Research & Technology Development - Quality (NÖWTF)
Funding of research and technology development projects in Lower Austria for companies and research institutions with high market implementation potential. Applications possible until 31.12.2026.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Promotion of research and technology development to stimulate and enhance the quality of companies as well as university and non-university research institutions in Lower Austria. The goal is to build know-how at the location, increase resource efficiency, and enhance the exploitation potential of innovative approaches.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs for researchers, technical and other staff
- R&D-specific instruments and equipment (proportional depreciation)
- External services (contract research, consulting)
- Overhead flat rate
Non-eligible expenses
- Land acquisition
- Financing costs
- Cash payments over €5,000
- Invoices not issued to applicants
- Discounts and rebates
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Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Educational Institutions
Funding requirements
- Project costs from €50,000 for companies or from €200,000 for research institutions
- Implementation in Lower Austria
- Allocation of the funded part to basic research, industrial research, experimental development, or feasibility studies
- Application before project start
Documents required for application
- Application via the WFP Lower Austria
- Project description according to the guidelines
- Project cost breakdown
- Annual financial statements and balance sheets of the last 3 years
- Proof of employee status
- CVs and quotations
Evaluation criteria
- Scientific novelty
- Location development
- Exploitation potential
- Performance capability of the project sponsors
- Ratio of funding amount to expected benefit
Description
The funding program “Research & Technology Development – Quality (NÖWTF)” is aimed at companies in the commercial sector as well as university and non-university research institutions in Lower Austria. Projects with costs starting from €50,000 (companies) or €200,000 (research institutions) are supported if they are classified as basic research, industrial research, experimental development, or feasibility studies and possess a high market implementation potential. The objective of this funding initiative is to build know-how at the location, increase resource efficiency, and enhance the exploitation potential of innovative approaches. The funding rate varies between 25% and 80%, depending on the company size and type of project. Eligible expenses include, among others, personnel costs for researchers and technical staff, proportional depreciation of R&D instruments and equipment, external services, as well as an overhead allowance. Non-eligible costs include, inter alia, land acquisition, financing costs, cash payments over €5,000, discounts, rebates, and input tax deduction.
Eligible to apply are consortia or individual projects implemented within the federal state that contribute to value creation in Lower Austria. Applications must be submitted prior to project commencement exclusively via the Lower Austria Economic Promotion Portal (WFP) and are possible until 31 December 2026. Submission must include the project description, cost breakdown, financial statements of the last three years, proof of employment status, as well as offer documents and CVs of the project staff. The decision is based on scientific novelty, location development, exploitation potential, the capability of the project applicants, and the ratio of funding amount to expected benefit. The funding makes an important contribution to sustainably strengthening Lower Austria as an innovation-driven business location and advancing the dynamism of companies and research institutions.
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