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Significance of research in Austria

Research and Development (R&D) in Austria has doubled its R&D ratio since 1994 (from 1.5 per cent in 1994, to 3.8 per cent in 2017). As such, Austria has become an increasingly attractive research location within Europe. In 2017, research expenditures totalled 11.3 billion euros (2017 global estimate), with the federal government investing 3.4 billion euros.

In the past few years, Austria has caught up with European 鈥榠nnovation leaders鈥� such as Finland and Sweden. Globally, Austria ranks number eleven in the .聽Austria鈥檚 R&D intensity (R&D expenditures as a percentage of GDP) is in second place behind Sweden (3.26 per cent). Austria is also one of the few European countries to have exceeded the European Union鈥檚 research policy objective to achieve a research ratio of 3 per cent of GDP by 2020.

Further promising signs of Austria鈥檚 growing R&D scene are the increasing numbers of scientific publications and patent registrations and the ever-increasing collaborations between science and business.

Most important research fields and sectors

Austria has a long history in science, social sciences and humanities, which dates to the beginning of the last century. For example, the natural, technical and life sciences are especially well-established areas of research in both the public and private research sectors.

Growing sectors include those of precision medicine, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, alternative drive systems and lightweight construction all of which supplement the traditionally strong sectors such as machine, vehicle and plant construction and industrial goods.

The highest shares of the federal research and research promotion investments in 2018 were made in the following categories:

• Promotion of the general advancement of knowledge: 31.1 per cent
• Promotion of industrial production and industry: 24.6 per cent
• Promotion of health: 21.2 per cent

Which institutions carry out research in Austria?

Research in Austria is very diverse, with research taking place at a number of different institutions. More than 71,000 people (full time/full-time equivalent throughout the year) conduct research at Austria鈥檚 22 public universities, 13 private universities and 21 Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen), or for 2,000 enterprises like BMW, Bosch, Infineon and Novartis all with headquarters in Austria.

Universities and the business sector are the biggest research performers and are responsible for basic research and scientific training. There are also 65 other research institutes and academies alongside universities, which employ around 7,000 employees and focus largely on the application of knowledge. This is the fastest growing field in Austria鈥檚 research landscape, with R&D investments almost tripling over the past ten years. There are also more than 60 industrial clusters of more than 7,000 companies with over 800,000 employees which conduct an average of 7.5 per cent of all research in Austria.

Working as a foreign researcher in Austria

Since Austria is a relatively small country, knowledge capital is crucial. As such, international cooperation and competition are seen as real strengths in Austria鈥檚 scientific institutions. At present, some 300 employees at 20 institutes and 5 clusters deal with the latest scientific issues and carry out top-level international research work and this looks set to increase in the coming years.

Austria is an attractive location for science and research for foreign researchers due to its many interesting job opportunities, central European location, high quality of life, social security and modern infrastructure. A strong export industry, top international companies and organisations, over 400 market leaders and an innovative research scene all combine to offer attractive career prospects for talented international researchers.

Researchers who come from non-EU countries normally need an entry visa. You can find the regulations for working in Austria in the (Ausl盲nderbesch盲ftigungsgesetz 鈥� AuslBG).