Contribution Payments and Memberships

Since January 1, 2013, the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) has enabled continuous funding of membership fees for scientific organizations in close coordination with the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF). The aim of this grant program is to strengthen basic and applied research in Vienna by covering annual membership fees for national and international research networks. Eligible for funding are non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and public entities that pay their membership fees in accordance with the agreements with the BMBWF. This ensures that scientists, research communities, and academic institutions can collaborate optimally within established structures.

Funding applications can be submitted at any time, as the program operates without a fixed duration limit. A prerequisite for approval is an existing performance agreement between the ÖAW and the BMBWF, as well as, if applicable, supplementary individual contracts with the respective organizations. Only membership fees are considered eligible expenses. The performance agreement and, if required, the respective individual contracts must be attached to the application. The grant is provided as a non-repayable subsidy and supports recipients in freeing up financial resources for research projects and institutional networking activities. With a budgeted volume of approximately 5.87 million euros, the ÖAW makes a significant contribution to promoting scientific exchange and innovation capacity in Austria.