Funding Initiative Top Citizen Science (TCS)

The funding initiative Top Citizen Science (TCS) of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) enables financial support for extension projects that build upon already funded FWF grants and actively integrate citizens into the research process. Various forms of participation – from data collection and observations to contributing personal experiences or specialized knowledge – can be realized, as well as collaborations with schools, associations, or knowledge communities. The focus is on scientific excellence: the embedded citizen science component is intended to generate substantial new insights without compromising the high research standards.

Submissions are possible in the period 01.03.2024 to 30.05.2099. A prerequisite is that the base project is not completed by the decision date in October of the submission year (project end no earlier than November 30 of the submission year) and that a project leader or a scientist employed and funded by the FWF is responsible for the extension. 100% of the costs are funded, up to a maximum of €100,000 over a duration of up to 24 months. Selection is made by the Board of Trustees based on an international peer review. Evaluated are scientific excellence, the quality of the citizen science component, and the potential for additional research gain. The documents to be submitted include application guidelines, checklist, FWF definitions of terms, scientific discipline codes, as well as regulations on research collaborations.