office already drew attenti- The Austrian Council recommends that research- on in 2005 to the need for a database containing relevant data be collected in a national database information on all research funding provided by with the aim of documenting all research funding the Federal Government and the provinces. The provided by the Federal Government and the Austrian Council picked up this suggestion in provinces in a homogenous and transparent da-

31 tabase. This would form the basis for terms /durations recommendations complying with reporting obligations equipment that is to be or was purchased under special legislation (e. g. Report on with the funding or as part of the research con- Austria’s Scientific and Technological Ca- tract pability, The Research and Technology Re- place where the final report will be available port, facts documentation, reporting obliga- project results (publications, patents etc.) tions for Europe 2020 etc.) and evaluations. In the opinion of the Austrian Council the da- The data should be collected by the respective tabase should be kept at Statistik Austria. This funding agencies as part of their standard collec- would have the advantage of facilitating linka- tion of data from all funding recipients according ge with existing data sets from statistical surveys to uniform principles and survey logics. In par- (R&D, turnover, employees, labour market, fo- ticular, the following information should be col- reign trade, etc.), and would minimise the ad- lected (in German and English): ditional effort and expense of investigating RTI- Recipients (institutions and individuals) of re- relevant questions. ceive research funding and contractors in the ca- If necessary, the statutory framework should be se of contract research adapted accordingly. the responsible project manager The Austrian Council recommends that a pro- brief description of the research project and ject team comprising representatives of the re- the funding levant ministries, the National Audit Office, thematic key words and categorisation by dis- the funding agencies, Statistik Austria, the pro- cipline vinces and the Austrian Council be appointed sources of financing (funding programmes, di- to hammer out the details of the recommenda- rect funding by the public sector, research as- tion and implement it. signments etc.)

Recommendation of the Austrian Council for Research and Development Regarding the Award of Overhead Costs to Subsidised Research Projects – Recommendation dated 16 December 2011

General cussed here concerns general costs and that this At its meeting on 9 June 2011 the Austrian term should be used consistently. Council for Research and Technology Deve- General costs undoubtedly constitute an impor- lopment decided to set up a working group on tant part of research financing, as they have a general costs with participants from the mini- direct impact on research projects. It should be stries represented on the Austrian Council and possible to obtain full-cost funding for research the funding agencies. The task of this working projects under the terms of a system of compe- group is to jointly ascertain the current state of tition and formal entitlements to support. Ge- affairs neral costs constitute necessary structures and reflect the individual profile of research institu- Status quo tions. Having said that, general costs do not First of all, a distinction needs to be made bet- adequately compensate for fully-funded re- ween overheads and general costs which are of- search institutions. In an ideal financial struc- ten used synonymously in relation to subsidis- ture, for tertiary institutions and extra-univer- ed research projects. It has been agreed that the sity research institutions, they would generate Austrian Council recommendation being dis- over-financing and thus become obsolete.

32 In terms of funding applicants, a number of lar- reimbursement of indirect project costs ge groups can be identified, whose situation as of 2011, but points out that this is recommendations can be described as follows: only a first step, as limiting payments to Under current funding guidelines tertiary insti- just some of the FWF programmes is tutions (in particular universities and Fach- problematic. The wish is now to have this hochschulen) receive lump sums, which gene- extended to all programmes. The FFG on- rally amount to 20 percent of the direct project ly recognises a standard rate of 20 percent for costs (FWF) or personnel costs (FFG). A more applications made by institutions of higher edu- detailed analysis and differentiation will follow cation after 1 August 2010. FFG programmes later in the text. currently allow non-university institutions and Non-university research institutions are some- companies to either receive a standard 20 per- times able to claim general costs under a full cent of general costs or, if they wish to claim a economic costing model and must subsequent- higher percentage, then evidence must be pro- ly document the actual costs incurred. vided to substantiate the claim. Funding applicants from trade and industry are The prime consideration for funding applicants treated similarly to non-university research in- must be improved legal security. stitutions; while they frequently receive research In the aws sphere general costs play almost no funding they are also able to document their full role in the vast majority of funding instruments. economic costs A small number of instruments provide for ge- All other funding applicants who are unable to neral costs payments and in these cases the con- document their full economic costs or who do ditions and modalities are based on those of not complete the analyses that this would requi- the FFG. Usually a standard rate of 20 percent re, are, like institutions of higher education, is applied. awarded lump sums (as a rule 20 percent of the Increased general costs lead to a reduction in the direct project costs or personnel costs). total research output that can be achieved. Flat- At the time of the current Austrian Council re- rate payments of 20 percent without proof ha- commendation, the funding agencies, FWF, ving to be furnished are therefore to be consi- FFG and aws for example, all have different dered an upper limit. In the eyes of the Mini- approaches. stry for Finance, higher rates are only permis- The FWF believes that reimbursing general sible with verifiable documentary evidence. costs is one of the most important and structu- With regard to the strategy of the Federal Go- rally effective research policy measures in con- vernment, it is noted that general costs are re- nection with FWF-financed projects. garded as an instrument for providing targeted Research institutions that have projects in the and unbureaucratic support for research work programme categories “individual projects” and and serve to sustain researchers at universities “PEEK” approved from 2011 onward, will in and institutions. future receive payments to cover their general In parts of the Austrian research scene there are costs. Under the arrangement that came into a number of unresolved questions regarding the force in 2011, 20 percent of the direct project award of general costs. The different treatment costs will be paid to the research institutions. of admissible annual staff time as reflected in The prerequisite is that the research institution the hourly calculation of personnel costs de- carrying out the relevant project is a legal enti- pends on the institution’s basic financing. The ty. No payment of general costs is planned for number of hours that enter the calculation ge- projects that were approved before 2011. nerally take into account non-project-related The FWF very much welcomes the lump-sum hours and thus activities which should ultima-

33 tely be seen as part of the overall finan- Austrian innovation system. General costs com- recommendations cing. Those hours are necessary to en- pensate for structural capacities that are neces- able the research institution to carry out sary for the research institution to carry out the the activities and should thus be regar- research project. A holistic view of the innova- ded as allowable general costs. tion system financing is indispensable and this Transferring equipment costs from general must be reflected accordingly in the strategic costs into equipment hours which have to be documents and strategies, for example in the documented and explicitly calculated as separa- Universities Plan. te machine hours does not constitute an impro- General costs must be admissible and allo- vement, but merely a reallocation into diffe- wance must be made for non-productive acti- rent cost categories. Yet this implies considera- vities at the research institutions. Due to the ti- ble effort in terms of documentation and in me and expense involved with keeping records, furnishing proof. the Austrian Council recommends that an eva- In a departure from the common practice of the luated general cost rate be established on the ba- full-costing model, some programme lines, such sis of full costs for a longer period (three to a as Bridge or Research Studios Austria have a ge- maximum period of five years). In large re- neral lump-sum payment for all subsidised pro- search institutions, especially in the field of ap- jects in their funding guidelines. Other coope- plied research, the calculation should be made ration programmes that are based on collabo- at the level of the smallest meaningfully distin- ration between business and the tertiary sector guishable organisational unit. (e.g. CD Labs) do receive additional support via In connection with the evaluated general cost the funding of infrastructure, yet funding for rate, the Austrian Council believes that it is es- general costs as such is not envisaged. The ac- sential to guarantee to funding applicants that tual use of general cost expenditure at different the expected general costs are legally secured at research institutions is to be regulated in those the beginning of research projects. institutions themselves. As the additional fun- In the opinion of the Austrian Council the ding creates an incentive to researchers, a signi- medium-term goals should be that comparable ficant portion should be granted to the organi- research funding instruments are subject to the sational units directly involved in the research same rules in respect of general costs. The ex- project tension of general costs will in the long term result in greater overall budgets. The Austrian Council recommends that appropriate finan- Recommendation cing models be given consideration in budget Based on the findings of the working group, the plans and strategy papers. Austrian Council for Research and Technology The Austrian Council considers the current Development makes the following recommen- legal framework to be adequate with regard to dations: the basic award of general costs and merely re- The issue of full-cost financing of research in- commends that the necessary adjustments be stitutions is one of the central problems of the made.

34 creating knowledge creating knowledge Update: What has been accomplished Research Infrastructure

State-of-the-art research infrastructure is borations. More than 50 experts from science of outstanding scientific and economic im- and industry gathered to discuss these issues in portance for Austria. The excellence achieved by three working groups and key questions and scientists in research and development (R&D) initial recommendations were formulated, in is only possible if the expansion and renewal of particular underlining the importance of state- research facilities is also guaranteed in future. of-the-art research infrastructure for science Research infrastructure, however, is not just and business. technical equipment for research, buildings and The results were presented at a press conference equipment, but a hub for communication and on research infrastructure at the Alpbach Tech- as such is essential for the training up of young nology Forum 2011 and an online discussion scientists. World-class research infrastructure was opened. For this purpose, the results were forms a basis for this and encourages a concen- prepared for the online process and were for se- tration of excellent scientists, greater coopera- veral weeks made available to a wide commu- tion between science and industry, and leads to nity for discussion. excellent scientific training and to the develop- The results that were obtained from this mul- ment of an attractive environment in which to ti-stage process formed the basis for the recom- conduct research. Without state-of-the-art re- mendation regarding research infrastructure in search infrastructure it is impossible to preser- Austria2. The recommendation in particular ve knowledge and generate new knowledge. stressed the coordination of research infrastruc- The Austrian Council for Research and Techno- ture projects, the development of suitable ope- logy Development has been monitoring the de- rator models and the setting up and mainten- velopment of research infrastructure in Austria ance of a research infrastructure database for all for several years and on the basis of study results, areas of research. The latter could be achieved workshops and discussions regularly draws up by setting up a central coordination office. Fin- recommendations that should promote the de- ding new sources of funding and increasing velopment of research infrastructure. participation in international research infra- An initial assessment of Austrian research infrastructure projects, for example within the fra- structure at universities, Fachhochschulen, pri- mework of ESFRI, are prerequisites for develo- vate universities and research-intensive compa- ping first-class research infrastructure in Au- nies was presented in the “Survey of Austrian stria. Research Infrastructure” studies between 2008 State-of-the-art infrastructure is hugely impor- and 20101. tant for research and development success. Ho- Based on the results of the studies a workshop wever, the development cycles of modern equip- was held on 10 May 2011 that dealt with the ment are becoming ever shorter and more ex- topics (1) costs and financing, (2) locations and pensive. Flexible framework conditions will the- development of research profiles and (3) colla- refore have to be created which allow the goal-

1 Austin, Pock & Partners (2008/2009): Survey of Austrian Research Infrastructure; (2009/2010): Supplementary Survey of Austrian Research Infrastructure 2 http://www.rat-fte.at/tl_files/uploads/Empfehlungen/111124_Recommendation_Research Infrastructure.pdf

36 oriented optimisation of research infrastructu- Development will therefore in future re. Increased cooperation and the formulation of continue its efforts to lead an active and creating knowledge joint national goals are thus essential to ensure broad-based discussion process regar- the healthy growth of research in Austria. The ding the expansion and modernisation Austrian Council for Research and Technology of research infrastructure in Austria.

Research Infrastructure: The Chairman of the Austrian Council Hannes Androsch Visits the Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy (ZFE Graz) – Graz on 7 October 2011

In June 2011 one of the very few scanning used for basic research at the ZFE Graz and at transmission electron microscopes in the world the Graz University of Technology, the micros- was taken into operation at the ZFE Graz, cope also benefits Austrian industry in the form which is part of the Austrian Cooperative Re- of partnerships with the semi-conductor indu- search organisation. The ASTEM (Austrian stry, companies from the automotive and me- Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) dical sectors and the plastics industry. Other makes it possible to analyse the details of ma- Austrian universities will also be able to use the terials even at the atomic level. On 7 October, microscope in order to generate synergy effects. the Chairman of the Austrian Council Dr. Han- One quarter of the financing for ASTEM was nes Androsch viewed this high-tech microsco- provided by the Austrian Research Promotion pe, which at a total cost of EUR 4 million is one Agency’s COIN programme but most of the the biggest Central European investments in costs were borne by the ZFE Graz itself. The scientific infrastructure. Graz University of Technology, the province of The Austrian Council, which is currently wor- Styria, the Styrian Business Promotion Agency king on measures for an Austria-wide coordina- SFG and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce ted expansion of research infrastructure, welco- also contributed to the costs. mes the ASTEM’s usage model. As well as being

Johann Jäger (ACR), Hannes Androsch, Harald Kainz (TU Graz), Ferdinand Hofer (ZFE Graz)

37 RTI Platform Austria: Meeting in Vienna on 13/14 January 2011 and in Linz on 14/15 July 2011 creating knowledge The RTI Platform Austria has establis- stria, the tenth working meeting in Linz beca- hed a core group comprising representa- me the first in a new round of meetings to be tives of the federal provinces and the fe- held in all host provinces. In this second round, deral research and technology development the focus of the meetings will shift from the agencies. operational management of measures to access At the ninth meeting of the RTI Platform in to information, opinion-making and aware- Vienna, this group presented its working report ness-raising, and there will be a greater empha- containing seven areas for action and measures sis on the exchange of ideas and experiences to achieve the vision for 2015. Based on these between participants. At a dinner on 14 July a areas, a catalogue of targeted measures has been host of current regional RTI policy issues were drawn up aimed at exploiting the potential of discussed in detail in an open and relaxed atmo- Austria’s RTI actors more effectively and increa- sphere with Doris Hummer, a member of the sing the efficiency of the instruments. The pre- Upper Austrian provincial government. Speci- sentation was attended by numerous represen- fic measures were then developed in the wor- tatives of provincial governments. The meeting king meetings that followed. also provided a setting for discussions with ex- The Austrian Council considers that the working perts from the European Commission and Au- meetings of the RTI Platform Austria reflect the stria about the EU Structural Funds, which are most urgent needs of the regional innovation so important for regional RTI activities. scene and provide important input for the Coun- After nine successful meetings throughout Au- cil’s recommendations and partnerships.

Dinner with Doris Hummer, a member of the Upper Austrian provincial government, at a meeting of the RTI Platform in Linz

38 Life Sciences, Environmental and Agricultural Sciences creating knowledge The extremely wide-ranging field of life, environ- form Forestry-Timber-Paper (FHP) and mental and agricultural sciences in Austria is frag- with the support of the Austrian Council mented both in terms of competencies and natio- secretariat. Actors in this field gained a tho- nal programmes. In 2009 the Austrian Council rough insight into research promotion pro- therefore commissioned a potential analysis. This grammes at both the national and European levels, field of research, which is very prominently repre- while the economic significance of the sector in sented in the next EU framework programme the innovation system was explained to represen- Horizon 2020, will continue to be highly relevant. tatives of the agencies and ministries. A number of measures and events in this field The Austrian Council secretariat also provided with the participation of the Austrian Council se- support for the ongoing process of developing a cretariat have brought together different interests vision for agricultural science, which is taking pla- and raised awareness for this sector. ce in particular at the University of Natural Re- In April 2011 a workshop with stakeholders, agen- sources and Life Sciences (BOKU), by actively cies and the thematically responsible government participating in the process and drafting docu- ministries took place under the aegis of the plat- ments.

Non-University Research – Factors for Success

Approximately one third of public spending on In its working programme 2011+ the Austrian R&D in Austria flows into the varied and dif- Council therefore committed itself to analy- ferentiated community of non-university re- sing cooperation between universities and non- search institutions, which has established itself university research institutions and to defining alongside the university sector. These instituti- the factors for the successful sustainable deve- ons are a key pillar of Austrian research and lopment of structures, know-how and impact of provide important impulses especially for re- non-university research institutions. This is search in the service of social development and being done within the framework of a partner- innovations in the corporate sector. ship with FAS.research, which focuses on the Consequently, and for a variety of reasons, a following fundamental questions regarding the whole host of structures has evolved, each with future of non-university research in Austria: different responsibilities, forms of financing, In which direction should non-university re- missions, management and scientific quality. search develop? Yet to date there have been almost no fundamen- What are the success factors for the individual tal empirical surveys of their role and their im- institutions and the RTI system (beyond the pact in the innovation system. The diversity and monetary factor)? regional distribution of these research instituti- What role does the mix of funding for pro- ons promise flexibility, creativity and competi- jects, programmes and institutions play in the tion but also result in predominantly pieceme- development of critical masses? al structures with high fixed costs and inefficient Which strategies/measures are needed for this? parallel structures. Often there are insufficient Which stakeholders play which role? funds to build up competencies in the long What role is played by the Austrian Council? term. As a result, many non-university research The purpose of the project is to draw up recom- institutions have no clear concept of their role. mendations to identify factors behind the suc-

39 cess of non-university research institu- ministration, politics and evaluators). Further- creating knowledge tions within the framework of a parti- more, proposals should be drawn up for the cipatory impact analysis. This is to be establishment of a sustainable structure for the carried out in cooperation with experts non-university research landscape and for im- from the major stakeholders in non-uni- proved cooperation with universities and busi- versity research institutions (research, ad- nesses.

Hypothetic Link Between Financial Resources and Instrument

Local Amount of Funding Concentration Critical Mass

Particularisation Island Effect

Funding for Projects – Funding for Individuals – Funding for Institutions Continuity over Time Source: FAS.research 2010

Monitoring RTI Strategy

In § 17b (1) subpara. 7 and (7) subpara. 2 of the monitor the implementation of its recommenda- Research and Technology Funding Act (FTFG), tions to a greater degree than in the past. which provided the statutory basis for the establish- Based on the results of this monitoring, a yearly re- ment of the Austrian Council and defined its report on Austria’s scientific and technological capa- mit, the Austrian Council is charged with develo- bility will be drawn up, which in future is to be sub- ping strategic recommendations and long-term mitted to Parliament together with the Research RTI strategies and also given responsibility for ve- and Technology Report. rifying their gradual implementation. In a cabinet The Austrian Council will therefore keep under presentation on 9 September 2010, these specific continuous review the challenges that have to be tasks were specified in greater detail and their im- overcome if Austria is to achieve the goal set by the portance stressed to a greater extent than in the Government of rising to join the ranks of the lea- past: ding innovation nations. The Austrian Council In future, the Austrian Council is to strategical- sees its task as being to monitor developments in ly monitor the implementation of the Federal Go- these areas and to assess their importance for the vernment’s RTI Strategy and shall evaluate the RTI system. measures that have been put in place, as well as At the constituent meeting of the RTI Task Force their goal orientation. on 22 June 2011 it was agreed that the responsi- In addition, the Austrian Council should also ble ministries would draw up an implementation

40 plan with a list of all measures contained in the RTI hin the framework of a bilateral exchange Strategy. The plan should spell out which ministry between the individual ministries and the creating knowledge is responsible for implementing which measures. Austrian Council. On the basis of this in- At the meeting of the RTI Task Force on 6 Decem- formation and other analyses and study re- ber 2011, a joint course of action was agreed bet- sults, the Austrian Council will draw up a ween the task force and the Austrian Council draft report that will be discussed at a joint which will enable the Council to carry out its mo- meeting with the task force. The results of the dis- nitoring work as planned. cussion and the feedback from the meeting will be The following was agreed: Each year the extent to used to adapt the report accordingly. The report which the measures set out in the Strategy and the will then be approved by the Austrian Council recommendations made by the Austrian Council and published together with the Research and have been implemented will be documented wit- Technology Report.

Awareness: Long Night of Research 2012 (Planning Process)

The Long Night of Research is currently the rily and at their own financial risk. The Au- only nationwide research event to make the strian Council welcomes the continuation of achievements of domestic institutions – from the successful format and supports the event basic research to industry – accessible to a by moderating and coordinating nationwide broader public. The first three events (2005, measures. 2008 and 2009) were supported by the go- The Long Night of Research is taking place vernment ministries responsible for research for the fifth time on 27 April 2012. The plan- and organised with the help of an agency. The ning process began in the second quarter of Austrian Council was a permanent member 2011 and work on the event will end with the of the steering committee. post-event review in May 2012. Up to now Since 2010 the Long Night of Research has the Austrian Council has provided support been an umbrella brand of the participating for participation by eight provinces – for ex- provinces, which carry out the event volunta- ample, by steering concept development and

Website of the Long Night of Research 2012

41 the acquisition of the financing mo- The Long Night of Research was introduced creating knowledge del or the joint PR campaign inclu- to an international audience in a presentation ding the necessary administrative at the Swiss Science Conference SciComm11 structures. in Biel.

Programme Evaluations

In the cabinet presentation of 9 September 2010 analyses that have a summative (summarising, the Austrian Council was instructed to carry out conclusively evaluating) character and provide an annual evaluation of Austria’s scientific and information concerning the quality of research technological capability. This will be based both results, medium-term economic impacts and on the evaluations of the RTI system as a who- long-term socio-economic impacts. This is in le and on evaluations of individual programmes. particular due to the fact that programmes are As early as 2007 the National Audit Office pro- evaluated during the programme period; ho- posed that the Austrian Council should com- wever, normally too little time has passed sin- mission evaluations of existing funding instru- ce the introduction of the programmes to car- ments and then on this basis formulate recom- ry out quantitative impact analyses as well. In mendations for the future shape of the RTI sy- addition, the funding cases are often limited stem and the instruments that will be used. by the large number of existing programmes. Current Context Quantitative analytic methods (bibliometric The Austrian Research and Technology Report analyses, patent analyses, input-output models 2010 points out that Austria has a higher than etc.) are often unrewarding; impact analyses average quantity of evaluations, which is above can only be carried out as examples using qua- all attributable to the large number of direct litative analyses of case studies and focus groups. funding programmes. At the same time, howe- Another problematic aspect of the Austrian sta- ver, it also notes that key issues such as input tus quo is that unlike the reference countries in and output additionalities and also the quality which evaluations are for the most part contrac- of outputs are considered in only about a quar- ted via public invitations to tender (15 percent ter of the evaluations and thus significantly less in Austria vs. 53 percent in the reference coun- often than in comparable countries.3 tries), closed tendering procedures in the form Yet despite the large number of evaluations and of a “non-public procedure without prior an- the extremely well developed evaluation cultu- nouncement” are preferred in Austria (58 per- re, appropriate consequences are still not al- cent in Austria as opposed to eight percent in ways drawn from the results. Evaluations are so- the reference countries).5 metimes used to legitimate the continuation of Status and Further Steps existing projects and there is still no established The commissioning of programme evaluations culture of terminating programmes.4 was discussed at the meeting of the Research A further problem is that there are only a rela- and Technology Evaluation Platform (fteval) tively small number of evaluations and impact on 26 May 2011. The topic was also subse-

3 Forschungs- und Technologiebericht 2010, p. 182 ff. 4 Compare European Innovation Progress Report 2009, p. 26, p. 103 5 Forschungs- und Technologiebericht 2010, p. 184

42 quently discussed at a meeting of the Austrian should also define the specific form this Council on 15 September 2011 and a joint ap- cooperation should take. Above all the creating knowledge proach agreed. In future the Austrian Council Austrian Council wishes to help impro- is to be involved in developing calls and draw- ve the culture of evaluation and highlight ing up the terms of reference. Relevant informa- comparability deficits in terms of carrying tion will be shared bilaterally between the mi- out and implementing evaluations. The ar- nistries and the Austrian Council and will also rangement discussed at the Council meeting be placed on the agenda of the fteval platform. which provides for the involvement of the Au- The Austrian Council welcomes this proposal strian Council at an early stage should be vie- and suggests that an agreement to this effect be wed as a positive compromise. concluded with the ministries. The agreement

Basic Expertise: Reports and Studies 2011

Study: Analysis of Typical Barriers to the Efficient Implementation of Research Results in Innovation (Brimatech)

Transforming research results into marketable recommendations were then developed on this innovations that benefit the economy and so- basis for Austrian innovation policy. ciety, i.e. the transfer of knowledge, is the key Education to growth and prosperity. Austria will only be According to the study team the most strongly able to keep up internationally by engaging in perceived barriers are those in the area of edu- intensive research and development activities cation. Individuals who work in knowledge and and bringing the results to market. The trans- technology transfer – be it in declared transfer fer of innovative know-how and technology in- offices, in incubators, company founders them- to commercial products and services is a com- selves but also researchers – need expertise to plex process characterised by a large number of successfully launch products on the market. A barriers and information asymmetries. university degree (usually in a technical or scien- Promoting the transfer of knowledge is a chal- tific discipline), combined with business know- lenge for political decision makers. It starts ear- how and experience in industry – is what ma- ly on with raising awareness among children for ny of those surveyed considered to be the ide- scientific and technical topics and business is- al education. However, instilling small children sues and extends to the need for proof-of-con- with an enthusiasm for technical, scientific and cept support for researchers to the question of business issues also appears important. The corporate taxation. most important recommendations made by the The aim of the study conducted by Brimatech authors of the study for this area concern pro- Services GmbH on behalf of the Austrian Coun- moting interdisciplinary training at universi- cil was to identify drivers and barriers in the ties and strengthening entrepreneurial thinking transfer of knowledge for an Austrian context. in technical and scientific subjects. Examples of The study highlighted particularly interesting best practice could help present a realistic pic- means of supporting this process illustrated by ture of career paths and career options and arou- examples of international best practice. Specific se curiosity for certain professions.

43 Communication Framework Conditions creating knowledge Communication, exchange, and the abi- Neither research institutes nor industrial com- lity to speak a common language are a panies view the implementation of research re- key factor for implementing innovations sults as a priority. In many cases, there are in- on the market. There is a great need for sufficient resources and suitable personnel to ac- communication between science, users and tively shape the transfer of knowledge and tech- industry. Programmes and initiatives like CO- nology. There is thus room to improve frame- MET, the Christian Doppler Research Associa- work conditions within organisations in this tion (CDG) or the general programmes of the respect. Those surveyed said they would like to Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) are see the idea of knowledge and technology trans- perceived as good instruments both nationally fer – where practical – transported to universi- and internationally. The study team therefore re- ties to a greater degree via performance agree- commends intensifying communication during ments. The absence of clear strategies and road education, for example by introducing an “In- maps was also identified as a deficit. Greater en- dustrial PhD Programme” based on the Danish couragement should be given to leading firms model, as well as a greater number of endowed and sector representatives to formulate and pu- chairs, as is the case in Germany. Contracts of blish research and innovation strategies. The employment at universities also offer possible appointment of dedicated transfer officers at starting points. One interesting example is to be research institutes could stimulate the transfer. found in Denmark, where university staff recei- Funding System ve 80 percent of their salary for four working The direct and indirect funding system in Au- days and on the fifth day can top up their wa- stria is perceived as highly developed and effi- ges by collaborating with industry or by obtai- cient by both Austrian and international ex- ning funding from third parties. perts. Only a small number of funding gaps

Funding within the Technology Transfer Process in Austria

Communication Science Collaborative Feasibility Proof of Utilisation Licensing and Seed Start-up Industry R&D Concept Patenting

aws Pre-Seed aws aws Seed aws Seed Start-up Bonus aws ProTrans aws Management auf Zeit aws Discover.IP aws Impulse XS+XL aws aws Ipp – Innovation FFG General Programmes innovation Funding protection programme VIP (D) AMS Start-up aws tecm – innovation marketing Programme FFG Coin FFG AplusB Christian Doppler Laboratories Proof of Concept (DK) FFG Start-up FFG COMET aws Uni & Inventions Business Incubator (DK) Industrial PhD (DK) aws Technology Check High Tech SHOK (FI) Start-up fund (D) TULI (FI) VGIO Accelerators (FI)

Proof-of-concept International Examples funding is largely unknown in Austria National Examples

Source: Brimatech; Analyse typischer Barrieren bei der effizienten Umsetzung von Forschungsergebnissen in Innovationen. Wien 2011, S. 52

44 can be identified. However, an international funding provided for use as seed capi- comparison shows that a proof-of-concept pro- tal and thus its use in fields such as the creating knowledge gramme would also constitute a valuable fun- life sciences. Development potential can ding instrument. Furthermore, evaluation cri- also be unlocked by extending the pre- teria which place greater emphasis on the com- seed and seed programme to a wider cir- mercialisation path should also be taken into ac- cle with less of a technological focus. Paten- count when awarding projects. In this connec- ting and licencing costs are another barrier. tion, a call was made for greater support for pro- What is missing in Austria are regional or cen- jects with a high market risk. Incubators should tral patent exploitation agencies. also make greater use of the expertise of failed Summary and serial entrepreneurs. The study team considers the following recom- Measures in the area of indirect funding inclu- mendations to be particularly worthy of conside tax concessions for venture capital and busi- deration: ness angel capital, higher limits for contract re- promote interdisciplinary training at schools search as part of the research premium and ma- and universities king allowance for research and development in incorporate entrepreneurial thinking and foundation endowments. commercialisation in curricula Public funding such as the seed programme of introduce industrial PhD funding for companies austria wirtschaftsservice (aws) does at least ma- advertise endowed chairs more aggressively ke up in part for the almost complete absence establish a proof-of-concept programme of the private risk capital market in the form of provision of support also for projects that ha- venture capital or business angels. International ve a high (market) risk experts are very positive about the high level of

Study: Technology Flow Analysis (IWI)

The Austrian economy is well placed in the tions are particularly suitable for a comparati- area of research, technology and innovation ve analysis. (RTI). This position now has to be reinforced Core industries in the national innovation sy- so that Austria does not fall behind comparable stem (NIS) in Austria are communications en- countries. This study by the Institute for Indu- gineering, power generation and distribution strial Research (IWI) supplies the necessary da- equipment, machine building, metal producti- tabase for this, provides a comprehensive pictu- on, the chemicals industry, medical technolo- re of the national innovation system (NIS) and gy and optics. The industries that are most vi- outlines the effective implementation of tech- sible and intensively networked within the NIS nology impulses in the Austrian economy. are the chemicals industry and power generati- A comparison with European countries with a on and distribution equipment. These two in- similar economic structure to Austria shows the dustries provide significant impetus for R&D. strengths of the domestic innovation system Three domestic sectors of the manufacturing in- and makes reference to best practice examples. dustry boast a favourable combination of high The reference countries are Germany, the Net- R&D intensity, high value creation and struc- herlands, Denmark, Finland and Sweden. With tural integration in the economy. As such they an RTI performance comparable to that of Au- have strong potential to create momentum wit- stria and socio-economic similarities, these na- hin the Austrian NIS. When rubber and pla-

45 stics, machine building, medical tech- not a productive approach. Due to the intensi- creating knowledge nology and optics receive significant ty of their value creation, companies from the R&D impulses, the benefit to the NIS medium-tech sector are just as deserving of fun- is disproportionately high. Yet focusing ding as high-tech companies with their techno- exclusively on certain technology levels is logically spectacular products.

Study into GERD-to-GDP in 2020 (WIFO)

The study carried out by the Austrian Institu- at least EUR 4.8 billion by 2020, and private- te of Economic Research (WIFO) calculates sector R&D funding rising from its current le- different scenarios required to achieve the RTI vel of EUR 5.1 billion to at least EUR 9.6 bil- strategy goal of spending 3.76 percent of gross lion. If GDP growth were higher, these resour- domestic product on research and development. ces would also be greater. If this calculation is made on the basis of the If the research funding earmarked in Austria’s current figures, nominal GDP growth of two 2012–2015 Federal Budgetary Framework Act percent should result in public R&D resources (BFRG) is set against the direct federal resour- increasing from EUR 3.2 billion at present to ces needed to achieve the GERD-to-GDP tar-

Trajectory of GERD as a Percentage of GDP under the Federal Budgetary Framework Act 2012-2015

18 4 % 3,76 % 3,54 % 16 3,33 % 14 3,13 % 2,94 % 2,80 % 2,84 % 2,80 % 12 2,79 % 2,77 %

in bn. € 6

4 5,1 5,3 5,7 5,9 6,1 6,7 7,3 8,0 8,8 9,6 2

0 0 %

3,2 3,3 3,4 3,4 3,5 3,7 3,9 4,2 4,5 4,8

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

Publicly Funded R&D (GDP 2 % p.a.) Privately Funded R&D (GDP 2 % p.a.) Publicly Funded R&D (GDP 5 % p.a.) Privately Funded R&D (GDP 5 % p.a.)

Source: WIFO: Forschungspotenziale 2020. Vienna 2010, p. 14

46 gets, this results in a shortfall of EUR 84 mil- In the study the WIFO also calculates lion for 2012, with this rising to EUR 416 mil- how GERD-to-GDP targets are likely creating knowledge lion by 2015. Based on the figures specified in to develop if public research funding is the BFRG for 2012–2015, GERD-to-GDP neither substantially stepped up, nor si- would only rise slightly to 2.84 percent by 2013 gnificantly restructured. and then fall back to 2.77 percent in 2015. The following is apparent here: If private This is lower than the current level (2011: 2.79 R&D expenditure grows at the same rate as percent). GDP from 2012 onward and an increase in the To ensure that the GERD-to-GDP target of public research budget also leads to an equiva- 3.76 percent can still be achieved in 2020, both lent rise in private research finance, GERD-to- private and public spending on R&D would ha- GDP could reach between 2.74 and 2.84 per- ve to be stepped up accordingly. The adjustment cent by 2020. In other words: should the re- path that needs to be taken here from 2015 search resources promised in the BFRG cur- would then be significantly steeper. The WIFO rently in force be upheld, this would be just suf- is very doubtful that paths this steep are reali- ficient to maintain GERD-to-GDP at its cur- stic from 2015. If there were such a sharp in- rent level. Only if slightly higher values are as- crease in public research funding, it is questio- sumed would this figure approach 3.76. In this nable whether this could be absorbed in the case GERD-to-GDP would lie between 3.2 and short term: Are there sufficient R&D projects 3.3 percent in 2020. The WIFO however has in the pipeline that are ready for immediate doubts about the latter scenario, and it there- implementation? Are sufficient human resour- fore seems most realistic to assume a GERD - ces available in the form of highly qualified re- to-GDP that is in the region of the current fi- searchers? gure (2.84 percent), or at most three percent.

International affairs

EU consultation process – Research and development until 2020

In 2011 a number of important documents we- to the European Commission from all over re published by the European Commission as Europe, has been incorporated in the draft for preparation for the EU’s next budget period. In the new Framework Programme entitled Horizon this context the Austrian Council attended nu- 2020. This was published by the Commission at merous events in the same year, aimed in par- the end of November 2011 and sets out far-rea- ticular at allowing it to exchange information ching objectives for the funding of European re- and form opinions. search in terms of both content and structure. The Green Paper (COM (2011) 48) published in The Austrian Council contributed to the Austri- February 2011 has acted as a starting point for pu- an negotiating position coordinated by the Mini- blic debate about future EU funding of research stry for Science and Research (BMWF) by submit- and development. The outcome of this process, ting a comment in this regard and will continue which included the submission of detailed inputs to act as an observer and advisor in this process.

47 Green Paper “From Challenges to Opportunities: Towards a Common Strategic Framework creating knowledge for EU Research and Innovation Funding” COM (2011) 48

The statement of the Austrian Council ral funds should provide a basis for funding the regarding the Common Strategic Frame- overall innovation process that is readily under- work (CSF), which was formulated in Eng- standable and simple to manage. Known pro- lish, was submitted to the European Commis- blems in accessing funding for research need to sion as a contribution to the public debate in be solved, the relevant processes simplified, and May 2011. Its content can be summarised as time-to-contract and accounting periods made follows: shorter. The Austrian Council welcomes the emphasis It is necessary to close the existing gap between given by the CSF to the future societal challen- applied research and the market while ensuring ges addressed in the Europe 2020 strategy and a crossover between regional and European pro- also simplification of the RTI system through grammes. All forms of participation and scien- the harmonisation of funding instruments. The tific dialogue with society should raise aware- long-term seven-year perspectives for finance ness of the innovation process, extending from and content should be used to above all incor- society to policy-makers. The CSF must not porate small and medium-sized companies in only ensure that excellence of research is ancho- the European research landscape, in addition to red in higher education but also facilitate mo- institutions which to date have only operated at bility. These aspects should be emphasised in all a regional level. funding instruments to make scientific careers Both the European, national and regional finan- more attractive. ce schemes and the resources from the structu-

Contribution of the Council for Research and Technology Development to the proposal of the Eu- ropean Commission regarding Horizon 2020 in the framework of the national consultation process

When it comes to the Framework Programmes All associated measures to encourage mobility of the EU, the role of the Austrian Council for among researchers form an important basis for Research and Technology Development is to providing ideal work conditions for intellectu- observe and advise. Here it is keen to ensure op- al capital throughout Europe. Here equal treat- timum design as well as the effective development for female researchers must be ensured in ment of first-class research. Based on its state- every respect. ment of 19.5.2011 (Green Paper COM (2011) It is essential to give consideration to all groups 48), the stance of the Austrian Council regar- involved in the innovation process: the Austri- ding the proposal put forward by the Europe- an Council calls for the incorporation of SMEs an Commission (EC) in relation to Horizon as well as the creation of a framework for risk 2020 is as follows: capital financing. In its current formulation the The transparent and straightforward breakdown identification of key technologies (Priority 2) of Horizon 2020 into three key areas is in line with and societal challenges (Priority 3) is still so- a major improvement requested by the Austrian mewhat unclear and requires a more precise de- Council in this regard. When seen in conjuncti- finition. on with the financial split within these areas, this The measures contained in the EC proposal, is gives a clear signal towards scientific excellence. which aim to greatly simplify accounting pro-

48 cedures for the research community, are very ges will not be solved through technical welcome. In conjunction with the Green Paper perspectives alone; it is only by taking in- creating knowledge the Austrian Council has already asked for the to account social innovation and inter- improvements and harmonisation to be exten- disciplinary solution processes that ded to include other funding instruments and Europe will manage to achieve the goals set programmes. The Austrian Council considers out in the Horizon 2020 programme and that the need for action is particularly urgent in establish the results in a global market. the case of the Structural Funds – which, accor- It is essential to coordinate the content of Ho- ding to the EC, are now linked more closely rizon 2020 with national and regional research with the Horizon 2020 programme and are funding programmes and ensure that this is provided with substantial budgets for innova- seen as part of the country’s participation stra- tion. Unlike Horizon 2020, the funding guide- tegy. In particular, public-public partnerships lines of the Structural Funds are drawn up at a (e.g. ERA-Nets, Art. 185) must be considered national level. In the Council’s view the insti- as part of Horizon 2020 and offered substanti- tutions with national responsibility need to gi- al national funding in the relevant member ve consideration to the simplifications put for- states – including Austria by means of appro- ward in the EC proposal regarding Horizon priate budget planning. 2020 when developing national guidelines in The Austrian Council welcomes the strong con- the interest of real harmonisation. sensus between the EC proposal regarding Ho- The emphasis on societal challenges in the EC rizon 2020 and the content of the Austrian go- proposal underlines the importance of this is- vernment’s reflection paper and the response sue and is also in line with the thinking of the of the Austrian Council to the Green Paper Austrian Council. The involvement of society (COM (2011) 48). The Council also considers is intended to open up a dialogue with re- it important for further implementation mea- searchers and raise awareness for their scienti- sures to all take place swiftly so the preparati- fic achievements. ons for introduction on 1.1.2014 can be under- Highlighting this dialog in the strategy docu- taken to the necessary extent, not just by the ments could give this key element of the research EC, but also by the researchers. Where possible, agenda added importance while helping to dimi- acceptance of the EC proposal by the Europe- nish the discrepancy existing between open (blue an Parliament and the Council of Europe sky) research and solutions for specific problems should therefore take place in the first half of (agenda-driven activities). The societal challen- 2013.

Fact-finding mission to the Netherlands and international meeting of the councils in The Hague – 18/19 May 2011

According to the 2009–2010 Global Competiti- 1.76 percent of GDP in 2008 and 1.84 percent veness Report the Netherlands is among the ten in 2009. This prompted the Austrian Council to most competitive and innovative nations world- investigate the discrepancy by setting off on a fact- wide. It has an outstanding education system (ran- finding mission in conjunction with the interna- ked 10th) and excellent research institutes (ranked tional meeting of the councils in The Hague. 7th). However, when it comes to investing in What makes the Dutch innovation system so spe- R&D, the Netherlands only occupy a middle po- cial? First of all, public funding accounts for a re- sition within the EU: R&D merely accounted for latively large share of research and development.

49 The reasons for this include the strong fore SMEs to become involved in the innovation creating knowledge cus on the service sector of the country’s process in future, the instrument of “Innovation economy, as well as the fact that R&D is Vouchers” was introduced by the Dutch govern- concentrated in a small number of large or- ment in 2006. ganisations (e.g. Philips). To encourage mo-

Netherlands Austria Surface area 41,528 km2 83,879 km2 Population (2009) 16,485,787 8,355,260 Per capita GDP (in € PPS) (2009) 30,800 29,300 GERD as a Percentage of GDP (2009) 1.84 2.79 Rate of employment 20-64 year olds (as a % of the age cohort) (2009) 78.8 74.7 Spending on education (as a % of GDP) (2007) 5.32 5.4 Proportion of 30 to 34-year-olds who have completed higher education (as a % of the age cohort) 40.5 23.5

Secondly, science in the Netherlands is characte- At the time of the visit the situation in the Net- rised by a high level of networking. Given the re- herlands was characterised by a change in RTI latively narrow scientific basis (due to the small policy, being brought about by: size of the country’s population), networking is a the financial crisis and economic and the re- key prerequisite for the success of Dutch research. sulting need for budget consolidation In the course of a one-day fact-finding mis- political reconfiguration (minority govern- sion meetings were held with representatives ment consisting of Liberals and Christian De- from the following institutions: mocrats) Dorette Corbey, Secretary to the Dutch Advi- Despite the predictions for the immediate fu- sory Council for Science and Technology Policy (AWT) ture being thus somewhat uncertain, a number Jan Karel Koppen, Director Policy Develop- of key points became clear from the discussions. ment and Support at the Netherlands Organisati- The Dutch RTI sector is structured as a multi-le- on for Scientific Research – Research Council (NWO) vel system. The two key players in the field of Francien Heijs, Deputy Director Research R&D are firstly, the Ministry for Education, Cul- and Science Policy at the Ministry for Education, ture and Science (OCW), which is responsible for Culture and Science science and research policy, the universities, the Gé Linssen, Deputy Director Enterprise and research organisations, the Netherlands Organi- Innovation at the Ministry for Economic Affairs, sation for Scientific Research (NWO) and the Agriculture and Innovation Academy of Arts and Sciences, and secondly, the Jos Leijten, Senior Scientist at the Netherlands Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO) Innovation, in charge of innovation policy, pri-

50 vate R&D, the TNO, tax incentives and IPR. organisational changes at an institu- The two ministries bear joint responsibility for tional level (establishment of new insti- creating knowledge the EU Competitiveness Council, public - tutions: research consortia, private-pu- private partnerships (PPPs) and the interface blic partnerships, joint technology in- between science and industry. itiatives) The two most important bodies providing ad- transfer of responsibility for the institutes vice to the Ministry for Education, Culture and away from government to the NWO and Science are the AWT (Advisory Council for Sci- KNAW ence and Technology Policy) and the KNAW greater complexity in the distribution of fun- (Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sci- ding ences), which themselves consult with other ad- The objectives of the Education Ministry are visory bodies, and the NWO (Netherlands Or- thus as follows in coming years: ganisation for Scientific Research), which addi- self-management in scientific disciplines tionally maintains its own research institutes. a focus on excellence through the Talent De- The AWT (Advisory Council for Science and velopment Programme Technology Policy) acts as an independent ad- investment in three key scientific sectors in visory body to the Dutch government and par- agreement with the agendas of government and liament in all issues of research policy, techno- industry logical development and innovation. Consul- The Ministry for Economic Affairs, Agricultu- tancy is provided on request or at the AWT’s re and Innovation considers that, as regards own initiative. R&D policy, there needs to be a change to so- The NWO (Netherlands Organisation for called industrial policy, involving: Scientific Research) operates as a project spon- changes to financial incentives: “away from sor for the Ministry for Education, Culture and funding to loans”, with “greater emphasis being Science, which also supplies most of its budget. placed on tax incentives” Funding largely focuses on basic research, with changes in the R&D system: a focus on nine “societally inspired research” and “curiosity specific ‘top sectors’ (energy, food, water, cut- driven research” not standing in opposition to ting-edge technology, life sciences, chemistry, lo- each other, but according to the philosophy of gistics, the creative industries and agriculture). the NOW, belonging together. Partners from the ‘triumvirate’ of government The responsibilities of the NWO include: – industry – institutions are to draw up a de- competitive research funding tailed plan for each of these top sectors contai- enabling scientific research to excel ning specific implementation stages in order to competition and selection via peer review improve the climate for innovation in the con- funds more than 5,000 scientific researchers text of industry. (at Dutch universities) The following objectives have been set here: knowledge utilisation (transfer of knowledge) ensuring deregulation Funding is awarded on a competitive basis. The boosting exports approval rate for the projects submitted is providing adequately qualified staff around 32 percent. creating an outstanding basis for research strengthening cooperation between industry From the viewpoint of the Ministry for Educa- and the universities tion, Culture and Science the following structu- In this context criticism has been heard from ral trends have emerged in recent years: the Education Ministry, which complained that increase in structural complexity the nine top sectors were not chosen according

51 to scientific but economic criteria. As logy. The output of the TNO research institu- creating knowledge there is no additional (“new”) money tions is greater than that of the universities. available here, this would in future me- The financial crisis has had a major impact on an doing away with many other impor- the TNO, as there has been a sharp fall in in- tant areas of research. come from public funding. The organisation is The TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Ap- now becoming increasingly active at a Europe- plied Scientific Research) is ultimately the largest an level (Joint Institute for Innovation Policy). institution for the promotion of applied research. Two trends have been forecast by the TNO: It is also responsible for exploring the innovati- the previous emphasis on innovation is now ve potential available to industry and the State. veering towards industrial policy (keyword: top The TNO carries out research under contract sectors) and acts as a link between basic research and its a call for excellence from all quarters. application throughout the spectrum of techno-

Fact-finding mission to the USA – 5 to 13 September 2011

From 5 to 13 September 2011 a delegation from the US President on science, research and tech- the Austrian Council consisting of Hannes An- nology, Director of the White House Office of Sci- drosch, Karin Schaupp and Ludovit Garzik, ac- ence and Technology Policy (OSTP) , and Co-Chair companied by Deputy Director-General Ingolf of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Schädler (BMVIT) set off on a fact-finding mis- Technology (PCAST) , and Kei Koizumi, Assistant sion to the United States of America. Their task Director for budget issues at the OSTP was to research the impact of the financial cri- International Monetary Fund: Johann Pra- sis on research and innovation in the USA. der, Alternate Executive Director of the Interna- The following institutions or their representa- tional Monetary Fund (IMF) tives were available as discussion partners: American Association for the Advancement of Information Technology & Innovation Foun- Science: Alan Leshner, Chief Executive Officer dation (ITIF): Robert Atkinson, President of of the American Association for the Advancement of the ITIF and member of the National Innovati- Science (AAAS) and Executive Publisher of “Sci- on and Competitiveness Strategy Advisory Board of the ence”, and Vaughan Turekian, Chief Internatio- Department of Commerce, and Stephen Ezell, Se- nal Officer of the AAAS, and Tom Wang, Direc- nior Analyst at the ITIF tor of International Coordination at the AAAS US Senate: Tom Walls, Chief Counsel and Le- International Bank for Reconstruction and gislative Director, and Nathan Steinwald, Se- Development (IBRD): Philippe Houerou, Vi- nior Economic Advisor to Senator Mark War- ce President, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Re- ner, member of the Senate Committee on Banking, gion at the IBRD Housing and Urban Affairs and the Senate Commit- The following picture of the current situation tee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in the United States emerged from the talks: American Bankers Association: Wayne A. The US administration is convinced of the im- Abernathy, Executive Vice President, Financial portance of public spending on R&D: this was Institutions Policy & Regulatory Affairs of the Ameri- already made plain by the President in his speech can Bankers Association to the National Academies in 2009. In additi- White House Office of Science and Techno- on, President Obama has always stressed the logy Policy: John P. Holdren, senior advisor to need for a new Sputnik moment, underpinning

52 this in February 2011 with publication of the Studies carried out by the ITIF indica- paper “A Strategy for American Innovation”. te that the position of manufacturing in creating knowledge With regard to the question of “education/trai- the USA is even worse than has fre- ning” the delegation was told that this questi- quently already been portrayed. Accor- on has top priority for President Obama (“the dingly, the production growth rate is lo- single most important issue”). Here he also has wer than generally stated, as output has been the backing of industry, particularly in the fra- overestimated for electronics, computers and mework of the “Educate to Innovate” initiati- the oil industry – one only has to think of the ve. Industry has realised that in future, there will rising oil prices here. The job losses seen in this not be sufficient qualified labour and appropria- sector are not primarily due to any increase in te action needs to be taken to counteract this. productivity but to a real fall in output (-10%), When asked about the current situation of something that in turn is linked to the inabili- R&D in the USA, the American discussion ty of the branch to compete at an international partners said that it is essential not to overlook level. the importance of the manufacturing sector he- Over the last 10 to 15 years no jobs have been re. Manufacturing plays a key role in the USA created in the USA in the so-called traded sec- as an innovator and R&D actor (accounting tor (goods produced in export-oriented fields, for some 70 percent of industrial R&D alt- e.g. automobiles, but also including software hough its contribution to the economy is only etc., as against the non-traded sector). As an ex- eleven percent). This sector is generally the porter, the USA now lags behind Japan, China most innovative player in America’s national and Europe. The American discussion partners economy. The current situation is thus worry- remarked that although the USA comes up with ing given the fact that this sector only grew by good ways of mastering challenges, there is a five percent between 2000 and 2009, while the lack of funding or it is blocked by Congress. US economy saw growth of 15 percent in the When asked about the current US budget situa- same period.6 tion, the discussion partners said that it was

Decline in Manufacturing Employment in the USA (in 1,000)

18.000

17.000

16.000

15.000

14.000

13.000

12.000

11.000

10.000 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Source: ITIF; Worse Than the Great Depression: What Experts Are Missing About American Manufacturing Decline. Washington 2012, p. 5

6 In comparison, the Austrian manufacturing sector recorded slight growth in the same period.

53 Select Country Share of World Manufacturing Output (in %), 1970–2008 creating knowledge 35

25 USA 20 China 15 Japan 10 Germany 5

0 1970 1980 1990 2000 2005 2008 Source: ITIF; Worse Than the Great Depression: What Experts Are Missing About American Manufacturing Decline. Washington 2012, p. 47

not possible to predict how the debate about the diture of up to ten percent compared with 2011 economy and budget would develop in the has been put forward for 2013. The previous ye- country. Previous debate had focused too stron- ar saw a small fall in the R&D budget (-3.5%) gly on the issue of deficit reduction and not compared with 2010, so indicating a steady de- enough on economic growth. The rate of cline in the government budget for R&D. growth is slow, making it difficult to come up This does not send out a positive signal, parti- with an all-encompassing solution. There is al- cularly where young scientists are concerned. so the problem that the Tea Party is largely ve- The average age for award of the first indepen- toing federal expenditure in Congress, so that dent National Institute of Health (NIH) re- compromise seems unlikely here. And without search grant is already 42 years (National Sci- the right signals from Congress the Federal Re- ence Foundation – NSF: 37 years), so making serve Bank (Fed) is also extremely reluctant to a career as a researcher unattractive. This trend act. This state of paralysis in the USA is not dis- calls into question the position of the USA as similar to the situation the EU finds itself in. a centre of research on a long-term basis. According to the American discussion partners European developments in the R&D sector on greater economic growth can only be achieved the other hand are seen in a positive light. Ex- in the long term through investment in R&D perts in America perceive Europe as catching up and innovation. Providing the country’s popu- with the USA, with the greater mobility of lation with a good education is key here. In the scientists being seen as an advantage here. greentech sector momentum has been lost not As regards the economic crisis in Europe the least with the failure of the US Senate to appro- discussion partners said that they view this above climate legislation in 2010. ve all as a crisis of confidence, and Europe needs When questioned about the situation of the to be stronger if she is to overcome this. Edu- US banks, the Americans said that it was not cation is seen as playing a crucial role here. possible to stimulate economic growth in the Discussions in the USA on the question of short USA, given the stagnation in the housing mar- to medium-term economic development in ket and the equally stagnating banking sector. Europe, mainly envisage one of two scenarios: This meant that there would be no significant “muddling through”, a situation that is slow improvement on the labour market. and difficult, or Nor does the situation for R&D budgets look “a more catastrophic scenario, where Italy bright in the US. In fact, a reduction in expen- and Spain implode”.

54 Visit of the Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister of New Zealand – 25 October 2011 creating knowledge On 25.10.2011 Sir Peter Gluckman, the Chief to raise awareness for science and re- Science Advisor of New Zealand’s Prime Minister, search. The Long Night of Research was paid a visit to the offices of the Austrian Coun- thus also a key issue of the discussions. The cil for Research and Technology Development. preparations for the meeting were made by the The focus of these talks was a comparison bet- Embassy of New Zealand and the Secretariat of ween the structures of the RTI system of Austria the Austrian Council. The New Zealand Ambas- and New Zealand. Peter Gluckman was particu- sador Philip Griffiths, who accompanied Peter larly interested in the procedure applied by Au- Gluckman during the talks, extended an official stria when drawing up the RTI strategy of the Fe- invitation to the Austrian Council to pay a return deral Government and the measures undertaken visit to New Zealand for in-depth discussions.

Fact-Finding Mission to Singapore and Vietnam – 25–30 November 2011

From 25 to 30.11.2011 the Austrian Council sent nal Council for Science and Technology Policy a delegation on a visit to Hanoi and Singapore. In (NCSTP). Hanoi the agenda for Saturday, 26 November, in- It was the NCSTP who had invited the Austrian cluded visits to Austrian companies and meetings Council for Research and Technology Develop- with members of Austria’s external representation ment to this workshop. The objective was to des- in Vietnam. On Monday, 28 November, this was cribe Austria’s experiences in relation to developing followed by a workshop dealing with the issue RTI strategy and monitoring its implementation. “Development of RTI strategies and monitoring The workshop was a result of two official visits to of implementation” held with the Vietnamese Mi- Vienna made by representatives of the National nistry for Science and Technology and the Natio- Council for Science and Technology Policy and

Members of the Austrian Council and the Secretariat at the National Research Foundation in Singapore

55 the Ministry for Science and Technology ment of its task of observing and evaluating inter- creating knowledge in October 2009 and April 2011. national trends and developments according to the A two-day discussion programme was presentation before the Council of Ministers on then held in Singapore on 29 and 30 No- 9 September 2010 – the Austrian Council was ex- vember. The agenda included meetings with tremely interested in analysing Singapore as an all key players of the national innovation sy- RTI site more closely. The basis for this was talks stem. Singapore is one of the countries that come with representatives from the Ministry for Trade out top in a number of international rankings and Industry (MTI) and the Economic Develop- such as the Global Competitiveness Report of the ment Board (EDB), the National Research Foun- World Economic Forum, the Doing Business Re- dation (NRF), the Agency for Science, Technolo- port of the International Bank for Reconstructi- gy and Research (A*STAR) / Fusionopolis & Bio- on and Development, the IMD’s World Compe- polis, in addition to Nanyang Technological Uni- titiveness Yearbook or the Global Innovation In- versity (NTU) and the National University of dex of INSEAD. For this reason – and in fulfil- Singapore (NUS).

International meeting of the secretariats of the European research councils – Brussels, 7 December 2011

The secretariats came together in Brussels on Scientific social responsibility can be interpre- 7 December to prepare for the next meeting of ted as the responsibility incumbent on scien- the European research councils. As is the case tists to assess the perspectives and opportuni- every year, the main item on the agenda was to ties for dedicating their research and educati- select a topic for the next meeting of the coun- on to the needs of society and its benefit. The cils in Copenhagen scheduled for May 2012. issue here is to optimise both the impact and After some debate France’s proposal was the to- benefits of science. This attitude embodies the pic that was finally chosen: “The translation of re- three-pronged approach of value generation in search results into economic and social value”. The key- science and in particular in higher education – word “social value” also took account of the Da- namely, the publication of scientific results, nish proposal of highlighting the issue of “soci- the dissemination of knowledge and the tea- al scientific responsibility”. ching of students.

China as an emerging force in research to open up EU programmes to China. Overall, and innovation coordination and agreement are required on the The research council in the Netherlands was asked part of Europe. There are already a number of Eu- by the Dutch government to submit a recommen- ropean initiatives in China that have neither been dation as to how cooperation could take place coordinated, nor are known to the other side. with China in the field of research, development France meanwhile has extensive experience in co- and innovation. What form should such collabo- operating with China and is a key player in this ration take? Where did the research council see op- sector. It was thus decided to organise a top-level portunities and risks for science and industry? The- meeting about China for the European secretari- se questions have also been preoccupying most of ats in the spring of 2012, under the direction of the other councils. Finland for example is current- the French secretariat. The joint discussion was ly trying to coordinate its national activities vis-à- then followed by a presentation made by a repre- vis China. The EU is busy working on a new stra- sentative of the OECD, Laudeline Auriol, regar- tegy for China, with one of the possibilities being ding the career opportunities for PhDs in Europe.

56 events New Year Reception – 17 January 2011 events Monday, 17 January 2011, was the date as Doris Bures (Ministry for Transport, Innova- chosen by the Austrian Council for its in- tion and Technology - BMVIT), Beatrix Karl vitation to a New Year Reception to be held (formerly Ministry for Science and Research - for the first time at the Ringturm building. BMWF) and Reinhold Mitterlehner (Ministry Some 70 members of the research community, in for Economic Affairs, Family and Youth - addition to key figures from industry and politics, BMWFJ), in addition to Erich Foglar (Austrian seized the opportunity to exchange views. The at- Trade Union Federation) and Veit Sorger (Fede- tendees included ministerial representatives such ration of Austrian Industries).

From left to right: President of the Austrian Trade Union Federation Erich Foglar, Deputy Chairman of the Austrian Council Peter Skalicky, Minister Beatrix Karl, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Veit Sorger, Minister Doris Bures, Minister Reinhard Mitterlehner, Chairman of the Austrian Council Hannes Androsch

Closed-door meeting and round table – 19 January 2011

To kick off its first closed-door meeting since the ployed at the country’s ministries, agencies and re- reconstitution of the Austrian Council in Septem- search institutions, Prof. Dr. Karl Aiginger, head ber 2010, the Council held a round table at Lan- of the Austrian Institute of Economic Research, genlois to look at the issue of research, technolo- made a keynote speech on the subject of “Reform gy and innovation in Austria. The objective of this gridlocked for education and research in Austria”. meeting was to discuss further development of He emphasised that not only the competitive Austria as a centre of science and research toget- ability of the country, but also the life of every in- her with stakeholders and representatives from in- habitant depended on education and research. stitutions of the RTI community. All invitees we- In times of tight budgets the necessary resources re able to take part in the debate in order to put could only be made available by improvements in forward the views of their organisation on RTI efficiency or reductions in the current scope of policy as well as ideas for the future working pro- work. gramme of the Austrian Council. The Chairman of the Austrian Council, Dr. Han- At a session attended by more than forty top-le- nes Androsch, drew the resulting conclusions he- vel representatives of the Austrian RTI sector em- re and stressed that the Austrian Council planned

58 to systematically draw attention to duplicate The results of the round table were incor- structures and fragmentation as they resulted in porated in the working programme of events inefficiency. He said that the Austrian Council the Austrian Council at the subsequent would be increasingly looking beyond the borders closed-door meeting. The schemes and of Austria and analysing international develop- projects planned for 2011 and following ments. He also reasserted the Council’s declared years were subsequently published by the Au- commitment to greater investment in education strian Council in a report entitled “Working Pro- and research. gramme 2011+”.

Famelab 2011 – 7 May 2012

Education, science and research are of prime importance when it comes to mastering existing The Austrian Council has been linked to the Fa- and coming challenges and securing Austria’s fu- meLab talent competition over many years of co- ture as a centre of business. It is thus all the mo- operation. And 2011 was no different. Heats held re worrying that the inhabitants of Austria have in some of Austria’s provincial capitals once again little interest in the dual concept of science/re- selected candidates who were able to present their search. Public awareness of this issue is essential research subject in a scientifically correct and un- if they are to recognise the social relevance of sci- derstandable manner that was nevertheless inter- ence and research, yet the general public is ill-in- esting and unusual. At the final held in Vienna formed about the outstanding achievements of on 7 May 2011, the winner was Philipp Am- the country’s researchers. Major importance the- bichl from Vienna University of Technology with refore attaches to all communication formats his paper “The stressed wave”. This also meant which allow scientists, in particular junior re- that the physicist was the person chosen to repre- searchers, to make their work known to wider sec- sent Austria at the Cheltenham Science Festival tors of the population. held in Great Britain in June.

Workshop: Research Infrastructure – 10 May 2011

If research infrastructure is to be developed Research infrastructures are concentrated at properly and used efficiently, better coordina- the universities and industrial sites. tion will be required in future 54 percent of the existing research infrastruc- According to a survey commissioned by the tures listed were set up / put into service in the Austrian Council, Austria currently finds itself past five years. in the following situation when it comes to re- More than half of all existing research infra- search infrastructure: structures listed incurred procurement costs of 63 percent of all research infrastructures sur- over EUR 500,000. veyed come under the category of Higher Edu- More than half of the research infrastructu- cation. res were largely (80 to 100 percent) the subject The key areas of “Life Sciences”, “Nano and of public funding. Materials Science” and “Environment, Energy Three-quarters of research infrastructures are and Sustainability” account for 53 percent of all used within the organisation. research infrastructures listed in the study. Among the organisations surveyed the need

59 for new investment and expansion in Certainty of planning and adequate, long-term events the period 2010–2014 totals approx. funding were adopted by the “Cost and Fun- EUR 250 million per year, with around ding” work group as key requirements for the 60 percent involving public funding. successful development of research infrastruc- These findings indicate that improved ture. Differentiated funding approaches are to planning and efficient usage of the financi- be applied for basic, mid-size and large-scale real resources available for research infrastructure search infrastructure and greater cooperation can only be achieved with proper coordination at a national level to ensure that investment, between the organisations responsible. However, operating and maintenance costs are covered making improvements to planning also calls for on a long-term basis. long-term commitments to investment, which The challenges in relation to supraregional prio- include all cost factors over the entire “lifecycle”. ritisation were pinpointed by the “Sites and The Austrian Council for Research and Tech- Profile Building” work group. The relevant nology Development took this as an opportu- players at a national and regional level need to nity to organise an RTI Infrastructure workshop consult more closely to permit the formation of on 10 May 2011. The event was attended by 55 critical masses and increased visibility of flag- participants from higher education, politics, ship projects. It is hoped that the definition of development funds, industry and special inte- national priorities will provide for thematic in- rest groups and ensured high-level discussions terlinking with international projects. about the future development of research infra- Debate within the “Cooperation” work group structures. revolved around operator models for infrastruc- The results of the workshop, recommendati- ture facilities, incentive systems for industry ons and key discussion points from the work and opportunities for marketing infrastructure groups are a further part of an active and flexi- services. An infrastructure platform to be set up ble process ensuring strategic support for the in the future is to provide a better overview of coordinated development of Austria’s national planned projects and to define best-practice research infrastructure. models.

Event organised by the Austrian Council with the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) on the topic of “Austrian research and innovation policy in times of growing global dynamics” – 6 June 2011

6 June 2011 was the date chosen by the Austri- “In recent years we have seen a significant in- an Council and the Federation of Austrian In- tensification of global dynamics and the major dustries for its invitation to an event entitled challenges to society that this brings. Policy-ma- “Austrian research and innovation policy in ti- kers are therefore expected to forge new soluti- mes of growing global dynamics” to be held at ons and create suitable framework conditions – the Haus der Industrie in Vienna. The speakers including for research, technology and innova- included Austria’s Minister of Finance, Maria tion”, commented Dr. Hannes Androsch, Fekter, the President of the Fraunhofer Gesell- Chairman of the Austrian Council, in his intro- schaft, Germany, Hans-Jörg Bullinger, and the ductory speech to the event. Director of Competitiveness, Industry and Re- He added that analysis has shown that over the search Society of the European Council in Brus- last twenty years the social and economic frame- sels, Jiří Buriánek. work conditions have developed faster in Au-

60 stria than the political debate and associated swift implementation of the Govern- decision-making processes. This means there is ment’s RTI strategy: “We should waste events a significant gulf between the results of Austria no time in pinpointing and realising and comparable European states in terms of the necessary measures so we can actual- current rankings and statistics. The country has ly catch up with Europe’s frontrunners by in particular postponed the necessary structu- 2020.” Sorger also cited the severe shortage ral reforms to public administration and the of natural science and technology graduates as pension and healthcare systems for years. As a well as specialist technicians as another pro- result Austria is already feeling a lack of resour- blem confronting Austria: “Some three-quarters ces in key sectors of tomorrow. of all large companies engaged in research are Dr. Veit Sorger, President of the Federation of already actively seeking engineers. If this trend Austrian Industries, also spoke out in favour of continues, economic development in Austria

From left to right: Chairman of the Austrian Council Hannes Androsch, Minister Maria Fekter, President of the Federation of Austrian Industries Veit Sorger

On the Podium: Hans-Jörg-Bullinger, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

61 will soon be adversely affected. This is- pean Council, Brussels, Belgium) events sue must therefore be given high poli- Peter Egger (Professor of Economics, Swiss tical priority.” Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH In the context of these findings there Zurich, Switzerland) then followed a number of interesting Maria Fekter (Minister of Finance, Austria) keynotes, which were then debated by the Caroline Fenwick (Assistant Director Re- high-profile discussion partners. The event was search Base Directorate, Department of Busi- chaired by Gisela Hopfmüller-Hlavac. ness, Innovation and Skills, Great Britain) Overview of speakers and panellists (in alpha- Ruperta Lichtenecker (Chair of the Parlia- betical order): mentary Committee for Research, Innovation Karl Aiginger (head of the Austrian Institute and Technology, Austria) of Economic Research) Gerhard Riemer (head of the Education, In- Hannes Androsch (Chairman of the Austri- novation and Research Division, Federation of an Council for Research and Technology Deve- Austrian Industries, Austria) lopment) Peter Skalicky (Deputy Chairman of the Au- Hans-Jörg Bullinger (President of the Fraun- strian Council for Research and Technology hofer Gesellschaft, Germany) Development) Jiří Buriánek (Director Competitiveness, In- Veit Sorger (President of the Federation of dustry, Research & Information Society; Euro- Austrian Industries, Austria)

Innovation strategies and impact monitoring with the example of renewable energy – 28 June 2011

In order to cope better with the major challen- logy Development and the Climate and Ener- ges we will be confronting in future, the mem- gy Fund to organise an event “Innovation stra- ber states of the International Energy Agency tegies and impact monitoring with the example (IEA) are already being encouraged to docu- of renewable energy” at the ceremonial hall of ment and analyse their energy and research po- Vienna University of Technology. The aim was licies and to develop appropriate measures from to describe developments observed during 2010 such analysis. This is why regular energy re- in relation to biomass, photovoltaics, solar ther- search surveys are carried out in Austria, in ad- mal energy and heat pumps, report about value dition to the observation and interpretation of / job creation effects from the use of solid bio- technological and economic trends in selected mass, biogenic fuels and biogas in different key areas. The Austrian Council’s energy re- energy price scenarios and demonstrate the search strategy provides for the establishment of technological perspectives and potential for a comprehensive monitoring system and strate- growth and exports offered by renewable ener- gic control for energy research. The Federal Go- gy systems. This was then compared with fun- vernment has also noted in its RTI strategy that damental considerations of innovation monito- the monitoring of the impact of RTI measures ring to illustrate the role they could play, par- and the development of strategic priorities are ticularly in the field of renewable energy. key elements for an active technology policy. The event started with a welcome speech ope- For this reason the Ministry for Transport, In- ning the meeting made by the Deputy Chair- novation and Technology joined forces with man of the Austrian Council Peter Skalicky and the Austrian Council for Research and Techno- the Managing Director of Kli.En (Climate And

62 Energy Fund), Theresia Vogel. This was follo- various experts on the issue of strategy wed by an introduction by Michael Paula development and innovation monito- events (BMVIT), in addition to papers presented by ring in the energy research sector.

Press conference in Alpbach on the topic of research infrastructure – 25 August 2011

On 25 August the Austrian Council inaugura- (cf. page 36) were thrown open for discussion ted its “Research Infrastructure Platform” at a by a large community with the help of Web press conference held within the framework of 2.0 technology. the Alpbach Technology Forum. The aim of The outcome of the consultation process staged this initiative, which ran until the end of Oct- in the framework of the “Research Infrastruc- ober 2011, was to ensure not only more effi- ture Platform” is to be incorporated in future cient usage, but also greater coordination for the planning and will also be reported in a publi- development of research infrastructure throug- cation to be issued by the Austrian Council. hout Austria. “The platform will offer a better In the long term the web platform could offer overview of planned projects and encourage the organisations active in this sector efficient plan- start of cooperation at an early stage”, remarked ning support and encourage cooperation as re- Rector Dr. Skalicky, Deputy Chairman of the gards usage of the available research infrastruc- Austrian Council, explaining the background to tures. In addition, it can serve as a basis when this platform. making decisions regarding the set-up and de- At the press conference Dr. Karin Schaupp em- velopment of supraregional and national re- phasised that the new level of transparency will search infrastructures. in future make it easier to define and present Peter Skalicky, the Deputy Chairman of the best-practice models that act as an example for Austrian Council, summed up the situation by the development and operation of large-scale re- saying: “To maintain the international standard search infrastructures. of our research, we do not just need new fun- To achieve these objectives, the results of a stu- ding models, but above all greater willingness dy commissioned by the Austrian Council (per- in terms of coordination and cooperation. The formed by Austin, Pock & Partners) and the Research Infrastructure Platform will make a si- conclusions from a workshop held in May 2011 gnificant contribution here.”

Alpbach Working Committee – 26 August 2011

IIn the framework of the Alpbach Technology te regarding quantification of Austria’s R&D Forum 2011 a working committee was organi- output and thus the efficiency of the invest- sed by the Austrian Council for Friday, 26 Au- ments made in this field. gust to look at the issue “Efficiency of RTI In- There are ever-increasing calls for the award of vestment”. resources for research and development to de- Here the Council was addressing a highly topi- pend to a greater extent on their quantifiable ef- cal issue. The increasing scarcity of national fects and performance. In times when decisions budget resources is acting to intensify the deba- about economic policy are being taken more

63 and more on the basis of international puty Director-General for Research and Inno- events rankings (e.g. the European Innovation vation at the European Commission, Julia La- Union Scoreboard), the question arises ne, Program Director of the National Science as to how R&D output can be quanti- Foundation, and Ruperta Lichtenecker, a Mem- fied in a meaningful manner. ber of the Austrian Parliament and Chair of These issues were debated by a high-profile the Parliamentary Committee for Research, In- panel which included the following persons: novation and Technology. The working com- Christian Keuschnigg, the designated Director mittee was chaired by Karin Schaupp, manage- of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Pro- ment consultant and a member of the Austri- fessor for Economics at the University of St. an Council. Gallen (Switzerland), Wolfgang Burtscher, De-

Visit to Güssing – 4 September 2011

In cooperation with the Ministry for Transport, the “Güssing Model”. In addition, the visitors Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) the Au- were informed about the ongoing research acti- strian Council coordinated a fact-finding missi- vities of the K1-centre “Bioenergy 2020+” and on to the European Centre for Renewable Ener- also undertook various tours of the complex. gy at Güssing on 14 September 2011. The agen- They were additionally shown round the research da included an exchange of views about the is- centre and learnt about its individual research sue of renewable energy and a presentation on projects.

Event “Education in Austria: the plaything of the policy-makers?” as part of the “Austria 2050” series of events – 2 November 2011

On 2 November the Austrian Council teamed up cation Policy in the 21st Century” with a detai- with its media partner “Die Presse” to stage a de- led comparison of the most recent PISA results bate with a panel of experts at the Austrian Aca- for Austrian and Finnish schoolchildren and demy of Sciences to consider the issue “Educa- then looked at the differences between the edu- tion in Austria: the plaything of the policy-ma- cation systems of the two countries. “His most kers?”. With the assertion, “The Austrian educa- important comment was that education does tion system is in urgent need of reform, and Fin- not just revolve around reading literacy but do- land can and should serve as an example to us in es depend on it to an enormous extent. Speci- many regards,” the Chairman of the Austrian al efforts therefore need to be made here.” Council, Hannes Androsch, called for the ‘Fin- This was followed by a panel discussion, which landisation’ of Austrian’s education policy. not only included Hannes Androsch and Jou- Why Finland offers a model here was illustra- ni Välijärvi, but also Christiane Spiel from the ted by the presentation made by the Finnish University of Vienna and Edeltraud Stiftunger education expert and National PISA Coordina- from Siemens AG Austria. There was consensus tor Jouni Välijärvi. He commenced his keyno- about the urgent need for fundamental reform te speech about the issue “Challenges for Edu- of the Austrian education system. At the centre

64 of the discussion was the question of how Au- nology Development and co-initiator stria can ensure that access to education no lon- of the education initiative petition) events ger depends on the social position of a child’s Christiane Spiel (Institute for Econo- parents but solely on ability, intelligence and a mic Psychology, Educational Psychology willingness to work hard. The following con- and Evaluation, University of Vienna) cepts kept cropping up in the debate: all-day Edeltraud Stiftinger (head of the Corpo- school, unstreamed schooling to the age of 14 rate Innovation Center of Siemens AG Austria) and autonomy of schools, combined with the Jouni Välijärvi (Director of the Finnish Insti- best possible teaching training. tute for Educational Research of the Universi- Participants of the panel discussion in alphabe- ty of Jyväskylä and national PISA expert) tical order: Discussion chair: Martin Kugler (Die Presse) Hannes Androsch (industrialist, Chairman of the Austrian Council for Research and Tech-

Jouni Välijärvi (University of Jyväskylä, Finland)

From left to right: Martin Kugler (Die Presse), Christiane Spiel (University of Vienna), Jouni Välijärvi (University of Jyväskylä, Finland), Edeltraud Stiftinger (Siemens AG Austria), Hannes Androsch (Chairman of the Austrian Council)

65 Meeting of the Austrian Science Council and the Austrian Council for Research and events Technology Development – 9 November 2011

One of the tasks of the Austrian Science A meeting of both councils was held in Vienna Council is to develop recommendations on 9 November 2011 in order to coordinate for a successful science and research policy in viewpoints and activities and encourage the per- Austria with an emphasis on higher education. sonal exchange of information. The discussion It performs this role on behalf of the Federal Mi- included topical issues such as the reforms plan- nistry for Science and Research. Besides the sec- ned for medical schools and further joint cour- tor of tertiary education, the Austrian Council ses of action. The regular exchange of informa- for Research and Technology Development al- tion and consultation on council statements so deals with all aspects of the innovation sy- about urgent matters involving the tertiary sec- stem. Science and research are closely linked tor will in future form a key part of their coope- with education, industry and technological deration. velopment, with the work of the two councils in- tersecting here.

Chairman of the Austrian Council, Hannes Androsch, and the Chairman of the Austrian Science Council Jürgen Mittelstraß

66 austrian council Cooperation agreement with Lower Austria austrian council In 2011 Austria’s National Audit Office and Technology Development at the Alpbach recommended that the provinces either Technology Forum. This cooperative relationship set up their own research councils or take is to be cultivated by means of regular meetings advantage of the expertise offered by the Au- for the exchange of information and accompanied strian Council. Following this recommendation, by the implementation of recommendations. The future cooperation was then agreed at a meeting plan is for the numerous measures already under- held between the provincial government of Lower taken by Lower Austria, in particular in the field Austria and the Austrian Council for Research of applied research and human resources for R&D, to be additionally reflected in cooperati- Chairman of the Austrian on with the Austrian Council and coordinated in Council Hannes Androsch line with national objectives. (3rd from l.) The first meeting was held in Vienna in the au- and a member of the Lower tumn of 2011 and considered European Regio- nal Policy as well as focusing on the presentation Austrian provincial govern- of detailed working programmes to implement ment Petra Bohuslav the areas in which cooperation is to take place, in (7th from l.). particular topical issues occupying the research institutions based in Lower Austria.

Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development awarded EPSA 2011 Best Practice Certificate

The Austrian Council received a Best Practice current issues involving public administration. Certificate in the framework of the 2011 Euro- With the project for the development of Strate- pean Public Sector Awards (EPSA 2011). These gy 2020 the Secretariat submitted an application awards pay tribute to public institutions which entitled “Opening Up the Public Sector through come up with innovative approaches addressing Collaborative Governance”. To back up the stra- EPSA Prize Award administrative problems or creative solutions for tegy process, the Austrian Council had set up a Ceremony in Maastricht, web-based discussion platform in May 2009. This November 2011 has intensified and enlarged upon the process by (from l. to r.): means of virtual interaction with the RTI community and stakeholders. Marga Pröhl A total of 274 applications from 25 EU countries (Director-General, were submitted for EPSA 2011. All submissions European Institute of Public went before an independent panel of experts, Administration, Maastricht), with 43 finally being selected to receive Best Prac- Johannes Gadner tice Certificates. The award ceremony took pla- (Austrian Council), ce at an event held at Maastricht’s town hall on 15 November 2011. Managing Director Dr. Lu- Ludovit Garzik dovit Garzik and Project Manager Dr. Johannes (Austrian Council), Gadner came to Maastricht to accept the Best Onno Hoes Practice Certificate in person. (Mayor of Maastricht)

68 Review and outlook: 2011 and 2012 austrian council The first full year of the Austrian Council’s third proceed and at what pace. What howe- term of office has drawn to an end. 2011 start- ver is important here is to find a common ed with a broad-based closed-door meeting to path through discussion. For however spell out its intention of ensuring a wide-ranging much we may commit ourselves to our own debate covering the entire research, technology institutions, the obligation of us all is first and and innovation system. The Austrian Council foremost to ensuring the well-being of Austria’s tackled controversial issues here, but always fo- inhabitants. cused on areas of consensus in its discussions rat- It does not take a prophet to predict what will her than on divisive issues. take centre stage in the debate: money. And The policymakers have for their part published the trend we have seen in recent years is set the RTI Strategy “Becoming an Innovation Lea- to intensify. Every organisation is forced der” and thus not only contributed to the deba- to weigh up its priorities. In years when te but are also making, on behalf of the Federal budgets enjoyed massive increases, this Government, a clear commitment to focusing was not necessary. New ideas could al- policy discussions on the question of securing ways be put into practice without having Austria’s future through education and research. to think about an exit strategy for outda- This is a milestone that should not be undere- ted or obsolete issues. Sidestepping in bud- stimated: For the first time the policymakers get planning is increasing the pressure on are themselves committing to strategic positio- managers at all research institutions to set prio- ning in this field and are additionally placing the rities in this field. This can also be described as Ludovit Garzik Head of the Secretariat supervision of implementation in the hands of bidding farewell to ‘fair-weather’ management. an advisory body, the Austrian Council for Re- It must be clear: fresh money should only be in- search and Technology Development. This task vested where the transition from old to new can thus becomes part of the Council’s agenda, with be managed successfully. Money is an incentive the individual strategic headings also being re- for speeding up this move. The driving forces of flected in its “Working Programme 2011+”. innovation in public administration are inci- The outlook for 2012 is therefore already pre- dentally another of Europe’s major advantages determined. Realisation of the individual ob- over the national economies of Asia with their jectives and measures of the Austrian Govern- orientation to state control. ment’s Strategy 2020 is set to be upheld in a re- 2012 is set to be a challenging and exciting year. lationship of mutual respect and trust. There will And the Austrian Council will be contributing to undoubtedly be differences of opinion when it a critical, goal-oriented discussion to ensure Au- is a question of how implementation should stria is equipped to face up to the future.

69 The Austrian Council

Advisory Members

Doris Bures Minister of Transport, Innovation and Technology Maria Fekter Minister of Finance Reinhold Mitterlehner Minister of Economic Affairs, Family and Youth Karlheinz Töchterle Minister of Science and Research

austrian council

Hannes Androsch Peter Skalicky Chairman of the Austrian Council Deputy Chairman of the Austrian Council is an industrialist and former minister of finance and vi- From 1991 to 2011 Rector of the Vienna University of ce chancellor who also served as a consultant to the Technology, Professor of Applied Physics and Presi- World Bank. He is Chairman of the University Council dent of the Austrian Rectors’ Conference of the University of Leoben, a member of the Senate (1995–1999) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) and head of the Supervisory Board of the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)

Gabriele Ambros Markus Hengstschläger Marianne Johanna Hilf Owner of the Bohmann and Holzhausen publishing Head of the Institute of Medical Genetics at the Medi- Professor for criminal law, law of criminal procedure houses, member of the Supervisory Board of the FFG cal University in Vienna, Vice Chairman of the Bioet- and criminology with an emphasis on business criminal (since 2009) and President of Forschung Austria (also hics Commission at the Federal Chancellery (since law at the University of St. Gallen / Switzerland since 2009) 2009)

Gi-Eun Kim Karin Schaupp Renée Schroeder Professor at the Department for Biotechnology at the Independent management consultant (international in- Professor at the Department for Biochemistry of the Max. Seokyong University in Seoul and Secretary General novation and business consulting) with a focus on in- F. Perutz Laboratories, formerly a member of the Bioet- for Biotechnology in the Committee for Industrial Co- novation transfer, Deputy Chair of the University Coun- hics Commission of the Federal Chancellery (2001– operation between Korea and Germany cil of the University of Leoben 2005) and Vice President of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF, 2005–2010), member of the Austrian Academy of Sciences

70 Secretariat

The secretariat supports the Austrian Council both in terms of organi- to-day operations of the Austrian Council are financed by the Ministry sation and content, in particular with regard to preparing and organi- for Transport, Innovation and Technology. The head of the secretari- sing the meetings of the Austrian Council and working groups, and in at, deputy head of the secretariat and members of staff (in alphabeti- respect of communication both within the Council and externally. Day- cal order):

Ludovit Garzik, MBA Constanze Stockhammer Johannes Gadner, MSc Head of the secretariat, management and coordinati- Deputy head of the secretariat, business-oriented re- Project manager “Report on Austria’s Scientific and on of the secretariat’s activities and external repre- search, indirect research promotion, start-up and Technological Capability”, coordination of strategic pro- sentation growth financing, SME and innovation funding, coope- cesses (RTI Strategy of the Federal Government, Stra- [email protected] ration between federal government and the provinces, tegy 2020, Strategy for Excellence), cooperation bet- nano-technologies, information and communication ween science and industry, Platform fteval, non-univer- technologies, mobility and transport sity research and energy research [email protected] [email protected]

Anton Graschopf Selina Morrison-Brandauer Gerhard Reitschuler Universities, research infrastructure, life sciences, ba- Office Management Collection and processing of R&D data, macro-economic development and trends, output/impact (indica- sic research, energy research and international issues [email protected] tors), modelling and simulation, technology flow analy- [email protected] sis, innovative procurement [email protected]

Margarete Rohrhofer Bettina Ruttensteiner-Poller Walter Schneider Accounting and Personnel Science/RTI and society, human resources, humani- Agricultural sciences, security research, international re- [email protected] ties, social and cultural sciences, advancement of wo- search cooperation, coordination of the Long Night of Re- men and gender mainstreaming, ethics in research, search, EU research and innovation policy, especially EU public relations and administrative support Framework programmes for RTD, ERA-NET [email protected] [email protected]

71 contact Ministry of Transport, Innovation and Technology (Supervisory Responsibility for the Austrian Council) A-1030 Vienna, Radetzkystraße 2 Tel.: +43/1/711 62-0 www.bmvit.gv.at

Ministry of Finance A-1030 Vienna, Hintere Zollamtsstraße 2b Tel.: +43/1/514 33-0 www.bmf.gv.at

Ministry of Science and Research A-1014 Vienna, Minoritenplatz 5 Tel.: +43/1/531 20-0 www.bmwf.gv.at

Ministry of Economic Affairs, Family and Youth A-1011 Vienna, Stubenring 1 Tel.: +43/1/711 00-0 www.bmwfj.gv.at

Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development Secretariat A-1010 Vienna, Pestalozzigasse 4/D1 Tel.: +43/1/713 14 14-0 Fax: +43/1/713 14 14-99 [email protected] www.rat-fte.at

72 www.rat-fte.at tätigkeitsbericht 2011