aws Proof of Concept
Grant for proof of concept projects to assess the feasibility of patentable research and development results from Austrian research institutions with up to 75% funding (max. €20,000 for small projects, max. €80,000 for large projects). Ongoing submission until 31.12.2028.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Funding of proof of concept projects for the systematic evaluation and identification of application areas of research and development results that are in principle patentable, and acceleration of knowledge and technology transfer from publicly funded research.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs
- Overhead costs
- Third-party costs
- Patent costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Costs for external management
- Costs for consultants
- Contract research
- Certification costs
- Ongoing fees for intellectual property rights
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Eligible to apply
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Austrian universities, universities of applied sciences, and non-university research institutions
- Proof of a valid separation accounting upon first application
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- Proof of valid separation accounting
- Program document
Evaluation criteria
- Technical plausibility
- Expert jury evaluation
Description
The "aws Proof of Concept" program supports Austrian universities, universities of applied sciences, and non-university research institutions in validating and exploiting research results that are in principle patentable. With a funding rate of up to 75% (maximum €20,000 for small and €80,000 for large projects), aws enables targeted feasibility demonstration and accelerates the knowledge and technology transfer from publicly funded research. The project duration ranges between 12 and 24 months, during which personnel costs, material, third-party, and overhead costs as well as, in large projects, patent costs for nationalization or validation are funded. This measure thus closes a frequently criticized gap in the early phase of research and offers, upon request, complementary workshops and up to 30 hours of consulting by aws to optimize business models, intellectual property strategies, and licensing approaches.
Submissions are continuously accepted until 31.12.2028 and are evaluated based on technical-scientific plausibility as well as by an expert jury. A prerequisite for first-time applications is proof of a valid cost accounting separation, for example by an external body. Only directly project-related expenses are eligible for funding; management, consulting, or certification costs are excluded. Interested research institutions can submit their application via the aws funding manager and require a detailed project description, a financing plan, the program document, as well as proof of cost accounting separation. The aws offering as a one-stop shop completes the program and promises solid support for the transition of research results into market-ready applications.