annual report 2007 - rat für forschung und ... · pdf file4 vision – mission...

a n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 0 7www.rat-fte.at

t a b l e o f c o n t e n t s

1

2 f o r e w o r d

3 e d i t o r i a l

4 v i s i o n – m i s s i o n – g o a l s

5 r e m i t

7 o u t l o o k

“We Need Beacons for Students and Companies” 8

The Strategy for Excellence: The Way to the Top 12

15 t h e a u s t r i a n c o u n c i l r e c o m m e n d s

Recommendations 2007 16

23 c r e a t i n g k n o w l e d g e

Update: What has been accomplished 24

Basic Expertise: Reports and Studies 2007 30

International Events 34

37 e v e n t s

37 t h e a u s t r i a n c o u n c i l

Review 2007: Strategy for Excellence finalised 46

Outlook 2008: Long-Term RTI Strategy 46

Secretariat: New Faces – Public Relations 47

Members 48

The Secretariat 49

50 p l a n s

Key Areas for the Austrian Council in 2008 51

52 c o n t a c t

f o r e w o r d

2

In the recent past, but especially since the mid1990ies, there has been a massive increase inawareness among Austrian policymakers andalso among the broader public of the importanceof research, technology and innovation. ThisGovernment is fully aware that the basic researchcarried out at scientific institutes, the inno-vations produced at companies (especially inthe collaborative sector where science andindustry work jointly on solutions) form thebasis of our international competitiveness. It hastherefore made the promotion of research anddevelopment a key priority. It is essential that we persist with this prioritisa-tion in the next few years and do so on the basisof the Strategy for Excellence that was adoptedin 2007. This includes elements which are alrea-dy being implemented such as the “Initiative forExcellence in Science” and the competencecentres programme COMET as well as new, qual-ity-oriented elements for system optimisation. Science, research and technology require a frame-

work that can react flexibly to changed demands.This is being made possible at several levels.System evaluation reviews the objectives of exist-ing funding instruments, while the research dia-logue generates new ideas and the Lisbon processcreates a common framework for the long-termdevelopment process in all member states of theEuropean Union. If those in positions of politicalresponsibility are to focus on the big picture andlaunch joint endeavours, they must have per-manent access to advisory services. It is only byregularly reflecting upon our own activities in dis-cussion with experts that improvements can beachieved. The Austrian Council for Research andTechnology Development makes important con-tributions, especially with regard to the develop-ment of a long-term overall strategy for theAustrian innovation system. We wish the AustrianCouncil for Research and Technology Develop-ment much success in this important advisoryrole and we, for our part, will continue to makean active contribution to the discussion.

Wilhelm Molterer

Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance

Johannes Hahn

Minister of Science

and Research

Martin Bartenstein

Minister of Economic Affairs

and Labour

Werner Faymann

Minister of Transport, Innovation

and Technology

Christa Kranzl

Secretary of State at the Ministry for Transport,Innovation and Technology

e d i t o r i a l

In recent years the Austrian research landscapehas been characterised by great dynamism, thesuccesses of which are self-evident. Since 2000,the research quota – i.e. research expenditure asa percentage of gross domestic product – hasrisen from 1.91 percent to an estimated 2.63percent in 2008. As a result, an impressive EUR7.5 billion will be made available for research and development in 2008. Thanks to these efforts, Austria has made considerable progress in transforming itself from a pure user of technol-ogy to a knowledge-based, technology-intensiveeconomy.At the same time, however, this developmentcannot be taken for granted and great efforts willbe required in future if it is to be successfullycontinued. In this respect 2007 was a rather dif-ficult year. The changed political circumstances,for example, led to budget delays and thus to un-certainties. At the same time, the impression wassometimes given that while all players were basi-cally moving in the right direction, they weredoing so “with the handbrake on.” In this regard,2008 will have to be better: It is essential that wekeep to the course and set a brisker pace again.

2007: The Year of ExcellenceA significant milestone in 2007 was reached withthe presentation of the Austrian Council’s Strategyfor Excellence just before the Technology Forum

in Alpbach. It saw the Austrian Council bringabout an interim conclusion to one of the key stra-tegic areas of action that had been defined in itsStrategy 2010 paper. The objective of the Strategyfor Excellence is both to raise the overall qualityof research in Austria and to make world-class, cut-ting-edge research possible in Austria on a largerscale than in the past. This does not, of course,mean that the process has been completed. TheAustrian Council will continue to keep abreast ofactivities in this area and put forward proposalsfor new initiatives in cooperation with all stake-holders in the innovation system.

The Necessary Basis for ContinuedSuccess: Human ResourcesScience, research and development require ad-equate financial resources, long-term planningcertainty and optimal structures. Above all, how-ever, they need individuals who are curious, whowant to identify and solve problems, who are notdeterred by obstacles and who possess the edu-cation and training that are necessary to advancescience and research. Human resources will there-fore constitute an important area of the AustrianCouncil’s work in 2008. Finally, we would like tothank all those who supported our work last year. We trust that you will find this report bothinformative and thought-provoking and invite youto continue with us on the road to success.

3

Photo (from left

to right):

Hans Schönegger

Knut Consemüller

Albert Hochleitner

Gabriele Zuna-Kratky

Reinhard Petschacher

Jürgen Stockmar

Dervilla Donnelly

Günther Bonn

v i s i o n – m i s s i o n s – g o a l s

4

“To be among the best in Europe” – that is thevision for Austria held by the Austrian Council forResearch and Technology Development.The Austrian Council is the main strategic ad-visory body for research, technology and innova-tion policy (RTI) and as such sees its task as beingto provide systematic, independent and soundadvice with the aim of making a significant con-tribution to the creation and implementation ofa forward-looking RTI policy.As it seeks to fulfil its legal mandate, the AustrianCouncil is guided by a number of fundamentalvalues and visions:

RTI and Society: At the start of the 21st centurywe are living in a knowledge-based society inwhich constructive curiosity and productivecreativity bring progress and increase wealth.Innovation is a driving factor behind economicprosperity and provides a solid basis for society’sfurther social and cultural development. Given theinadequate public awareness of this fact, a varietyof relevant measures should be implemented toremedy the situation.

Prosperity through Social Consensus: Suc-cessful research policy must enjoy broad publicacceptance. The Austrian Council therefore seeksto achieve social consensus and has committeditself to the goal of sustainable development. De-cisive success, however, can only be achieved bymaking R&D issues a subject of public discussion.

Focus of RTI: The Austrian Council takes ac-count of the different demands of basic research,and applied research and development. World-class bottom-up research must be supported, butat the same time we see a need to strengthenapplied research with a view to its medium-termcommercial implementation. One core aspect ofthe new technology policy is the intensificationof cooperation between industrial and universityor non-university research in joint projects.

Committed to Output: We will only achievethe Government target by dramatically increasingthe percentage of R&D funding provided byindustry (the aim is to double the amount). To thisend, suitable funding instruments must be im-plemented on the basis of coordinated strategiesagreed by science and industry.

Excellence as the Goal: The Austrian Councilaims to achieve a world class standard in RTD pro-jects as the prerequisite for strengthening inter-national competitiveness. Just as the marketevaluates the results of industrial RTD, we toodemand specific evaluation criteria and theregular evaluation of the various forms of researchand teaching. A state-of-the-art research and tech-nology policy must define key areas, reinforceexisting strengths and encourage the develop-ment and expansion of expertise and knowledgeat centres of excellence.

Integrated Approach: We are committed to asystematic approach, across both disciplinesand institutions. Incentive systems must be usedto create the prerequisites for self-renewingstructures.

International Integration: The AustrianCouncil regards research and development as anoptimal instrument for increasing international-isation and encouraging participation in interna-tional activities. Austria must enrich internationalprogrammes and play an active role in theirdevelopment.

Focus on People: We regard human capital asthe most important prerequisite for the com-petitiveness of Austrian science and industry onthe basis of freedom of research and teaching. Theavailability of a skilled and motivated workforceis of central importance. For this it is necessary tocreate and promote a greater public appreciationof the importance of science, research and tech-nology. The new media should also be used toencourage innovative methods of knowledgetransfer. Furthermore, Strategy 2010, the visionand activities of which encompass the Austrianinnovation system in its entirety, remains animportant basis for the Austrian Council’s work.The further development of the strategic elementsfor a medium and long-term perspective for theAustrian innovation system on the basis of thisdocument will constitute a major aspect of theAustrian Council’s work in 2008.

r e m i t

The Austrian Council for Research and TechnologyDevelopment, abbreviated to the Austrian Coun-cil, was established on 1 August 2000 by an amend-ment to the Research and Technology Funding

Act (FTFG) 1982 passed on 11 July 2000. On 1 September 2004 the Austrian Council becamean entity under public law on the basis of theResearch Funding Structural Reform Act adoptedon 14 July 2004. The Austrian Council’s terms ofreference are also defined in the FTFG and can besubdivided into seven areas:1. To advise the Federal Government, and if re-quested, individual Government ministers orprovincial governments on all matters pertainingto research, technology and innovation.2. To draw up proposals for a long-term Austrianstrategy for research and technology developmentand to monitor its gradual implementation.3. To draw up proposals regarding the definitionof key areas for national research and technologyprogrammes and for funding policy for all research,innovation and technology-oriented institutionswith federal participation.4. To make recommendations as to how Austria’sposition can be strengthened in internationalresearch and technology collaboration.5. The independent submission of proposals fornational research and technology programmestaking into account collaborative internationalresearch and technology programmes involving allresearch, innovation and technology-orientedinstitutions in which the Federal Governmentparticipates.6. To draw up proposals to improve cooperationbetween science and industry, in particular bybringing together university research and appliedresearch, and technology development at the levelof individual enterprises.7. To develop proposals as to how all research,innovation and technology-oriented institutionsin which the Federal Government is involved canbe monitored in accordance with internationalstandards.Furthermore, the National Audit Office reportpublished in December 2007 made a number ofimportant suggestions which in future will beincorporated into the Austrian Council’s work:

In the view of the National Audit Office, prior tothe provision of further financial resources, the Aus-trian Council should examine whether the humanand material resources necessary for such a rapidexpansion of Austrian research are even available.The Austrian Council concurs with the NationalAudit Office that human and material resources arecentral to the development of research in Austria.In its first term of office, however, the AustrianCouncil focused mainly on the development of thepublic and political commitment to investments inscience and research. In its second term, the Aus-trian Council is now defining new priorities, in par-ticular, the question of high-calibre human resources.

The National Audit Office also recommendedthat the Austrian Council make proposals to theFederal Government as to how to counteract thestagnation of foreign-funded research. Since 2002the proportion of privately-funded research hasbeen in decline, a trend largely due to the stag-nation of foreign-funded R&D in this period. Ifthe goal of spending 3 percent of GDP on researchand development by 2010 were to be retained,the public sector would have to do more to com-pensate for this and as a result would depart fromthe goal of research which receives two thirds ofits funding from the private sector.The Austrian Council immediately acted upon thisNational Audit Office recommendation to counter-act the stagnation of foreign-funded research.

The National Audit Office believes that a goal-oriented use of public research funding is onlypossible if there is an overall strategy and thefinancial resources of the entire Austrian researchsystem are included. The National Audit Officetherefore proposed creating the conditions thatwould provide the Austrian Council with access toall the information regarding the use of publicfunds that are necessary for it to carry out its work.In this connection, the Austrian Council informedthe National Audit Office that it had repeatedlypointed out that key area recommendations couldonly be based on an overview of all funding sources;singular approaches would lead to inefficientduplication. The Austrian Council will thereforeuse the National Audit Office recommendation fornew initiatives on this matter.

5

>

r e m i t

6

The National Audit Office recommended to theAustrian Council that it should without delayincrease its recommendations as to how Austria’scompetitive position could be enhanced within theSeventh EU Framework Programme for Research,Technological Development and Demonstration.In respect of this, the Austrian Council informedthe National Audit Office that it was already liaisingwith partner organisations in the EuropeanResearch Area and planned to use analyses of theinstruments of this research area to develop con-crete proposals for Austria.

The National Audit Office recommended to theAustrian Council that it generate proposals forresearch, innovation and technology-orientedinstitutions in which the Federal Governmentwould be involved.

The National Audit Office recommended an im-mediate improvement of the Austrian Council’smonitoring system that would make it possible toidentify the macroeconomic effects (for example,economic growth, generation of employment orrate of issue of patents) generated by the publicfunding of R&D. The monitoring system ought tomake clear programme-level statements about thedevelopment and progress of the programmes.The Austrian Council informed the National AuditOffice that it would act upon these recommenda-tions. It had already put forward numerous pro-posals within the framework of recommendations,but according to its own interpretation of its duties,the Austrian Council should not and could notitself develop a comprehensive system.

Finally, the National Audit Office pointed outthat the emerging thematic areas and strengths onthe one hand and the quota agreed by the federalministries on the other generated a matrix withinwhich there is little leeway for structuring researchprogrammes. As the Austrian Council has alsofrequently stated vis-à-vis the Ministry for Finance,the ministerial quotas removed its scope forrecommending the best programmes.In its statement to the National Audit Office, theAustrian Council confirmed the restriction of itsscope for action and pointed out that the allocationformula had been negotiated between the staff ofthe federal ministries involved.

In the opinion of the National Audit Office, col-laboration between the Federal Government andthe provinces would help counter duplication.R&D policy and R&D funding should be coordi-nated by the Federal Government and the pro-vincial governments, and especially by agreementsin accordance with Article 15a of the FederalConstitution. The National Audit Office recommended that theCouncil identify areas where there is duplicationin the funding landscape and in research fundingand, where necessary, urge structural reform atthe federal and provincial levels.The Austrian Council concurred with the NationalAudit Office and reported that in December 2006it had recommended the establishment of a newplatform for the provinces. The results of its dis-cussion could be incorporated as a basis for therecommendation of structural adjustments.

The National Audit Office recommended thatthe Austrian Council use its own expertise to im-mediately define an ICT strategy.In this connection, the Austrian Council informedthe National Audit Office that it had since followedthis recommendation with a strategic relaunch in-tended to result in a specific ICT research strategy.

The National Audit Office suggested to theAustrian Council that it recommend only the pro-grammatic emphases necessary for the develop-ment of R&D, as well as that it leave the detaileddevelopment of the programmes to the relevantministries. In addition, the National Audit Officeproposed to the Austrian Council and the federalministries concerned that the Council commissionindependent programme evaluations for theindividual research sectors.The Austrian Council agreed to these suggestionsregarding independent programme evaluations andpointed out that this required a statutory mandate.Since the BMVIT, BMWA and BMWF did not wishto support this recommendation by the NationalAudit Office, the latter again pointed to the Austrian Council’s advisory role and stressed, thatfor reasons of transparency, the evaluations com-missioned by the Austrian Council should be con-ducted supplementally to the impact analyses andfor the purposes of monitoring.

o u t l o o k

In addition to the many

measures to promote

research and development

in Austria, long-term

strategies are needed if

we are not to lose sight

of the big picture.

In 2007 the Austrian

Council focused

intensively on the topic

of “excellence” and

invited discussion on

its approaches.

7

o u t l o o k

8

The Austrian Council has also focused on pro-moting excellence in the Austrian funding land-scape and in August 2007 presented its strategyfor excellence containing key measures tosupport outstanding achievement. The strategyessentially received a positive response from theinnovation spokespersons of all parliamentaryparties, but in certain areas they called for addi-tions or for a broader view of excellence.

How important is excellence in the research

sector for Austria as a centre of innovation?

Michaela Sburny (The Greens): For me, excel-lence means making it possible for students,researchers and institutions etc. to bring out thevery best in themselves. This definition of excel-lence does not focus on competition, but oncreating an open debate in which everyone canparticipate. In fact, I reject any interpretationthat defines excellence as the creation and per-petuation of elites. Many of Austria’s currentproblems are the result of closed social circles.In my opinion, promoting excellence must there-fore aim to break through these closed circles!

Martin Graf (FPÖ): Excellence is the definitionof particularly high quality or outstandingachievement. However, an emphasis on excel-lence certainly does not mean that we can affordto forget the importance of having a broad basis,as that is a prerequisite for the development ofworld class research.Excellence can only develop in a performance-oriented environment. However, only promotingthe top end will lead us down a blind alley. It isimpossible to foresee today what will bear fruittomorrow. In a broad research landscape, excel-lence can therefore take on the function of abeacon for the Austrian innovation hub.

Karin Hakl (ÖVP): Without cutting-edge researchthere can be no high-tech industry! And withoutcutting-edge research it will be hard to generateeconomic growth. Developing frontier research

and increasing the level of excellence are keyissues in today’s research and technology policydebate, nationally, within Europe and also inter-nationally.

Kurt Gartlehner (SPÖ): A strategy for promotingexcellence in research is a prerequisite for thefuture creation of high-quality jobs through inno-vation which will in turn increase economicgrowth and competitiveness. However, such astrategy for excellence cannot be an end in itself,but must instead be part of a broader strategy forinnovation involving all the key players. Excel-lence should not be promoted at the expense ofquality on a broad level in innovation – the inno-vation strategy that is being developed will there-fore integrate both pillars, excellence at the topand at the broad level.

Veit Schalle (BZÖ): For me, excellence meansnot ending funding schemes, initiatives and pro-grammes, but expanding them wisely. This sup-ports the shift to a knowledge-based society andeconomy, and improves Austria’s competitive-ness.

What additional value for Austria does a strat-

egy for excellence produce?

Schalle: An Austrian strategy for excellence musthave a “beacon effect”, i.e. during the course ofits implementation, other research institutesshould choose to base themselves in Austria andinternational researchers should be attracted. Itis therefore also necessary to make an excellencestrategy for Austria a priority within the frame-work of the planned European cutting-edgeresearch institutes in order to promote thecreation of a network of the best researchers.

Which conditions facilitate excellence best?

Graf: I will start with what I believe hinders ex-cellence. The principle of research-led teachingis under threat in Central Europe, as is the hard-

“We Need Beacons for Students and Companies”

Kurt GartlehnerMember of Parliament (SPÖ)and a member of the Parliamentary Committee forResearch, Innovation andTechnology and of the Science Committee

o u t l o o k

won principle of free access to a university edu-cation. I do not believe that excellence, elites andscience can flourish in the long term in an environ-ment of restrictions and spin-offs. As excellencedoes not develop in a test tube, it needs an environ-ment that has room for mediocrity just as muchas it needs cultural terms of reference.

Gartlehner: On the one hand, there has to be asupply of well-educated active researchers, andon the other, a sufficient number of youngpeople who are ready and able to let themselvesbe trained through research work. There is amarket for all categories of researcher – be itsenior scientists, post-docs or PhD students –and it is growing all the time. There is an inter-national competition to attract the best.

Hakl: In terms of general conditions, the thingsthat come to my mind are tax incentives, a highstandard of research, sufficient human resourcesin the key technologies and immigration rulesthat cater to the needs of science. These arefundamental requirements. The BMWA took animportant step on 1 January 2008 when it openedup the labour market for researchers (and theirfamily members) not only at research institutes,but also at companies.

Sburny: Parameters are needed that allow thepursuit of two main goals: First, human creativityand curiosity must be stimulated and encouraged.For this purpose, we must push ahead withreforms in education. Unfortunately, this policyarea is currently characterised by both a lack ofvision and by blockades. Both prevent a clearview of the situation and make intelligent initi-atives impossible. A second aim is to createconditions which make it possible for people totake risks and fulfil their creative potential. Toomuch first-class work is being abandoned in theearly stages out of fear of the social stigmaassociated with potential failure. Society has tochange the way it thinks. Risk contains withinitself the potential for success, and even failureholds out the chance of finding a new and bet-ter approach.

Which elements encourage the development of

excellence in the national innovation system?

Schalle: In addition to direct research funding, ad-ditional tax incentives (indirect research funding)must be created. The rigid Austrian tax systemmust be changed so that we can attract moreprivate investment in research – on the one hand,by creating tax exemptions for revenues fromfoundations which are used for research pur-poses, and on the other, by making donations forresearch facilities tax deductable.

Hakl: It is immensely important to strengthenbasic research: Each year, funding should beincreased by roughly ten percent in order tostrengthen excellent research in Austria. By 2020we should be spending one percent of GDP onbasic research. Moreover, in the area of business-oriented research funding, those funding instru-ments should be strengthened which stimulateprivate sector spending on research. In addition to improving the interfaces betweenthe universities and business, I also believe it isessential to develop the potential of excellenthuman resources in and for Austria. Well-trainedand motivated researchers provide the basis foroutstanding research. In this connection, the ad-vancement of young scientists and women arecentral tasks in R&D. Since autumn 2007 theAustrian Science Fund (FWF) has funded trainingcentres for highly qualified young scientists inthe form of its “Doktoratskollegs-Plus” pro-gramme. Finally, I would like to mention the uni-versities and their profile development. These in-stitutions must have clearly recognisable profilesand strengths if they are to hold their own in thecompetition to attract the best students.

Graf: As I said earlier, excellent, elite research willonly be generated where there is a broad basis anda clearly recognisable top end. The chosen ap-proach of forcing “scientific research” throughreal estate projects is the wrong one. We have 21universities and a sufficient number of research in-stitutions which produce a great deal of excellentwork. It is imperative that we strengthen existing

9

>

Karin HaklMember of Parliament(ÖVP) and Member of theParliamentary Committee for Research, Innovation and Technology and of theScience Committee

o u t l o o k

10

strengths. Moreover, in a show of nationalstrength, the legislature must push ahead withdeveloping the profiles of the individual institu-tions – above all, the universities – and eliminateduplication in increasingly international compe-tition. Careful use must be made of the availableresources.

Sburny: Our research activities need to be morebroad-ranging. This is the only way we willachieve a greater concentration of top levelresearch in Austria. This understanding of excel-lence requires funding on the basis of the com-prehensive inclusion of all policy areas. Excel-lence that is understood as a “beacon” shouldcreate selective incentives, but should notbecome the basis of research policy.

Gartlehner: Training through research, and re-search which has no direct economic use must belargely financed by the state. Tax incentives areone of the strongest motivating factors for pri-vate-sector investors to support research that isnot expected to produce any immediate return.The development of research teams requires basicfinancing. Above and beyond this, research fund-ing should be awarded in a competitive process.

How can framework conditions in Austria be

structured so that they promote excellent

researchers and research teams, support the

creation of excellence in competitive processes

in the long term and are open for new players

entering the field?

Gartlehner: The necessary framework conditionsfor the implementation of a strategy for excel-lence comprise measures in the area of humanresources (such as the BMVIT programme“Forschung macht Schule”), improved workingconditions and career opportunities, and thedevelopment of new instruments in the area offinancing – with a focus on risk financing – in thecorporate sector. By taking measures in thesethree areas, Austria is also responding to inter-national criticism: Although the OECD countryreport 2007 was basically very positive about

Austria, it did recommend that Austria takemeasures to improve qualifications, paying par-ticular attention to the natural sciences and tech-nical disciplines. The OECD also criticised thatAustria had one of the lowest levels of risk capi-tal measured in terms of gross domestic productwithin the OECD.

Schalle: There is still a shortage of researchers inAustria – especially in the natural sciences andtechnical disciplines, and here especially of femaleresearchers. We must therefore endeavour togenerate an interest among young people forresearch, to persuade women to embark onscientific careers and to make optimal use of theirpotential.

How can the recommendations from the

Austrian Council’s Strategy for Excellence be

implemented effectively and sustainably?

Graf: The Austrian Council’s recommendation touse performance agreements as a steering instru-ment is promising. In order to stem the increasingbureaucratisation of research administration, onlya small number of key figures should be decisive.I also share the Austrian Council’s assessmentthat greater emphasis will have to be given to theidea of competition between universities in orderto produce world-class research. I can support theAustrian Council’s recommendation to fund auniversity infrastructure programme again. How-ever, consideration must also be given to profiledevelopment.

Hakl: In the area of industrially-oriented research,the continuation of the competence centres pro-gramme COMET is crucially important. The highquality of the submissions was apparent evenduring the first round of calls in 2007, as a resultof which funding was increased to allow an addi-tional three K1-Centres. In addition to this,otherresearch programmes such as the ChristianDoppler Laboratories with basic research relatedtopics or the Laura Bassi Centres of Excellence forthe advancement of women with a focus onexcellence are in progress or preparation.

Michaela SburnyMember of Parliament (The Greens) and Chair of the ParliamentaryCommittee for Research,Innovation and Technology

o u t l o o k

11

Which elements from the Strategy of Excellence

have the highest priority?

Sburny: The Austrian Council presented an arrayof measures in its Strategy for Excellence whichonly make sense in combination with a thoroughstructural reform of the research and educationsectors. In my opinion, the development ofhuman resources, with a particular focus on theparticipation of female researchers in the inno-vation system, and improved funding for theuniversity sector are of central importance.

Is there a need for additional instruments to

foster excellence, such as the introduction of the

excellence bonus recommended in the Strategy

for Excellence?

Graf: The Austrian Council recommends makingprovision for this excellence bonus called “Excel-lence on Top End” (EXOTE). The bonus should bepaid out to a maximum of five outstanding re-search teams in the form of an additional fixedsum of between 500,000 and one million euros.In principle, I view such extra measures positively.However, it must be additional funding. The re-commendation made by the Austrian Council toimprove the effectiveness of funding in the col-laborative sector by bundling programmes to en-courage cooperation is also the correct approach.

Hakl: In my opinion, the measures that havealready been agreed should be implementedbefore the programmes are developed further.The package of measures to promote excellenceis nicely wrapped up and now has to be imple-mented. It should then be followed by additional,pin-pointed measures. The results of the presentsystem therefore have to be evaluated in terms oftheir output and not just according to the amountof money that has been invested. This evaluationis already underway.

Sburny: In the next few years there have to befar-reaching changes in how university researchis funded. It is good, for example, that the ScienceFund will be allowed to pay for overhead costs.

However, to promote excellence, a system re-form is needed which sets in well before the uni-versity level. Measures must be taken at nurseryschool to arouse children’s curiosity about thingsthat are new. Students should not lose thepleasure they find in experimenting on their wayto university; instead taking risks to create some-thing new has to be given a more positive con-notation!

Gartlehner: Establishing clusters of excellencein accordance with the plans of the AustrianScience Fund would accelerate the process ofdefining key areas initiated by the specialistresearch areas. With a life of twelve years, theseclusters would serve as research institutes with anexpiry date. It would be a good idea to set up twoor three such clusters in the next few years; thefinancial volume would probably run to betweenthree and ten million euros.

Which incentives could encourage research

institutes to make excellence their own objective,

to incorporate it in their strategies and to pro-

mote it?

Hakl: Quality must pay off! The incentivestructures must be geared toward this goal andconstantly reviewed to see whether they are fitfor purpose. The current evaluation of thefunding system in the area of excellence pro-grammes is in progress, and will provide a basisfor further specific improvements. In my opinion,additional incentives and procedures involvingless red tape are needed for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Martin GrafMember of Parliament(FPÖ), Chairman of the Parliamentary ScienceCommittee and a member of the ParliamentaryCommittee for Research,Innovation and Technology

Veit SchalleMember of Parliament(BZÖ) and a member of theParliamentary Committee for Research, Innovation and Technology

o u t l o o k

12

In its Strategy 2010 published in 2005 the Aus-trian Council for Research and TechnologyDevelopment for the first time explicitly called forthe formulation of a strategy to promote excel-lence at all levels and in all performance sectors.The objective of the Strategy for Excellence isboth to raise the overall quality of research inAustria and to make world-class, cutting-edgeresearch possible in Austria on a larger scale thanin the past, with the aim of making Austria a moreattractive centre of research and technology andincreasing its international competitiveness. TheAustrian Council provided crucial impetus withthis recommendation, calling upon other researchand innovation players to formulate elements ofan excellence strategy for their own areas ofresponsibility. The following larger elements havebeen developed since the recommendation wasmade in the Strategy 2010.

The competence centres programme COMET,which promotes long-term collaborative researchpartnerships between science and industry, hasbeen set up. The programme was developed joint-ly by the Ministry for Transport, Innovation andTechnology (BMVIT), the Ministry for EconomicAffairs and Labour (BMWA) and the Austrian Re-search Promotion Agency (FFG) with the supportof the Austrian Council and was explicitly formu-lated as an element of an excellence strategy.

The “Initiative for Excellence in Science” wasdeveloped by the Austrian Science Fund under theauspices of the Ministry for Science and Research(BMWF). The proposal it contains for a cluster ofexcellence targeting basic research in Austria waspresented by the FWF explicitly in response to therecommendation made by the Austrian Council inStrategy 2010. Thanks to the Austrian Council’sStrategy for Excellence, the debate regardingbudgeting for the cluster of excellence has gainednew momentum: The first call will take place in2008. According to the FWF, the programmerepresents the Fund’s contribution to the imple-mentation of the Austrian Council’s Strategy forExcellence.

The establishment of the Institute of Science

and Technology – Austria (I.S.T. Austria), an insti-tute dedicated to state-of-the-art research andgraduate training was approved by Parliament in2006. Implementation is currently underway, thefirst members of staff have been recruited to pre-pare for operations and the search for scientificstaff and the president is proceeding at full speed.

Excellence at the Top and Quality on aBroad LevelThe Austrian Council welcomes these initiatives,as it regards the Strategy for Excellence as anongoing process to which all those involvedshould make a long-term commitment. The threeelements referred to are mainly directed towardthe goal of achieving “excellence at the top” andhave been supplemented by additional elements,the majority of which target the goal of “qualityon a broad level.” These were largely generatedon the basis of the results of the open space con-ference organised by the Austrian Council (seebelow for details) and supplemented by threestudies commissioned by the Council to defineexcellence in the three performance sectors. Asall three studies concluded that there is nouniform definition of excellence, the AustrianCouncil decided for the sake of consistency todefine the concept as particularly high quality oroutstanding performance. Notwithstanding thisconceptual classification, any dismantling ofobstacles in the innovation system which resultsin a verifiable improvement in quality also fallswithin this definition of excellence.Open Space Conference – The open spaceconference took place in May 2006 at TechgateVienna and was attended by approximately 100participants ranging from leading researchersfrom science, industry and collaborative researchinstitutions to representatives of governmentministries, funding agencies, the Federation ofAustrian Industry, the Chamber of Commerce andthe Science Council etc.During the conference a host of topics werediscussed which had been introduced by theparticipants and which essentially covered the

The Strategy for Excellence: The Way to the Top

o u t l o o k

breadth of “excellence”. In addition to organisingthe conference, the Austrian Council was alsocharged with the task of filtering out from the dis-cussions key input for the development of theStrategy for Excellence.International Context – An analysis of globaltrends, international benchmarks and nationaldevelopments is indispensable when formulatingstrategic guidelines. In recent years, scholarly andpublic debates on the subject of excellence havegained increasing international importance. Withthe introduction of the Networks of Excellence inthe Sixth EU Framework Programme for Re-search, excellence even became a key concept inEuropean science and research policy. Con-sequently the international context is highlyrelevant for the development of a national strat-egy for excellence. The Austrian Council hastherefore analysed comparable structures in theUSA, Asia and Europe with a view to borrowingideas for the Austrian innovation system.Germany, the USA and Singapore were describedin detail as examples, creating a global context forthe Strategy for Excellence.The three examples show that there are verydifferent ways of facilitating world-class researchin national innovation systems. It becomes clearthat there is no ideal way to achieve this goal. Inthis respect, a strategy for excellence tailored tothe Austrian innovation system must be speci-fically adapted to the current status of develop-ment and the needs of the domestic scientificcommunity.

Elements of the Strategy for ExcellenceIn order to coordinate the content of the Strategyelements, several discussions were held withexperts and key players in the Austrian researchand innovation system. Following a detailed exam-ination of all the available results, the AustrianCouncil analysed the existing contributions intheir entirety and, after incorporating additionalelements and proposals of its own, defined thecornerstones of a strategy for excellence to beimplemented with the cooperation of the institu-tions concerned. In addition to the three recom-mendations concerning COMET, I.S.T. Austria

and the “Initiative for Excellence in Science”, theStrategy for Excellence includes the followingeight elements, which in turn include a total of21 recommendations:1. Excellence on Top End (EXOTE)

Create an excellence bonus

2. The University SectorMeasuring excellence: Expand quality assur-

ance and quality control

Use performance agreements as a steering

instrument

Improve research infrastructure

3. Corporate SectorEstablish a focus on excellence in RTI funding

Expand the headquarters strategy

Promote a willingness to take risks

4. Collaborative SectorIntroduce target and performance agreements

Bundle programmes to promote cooperation

5. Create framework conditions for quality assur-ance and excellence in research promotion

Reduce obstacles to the development of excel-

lence

Reorganise the structure of programme eva-

luation

6. Human ResourcesDevelop more attractive career models for

researchers

Improve conditions for foreign researchers

Optimise financial support (grants)

Promote international mobility

Increase inter-sectoral mobility

7. Inter- and Trans-Disciplinary ResearchDevelop measures to anchor inter- and trans-

disciplinary research in bottom-up funding and

in institutional practice

8. Gender and ExcellenceEstablish gender mainstreaming as a fun-

damental principle in all programmes and

measures

Outlook – The Strategy for Excellence does notmark the end of the road to achieving moreexcellence in the Austrian innovation system. Onthe contrary, the development of strategies,objectives and implementation steps should beunderstood as a varied and continuously evolvingcanon. As part of this process, the Austrian Coun-

13

>

o u t l o o k

cil will continue to keep abreast of activities andput forward proposals for new initiatives incooperation with all stakeholders in the inno-vation system.Individual elements of the Strategy for Excel-lence have already been dealt with in detail at thetopical sessions of the open space conference orin the studies commissioned by the AustrianCouncil, and so do not therefore require furtherrevision. Others, however, need to be hammeredout in more specific terms. The Austrian Councilhas therefore, inter alia, established a workinggroup to develop an excellence bonus to provideadditional funding for excellence at the top end.The excellence bonus with the working title“Excellence on Top End” (EXOTE) should givewell-known leading researchers and/or research

teams from all performance sectors greater free-dom for their research work. Furthermore, theaward of a bonus for excellence should also castthe spotlight on outstanding researchers and/orresearch teams and ensure that excellence is madevisible. The key points for a bonus for excellencewere drawn up by the working group. The tasknow is to organise the funding and draw up a pro-gramme document.By presenting the Strategy for Excellence at thestart of the Technology Forum in Alpbach inAugust 2007 the Austrian Council has secured aplace for excellence on the research policy agenda.As the publication of the Strategy document waspositively received, it can be assumed that therecommendations will be adopted and imple-mented by those responsible.

14

COMPLEXIT

Y, C

LAIM E-cluster

COMET:K2

COMET: K1K-plusK-indK-net

CD-Laboratories

COMET: K-ProjectsThematic Initiative Programmes

BRIDGE:Translational Research (FWF) | Bridging Programmes (FFG)

Participating institutions: companies, universities, non-university research institutes

(e.g. ARC, ÖAW, JR, LBG etc.) and others

FWF General Programmes FFG General Programmeindirect funding

SFBNFNDK

New instruments with an explicit claim to a position at the top of the international tables

Solely collaborative, hitherto the most demanding,complex funding instruments

Detailed structural and/or content-related parameters, limited calls

Claim to cross-categories up to and including applica-tion or basic research; thematically bottom-up, limitedcalls, in some cases collaboration is a requirement

Basic funding, mostly individual projects, individualplayers, thematically bottom-up, applications may be made at any time

SCIENCE COOPERATION INDUSTRY

The figure shows

federal RTD funding

for all performance

sectors in relation to

the demands and to

excellence

r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s

Successful innovation

policy achieves a balance

between expanding

existing strengths and

changing existing struc-

tures. As the advisory body

to the Austrian Govern-

ment the Austrian Council

has a duty to implement

measures in both direc-

tions in order to safeguard

and increase Austria’s

competitiveness. Its

recommendations are

therefore based on inter-

national benchmarks,

taking into account

specific Austrian needs.

15


16

The Austrian Council for Research and Technol-ogy Development is the strategic advisory body tothe Austrian Government on all issues of research,technology and innovation policy (RTI). It drawsup recommendations for the medium and long-term strategic orientation of Austrian RTI policy.In 2007 the Austrian Council made the followingstatements and recommendations:

Statement regarding the Government Pro-gramme (31 January 2007)

Statement concerning the continuation of theawareness-raising campaign “innovatives-oester-reich.at” (19 March 2007)

Recommendation regarding the financing of in-direct research costs (overhead costs) (10 April2007)

Recommendation regarding the energy researchprogramme (18 April 2007)

Recommendation regarding the future of theResearch Studios Austria (14 May 2007)

Recommendation regarding the Laura BassiCentres of Expertise (7 December 2007)

Statement regarding the restructured RSA (7 December 2007)

Statement regarding the GovernmentProgramme – 31 January 2007

The Austrian Council welcomes the high prioritygiven to research, innovation, technology andscience in the Government Programme for theXXIII legislative period.The Austrian Council regards the measures per-taining to research, innovation and technologyannounced in the Government Programme as animportant contribution to the further develop-ment of Austria as a centre of business andscience, and wishes to underscore the followingobjectives and measures by making the followingstatement:

The need for multi-year planning and long-termfinancing certainty

Ten percent annual increase in federal expen-diture on R&D

Topping up of the technology billion by 2010,with an additional EUR 345 million to be madeavailable in 2007 (Basis 2006: 295 + 50). Thesefunds must be used solely for R&D relevantmeasures and form the basis for achieving theGovernment’s target of raising R&D spending tothree percent of GDP.

The establishment of the energy fund with anemphasis on R&D. The strategies drawn upwithin the framework of FORNE such as Energy2050, and instruments must feature prominently.

Adherence to the goal of a three percent R&Dquota by 2010 with the aim of triggering as much

private investment in research as possible in or-der to establish a long-term funding ratio of onethird public sector, two thirds private sector.

These goals are important signals and an invita-tion from the public sector to businesses to beequally consistent in pursuing the goal of a threepercent R&D quota. The structural reform calledfor in the Government Programme is a prerequi-site for the qualitative and quantitative progressof the Austrian innovation system and of R&Dactivities. Improving the efficiency and increasingthe effectiveness with which funds are used forR&D is an element of this process.

The Consequence from the Austrian Council’s

Point of View – The purpose of the actionfunding is to achieve the three percent researchquota in 2010. The proportion of action funds asa percentage of total federal expenditure for R&Dvaries from year to year. Against this background,the Austrian Council considers it impossible tohold to the previous fixed quotas allocated to theministries. The Austrian Council will base its re-commendations on the total budget for R&D.

Summary – The Austrian Council supports thestrong commitment of Austrian policymakers toR&D and points out that only the consistentimplementation of the planned measures andtargeted use of the necessary funds will contribute

Recommendations 2007


to furthering the development of an efficientAustrian innovation system. Effective cooperationbetween all levels of RTD policy and the fundingsystem is regarded as particularly important by theAustrian Council.The Austrian Council is pleased to accept the assign-ment formulated in the Government Programmeto continue to advise the Government during thislegislative period and to support its efforts toposition Austria as an international leader in thefield of research and technology development inorder to help safeguard Austria’s status as anindustrial location and knowledge hub.

Recommendation “Innovatives Öster-reich” 2007 to 2010 – 19 March 2007

The initiative “innovatives-oesterreich.at” waslaunched in 2001 on the basis of an AustrianCouncil recommendation to the Government toraise awareness of the importance of research,development and innovation. Due to its successthe programme was continued in 2004-2006 in asecond campaign which focused more stronglyon actively involving the target groups. The statedaim is to present research and technology in a

more accessible form and thus increase publicacceptance and awareness of the benefits pro-duced by science and research.“innovatives-oesterreich.at” addresses the publicat large, but at the same time aims to raise thequality of the public relations work carried out byresearch and development institutions. In orderto provide the Austrian scientific community witha uniform brand presence “innovatives-oester-reich” functions as a platform, dialogue pro-gramme, campaign, brand and website. Joint in-ter-ministerial measures and activities organisedby individual ministries were carried out as partof the initiative and placed under the umbrella ofthe campaign. A central event was the first LongNight of Research in Vienna, Linz and Innsbruckwhich attracted some 50,000 visitors.The initiative was sponsored by the Ministry forEducation, Science and Culture (BMBWK),–since January 2007 the Ministry for Science andResearch (BMWF), the Ministry for Transport,Innovation and Technology (BMVIT), the Ministryfor Economic Affairs and Labour (BMWA) and theAustrian Council for Research and TechnologyDevelopment.

17

>


18

In its Strategy 2010 (on page 33) the AustrianCouncil called for the initiative “innovatives-oesterreich.at” to be continued beyond the cur-rent second campaign until 2010. This demand isalso supported by the positive results of theparallel evaluation.

The Austrian Council recommends the continu-ation of the programme until 2010. Two percentof the special ministry funds amounting to EUR275 million per year (the equivalent of roughlyEUR 5.5 million) should therefore be ring-fencedfor awareness measures in the period 2007 to2010. Half this sum should be used for measuresimplemented by the individual ministries, theother half for joint, inter-ministerial activities.All awareness measures – be they ministerial orinter-ministerial activities – are organised underthe umbrella brand “innovatives-oesterreich.at”,i.e. the brand line and corporate identity of theumbrella campaign will remain in use.In the next campaign, the successful Long Nightof Research should be established as a regularannual event in spring. The money for this willcome from the contingency fund for the research

action programme, with a volume of roughly onemillion euro (net) to be scheduled for each event.A reserve amounting to five percent of the esti-mated total costs for “innovatives-oesterreich.at”,including the Long Night of Research, is also tobe created from the contingency fund for anycosts that might arise for programme manage-ment and implementation.

Concept and Guidelines – In terms of organis-ational implementation, the Austrian Councilrecommends the following as part of a compre-hensive governance structure:

the appointment of a steering committee as thestrategic management and controlling bodycomprising representatives of the sponsoringorganisations, i.e. the BMWA, BMWF, BMVIT andthe Austrian Council for Research and TechnologyDevelopment, under the lead management of theAustrian Council.

The introduction of an umbrella managementsystem as a central hub for the coordination ofmedia and communication work and monitoringof programme activities, and also as a point ofcontact for project sponsors and agencies.


A simplification of programme implementationby entrusting the FFG with responsibility for award-ing the contracts for the Long Night of Researchand inviting tenders for the umbrella managementand for financial controlling and monitoring.The main task of the umbrella management is tocarry out quality assurance in accordance with theoverriding focus of “innovatives-oesterreich.at”,while the FFG as the monitoring and controllingbody is responsible for ensuring the quality ofimplementation and administration. In 2008tenders for the Long Night of Research should beinvited and contracts awarded separately fromthe rest of the campaign in order to ensure thatit takes place as scheduled in May 2008. The sub-sequent challenge will be to integrate the LongNight of Research into the overall initiative and toimplement it accordingly through the umbrellamanagement. To this end, the tenders for theLong Night of Research should initially be invitedseparately from the campaign for a one yearperiod with an option for annual events up to 2010.The requirements of the steering committee formthe basis for the specifications to be drawn up bythe FFG which will serve as the central elementof the tender for the Long Night of Research andwhich, in a suitably modified form, will serve asthe basis for the work of the umbrella manage-ment.

Recommendation regarding the finan-cing of indirect research costs (overheadcosts) as a contribution to structuralchange and the definition of key areasat Austria’s universities and non-uni-versity research institutes – 10 April 2007

In its policy document Strategy 2010 the AustrianCouncil for Research and Technology Develop-ment made a recommendation to ensure thefinancing of indirect costs (overhead costs) forresearch. The Federal Government has includedthis recommendation in the Government Pro-gramme for the 23rd legislative period. Based onthis the Austrian Council considers it necessary tostart financing indirect research costs as a con-tribution to structural change and the definitionof key areas at Austria’s universities and non-uni-

versity research institutes. The aim is to cover15 to 25 percent of direct research costs for theyears 2008 and 2009. When providing financing,great care must be taken that it does not lead toa shift in funding between basic research andapplied research.At the same time, the Austrian Council forResearch and Technology Development recom-mends that as of 2010 the funding of indirectresearch costs should be coordinated with theperformance agreements which are to be re-negotiated with the research bodies.The responsible ministries are urgently requestedto carry out demand assessments and make ap-propriate budgetary provisions in preparation forthe legislative period starting in 2010.

Background and Current Situation – In the past,research institutes in Austria which obtain exter-nal funding for research projects, have, in certainareas, only received funding for a specific project,but not for the necessary infrastructure. Con-sequently the funding obtained in competitiveprocedures for such projects plays only a sub-ordinate role in bringing about structural changeand a definition of priorities at research institutesin Austria. The financing of overhead costs will turn exter-nal funding raised in competitive procedures intoan important element of performance-basedfunding for universities and research institutes. Byfinancing indirect costs, research funding can bemade more competitive in comparison with other“externally funded projects”, which in somecases make considerable contributions to over-head costs at the research institutes.Within the European Union there is a trend towardthe full-cost funding of research, although flatrates ranging from seven to 60 percent are stillcustomary.Starting in 2007, Germany will fund 20 percent ofoverhead costs for special research areas, researchcentres and graduate colleges and as of 2008 willextend this to cover other new DFG-assistedresearch projects. In 2010 responsibility forfunding will be transferred away from FederalGovernment to the states.

19

>


20

Recommendation regarding a long-termperspective for the energy researchprogramme – 18 April 2007

The Austrian Council stresses the importance ofinvestments in energy research for Austria’seconomic development. Innovations are theonly way to secure energy supplies that do notdepend on imports and to increase Austria’s tech-nological lead in future. In particular, the socialand ecological relevance and responsibility ofenergy research should be underlined. The Aus-trian Council is therefore committed to fundinghigh-risk research projects and technologies thatwill only be marketable in the longer term.The Austrian Council thus welcomes the energyresearch programme that has been jointly pre-sented by the Ministry for Transport, Innovationand Technology (BMVIT) and the Ministry forEconomic Affairs and Labour (BMWA). It also re-commends that the funding agency entrustedwith the programme’s implementation (FFG)commence work as quickly as possible.The Austrian Council regards the energy researchprogramme as a first important step within theframework of the current strategy processENERGIE 2050 (e2050) and advocates the pursuitof measures which will take it to a more ad-vanced level such as basic research, human capac-ity, international cooperation and infrastructuremeasures.In principle, the necessary funds for the energyresearch programme should be provided fromthe Climate and Energy Fund. To enable theprogramme to start without delay, the AustrianCouncil recommends providing initial fundingamounting to EUR 20 million from the con-tingency fund for 2007. It also advocates an addi-tional endowment for 2007 from the Climate andEnergy Fund. In this connection, the Austrian Council believesthe Climate and Energy Fund should focus onR&D and that it should be quickly endowed withnew, additional funding. To ensure the successful implementation of theenergy research programme the Austrian Council

believes that a continuous process of coordina-tion between the ministries is necessary. The pro-gramme structure and specific responsibilitiesmust be clearly outlined and communicatedaccordingly. The Austrian Council welcomes the underlyingconcept of the programme as a learning anddynamic programme and believes that it would beexpedient for the Council to be involved in thereview process. At the same time, the tasks andobjectives of the FORNE Initiative1 should betaken into account.

Recommendation regarding the futureof the Research Studios Austria – 14 May

2007

Since 2002 the Ministry for Economic Affairs andLabour (BMWA) has funded the pilot projectResearch Studios Austria (RSA) for appliedresearch in the field of information and com-munications technologies (ICT). Small, flexibleresearch units (studios) were set up for selectedthematic areas. Working closely with universityinstitutes they pick up knowledge generated inacademic research and then develop it furtheruntil it can be brought to market. In the emergingthematic area of ICT these small-scale researchunits collaborate closely in an Austria-widenetwork and in addition to applied research(scientifically induced due to the close links withuniversity institutes) also carry out research pro-jects in cooperation with companies (market andapplication-oriented).The evaluation of the RSA carried out by the Rhei-nisch-Westfälische Institut für Wirtschaftsfor-schung (RWI Essen) on behalf of the BMWA inMay 2006 provides an overview of the Studios’activities. The Research Studios Austria are asubject of fierce debate in the Austrian scientificcommunity, especially the question if and to whatextent the RSA creates benefits for the system.

Restructuring – The Austrian Council recom-mends a restructuring of the Research StudiosAustria, which goes beyond spinning off control-

1 FORNE = Forschung für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (Research for Sustainable Development)


ling duties. The RSA should be designed as anindependent programme under the RTD guide-lines. The RSA division in the Austrian ResearchCenters (ARC) should be closed. The nameResearch Studios Austria should be retained asthe basis for the programme, with the FFG carry-ing out development and implementation inoperational terms under the overall responsibilityof the BMWA. The twofold aim is to achieve com-petition between the studio applications, whichwill be managed by the FFG in the form of invita-tions to submit bids, and to ensure the transparentapplication of the regulations governing state aidrequired by the research framework of the EU, inparticular for market-oriented activities. This in-cludes, inter alia, laying down clear, transparentand objectives rules for the establishment, con-tinuation and closure of the individual studios(indicators) as well as periodically assessingstudios which have been approved with a view totheir continuation.This programme should be developed on thebasis of the criteria for programmatic activities de-manded by the Austrian Council before Septem-

ber 2007 and subjected to an ex ante evaluation.The programme will be finalised on the basis ofthe results of this evaluation and submitted tothe Austrian Council for recommendation.

Timeframe – The FFG should draw up the pro-gramme documents and performance cataloguesfor an RSA programme 2008-2010 by the end ofSeptember 2007 so that an ex ante evaluationcan be carried out before the end of 2007. Thequestions for the evaluation will be drawn upjointly by the BMWA, the FFG and the AustrianCouncil under the lead management of theBMWA. Based on the results of this evaluationthe responsible ministry should complete theformal processes by the middle of Decemberand submit the final programme concept to theAustrian Council for a recommendation. Following an invitation to submit proposals fromFebruary to the end of March, the restructuringcan be implemented from April 2008 onward.Until the new programme is actually implemented,interim financing should be provided for theexisting studios which should roughly correspond

21

Students of the

Vienna University

of Economics

and Business

Administration at

the offices of the

Austrian Council

>


22

to the amounts made available in 2006. Onlyexisting commitments, i.e. current studios andcontracts which have already been concluded forEU projects should be funded; new studios andEU projects which are on the waiting list shouldonly be realised once the final programme con-cept has been submitted to and approved by theAustrian Council. If the programme does notreceive a recommendation from the AustrianCouncil, it should be phased out in 2008.

Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise – 7 December 2007

As women are seriously underrepresented in thefield of research and the natural sciences, particu-lar emphasis was given to the issue of women inresearch and technology as early as 2002 (see Re-commendation of 14/15 February 2002). In bothits Strategy 2010 and its Strategy for Excellence,the Austrian Council has underlined the import-ance of offering women better career opportunitiesand eliminating structural barriers which preventthem from carrying out excellent research.The concept upon which the Laura Bassi Centresof Expertise programme is based directly tacklesthe structural problems that have been identifiedas putting women at a disadvantage. It breaksnew ground in terms of selection procedures andas well as evaluating the scientific quality of theresearch work also assesses the quality of theresearch management in relation to the arrange-ments for cooperation with the company part-ner(s) and with regard to human resources. Indoing so, the programme not only makes pro-mising female research and management workvisible to industry. Its experimental nature alsomakes it possible to use the results for otherprogrammes.The Austrian Council therefore emphatically wel-comes the pilot programme Laura Bassi Centresof Expertise that will be run by the Ministry forEconomic Affairs and Labour and the AustrianResearch Promotion Agency (FFG). It recom-mends the implementation of the programmeonce the duration and the corporate structure ofthe Laura Bassi Centres of Expertise have beenestablished.

New Research Studios Austria Statement Concerning the Draft of theNew Programme Document – 7 December 2007

In recent weeks, the BMWA and the StructuralProgrammes division of the FFG have drawn upa draft programme for the restructuring of theResearch Studios Austria in accordance with theAustrian Council recommendation dated 14 May2007. This paper has now been submitted to theAustrian Council. The following demands madeby the Austrian Council have been met: In particu-lar, measures have been taken to ensure trans-parent competition in application procedures andto ensure that the RTD guidelines and the EUframework for state aid are observed. The programme will be managed by the StructuralProgrammes division of the FFG. It is open withregard to fields and topics and all university andnon-university scientific institutions are eligible toparticipate. The Austrian Council welcomes therestructuring of the Research Studios Austria inline with its recommendation, but calls for theimplementation of those points which have stillnot been fulfilled:

Ex-ante evaluation by an independent andsuitably qualified institution which is not subjectto directives from the responsible ministry

Inclusion of the Austrian Council’s expertise inthe development of the terms of reference forthe programme evaluation

Retention of the thematic focus on the emergingthematic area information and communicationstechnologies

Measures to ensure that the contract for thecoordination function is awarded to one or moreexternal institutions following a competitivetender procedure.

c r e a t i n g k n o w l e d g e

23

The Austrian Council’s

work is based on the

principle of facilitating

innovation and talking

about it. In 2007 intensive

work continued in the

strategic fields.


24

The Platform RTI Austria: Cooperationbetween Federal Government and theProvincesAt the end of 2006 – as the result of a series ofworking groups initiated by the Austrian Council– a concept was presented for a more profes-sional form of cooperation between the FederalGovernment and the provinces in the area ofRTD. The Platform RTI Austria is designed as ameeting of permanent representatives of the pro-vinces and the funding agencies (AWS, FFG,FWF). They gather twice a year (with no right tosend a substitute) to discuss important issuesrelating to the content and structure of research,technology and innovation policy. In accordancewith a rotation principle, each province musthost the platform once before it moves to Viennafor the next meeting.

Organised by the Austrian Council and supportedby external moderators, the first meeting washeld in Linz on 20 and 21 June 2007 at the invita-tion of the Technology und Marketinggesellschaft(TMG). The response on the part of the partici-pants was positive and could be seen as a strongindicator of the sustained high level of commit-ment for future meetings. It was therefore hardlysurprising that the second platform event in 2007,held on 19 and 20 November in Innsbruck at theinvitation of the Tiroler Zukunftsstiftung, thebusiness location development agency of theProvince of Tyrol, was also a big success. Platform discussions in 2007 focused mainly onhuman resources, benchmarks and indicators forcomparisons between the provinces, upon clus-ters and on raising public awareness of researchand technology.

Update: What has been accomplished

The members of the

Platform RTI Austria

at its first meeting

on 20/21 June 2007

in Linz


The first meeting in 2008 will take place on 8 and9 May in Salzburg, the second in November willbe held in Bregenz. Discussion in Salzburg willfocus on the humanities, social and culturalsciences and the ICT research strategy.

Energy Research: An Emerging ThematicArea for AustriaAt a meeting held on 18 April 2007 the AustrianCouncil issued a recommendation for the energyresearch programme that had been jointly sub-mitted by the ministries for infrastructure andeconomic affairs. In making this recommendation, the AustrianCouncil emphasised the importance of invest-ments in energy research for Austria’s economicdevelopment and committed itself to encouraginghigh-risk research projects and technologieswhich will only be marketable in the longer term.The Austrian Council regards the energy researchprogramme as a first important step in the cur-rent strategy process Energy 2050 and advocatesthe pursuit of further measures in the areas ofbasic research, human capital, internationalcooperation and infrastructure.The Austrian Council basically believes thatfunds for the programme should be made avail-able from the Climate and Energy Fund (KLI.EN).However, to enable the programme to start with-out delay, it was recommended that fundingfrom the contingency fund be used. However,even after the establishment of KLI.EN there arestill difficulties with the coordination proceduresrecommended by the Austrian Council and theseneed to be rectified as quickly as possible in orderto guarantee the smooth implementation of theenergy research programme.

Strengthen Strengths – a Research Strat-egy for ICTThe Austrian Council has in the past already ac-knowledged the importance of and need for anAustrian strategy for research and developmentin the area of information and communicationstechnologies. In the light of a demand from theNational Audit Office it has now started work ondeveloping this strategy itself.

The prime objective is to develop an inter-ministerial strategy for ICT research in ac-cordance with Strategy 2010 that aims to con-solidate national strengths and to lay thefoundation for the long-term internationalcompetitiveness of Austrian science and indus-try. The implementation of the goals is to beachieved by measures agreed between thevarious ministries.Background

The planned strategy is based on an explorato-ry study to survey the specific Austrian situationin the Austrian ICT sector that was carried outby eutema technology management on behalf ofthe BMVIT. The results were discussed at atheme meeting with the ministries concerned(Transport, Innovation and Technology –BMVIT, Economic Affairs and Labour – BMWAand Science and Research – BMWF) held inautumn 2007. During this meeting, the mainpoints and activities of an ICT research strategywere defined and a decision taken to entrusteutema with the process guidance.Steps toward an ICT Research Strategy

The strategy process will be launched inFebruary 2008 and should be completed by theend of the year. The Technology Forum inAlpbach will be an important milestone as it ishere that the interim results will be presented toa wider audience. Eutema will be commissionedby the Austrian Council which will play a coordi-nating role in the strategy process. The BMVITwill be responsible for defining the thematicfocus. At the operational level, eutema will beclosely supported by the Austrian Council’ssecretariat, especially with regard to the develop-ment and formulation of the strategy paper. Thefinal result of the process should be a self-con-tained strategy document upon the basis ofwhich the Austrian Council can make a recom-mendation to the Austrian Government.

Basic ResearchThe Austrian Council has considered the topicof basic research in detail in order to prepare thestrategic guidelines for this important area ofthe innovation system.

25

>


26

The Structure of the Humanities, Socialand Cultural Sciences in AustriaThe Austrian Council for Research and Technol-ogy Development has commissioned a study tocompile an overview of the structure (employees,research and working conditions) of the human-ities, social and cultural sciences in Austria. Thisreview will follow up on the results of regionalstudies and will cover the entire country. In thisway, regional results obtained earlier will beplaced in a nationwide context and the high-quality allocation of resources within the Austrianhumanities, social and cultural sciences will beemphasised and reinforced. In particular, thestudy sets out to demonstrate the links betweenfunding policies, human resources, career op-portunities and university and non-university re-search in order to establish a research fundingstructure based on international standards thatwill generate a corresponding research output.On the basis of this survey, the Austrian Council

will draw up a catalogue of measures with pro-posed recommendations for the structural frame-work, the funding and support agendas of thepublic sector and for public awareness-raisingand information. Special emphasis will be givento possible means of improving conditions for re-search, career perspectives for men and women,opportunities for national cooperation withinthe humanities, social and cultural sciences aswell as innovative funding models and effectivepublic relations work for the humanities, socialand cultural sciences.

Models – Scenarios – FundamentalPrinciplesScenario-based calculations and models are to beused to find answers to important questions re-lating to Austrian research funding. An internalAustrian Council working group on “Modellingand Simulation” set up in 2006 continued itswork in 2007.


The topics dealt with by the working groupincluded questions such as: Can the target of aresearch quota of three percent of GDP in 2010be achieved with the current funding structureof the Austrian innovation system? How muchbasic research is “needed” by an innovationsystem in general and by the Austrian system inparticular? Compared to other countries Austria has a veryhigh percentage of foreign-funded research, howshould this be dealt with? Is the funding andfinancing structure for research, technology andinnovation in Austria suitable for generatingstronger incentives for private-sector investmentin R&D? The underlying issues are the leverageeffect of direct R&D funding, the impact ofbasic research, the importance of indirectresearch funding for Austria as a location forresearch and industry etc.In the course of dealing with these topics andvarious other discussions, the secretariat andthe working group gathered data, quantitativebaselines and analyses. These were also used onan ongoing basis as input for all the AustrianCouncil’s other activities. Data and prognosestaken from a variety of sources (Statistik Austria,WIFO, OECD, EU …) were used to depictscenarios.In 2007 the following modules were drawn upby the working group:

A model was developed that shows thedevelopment of R&D funding (cash flows). Theforecasts available to date provide “projections”for the respective funding sectors on the basis ofthe political targets. The expected or desireddevelopment of R&D spending can be projectedusing a variety of parameters.

The Austrian Council’s own scenario calcula-tion (3-% path calculation) was continuouslyupdated and refined. As soon as they becameknown, current economic data, forecasts, targetand specific budget figures were incorporated.In 2007 the working group dealt with the fol-lowing topics:

Basic research (summer): Theory, conceptsand scenario calculations (in autumn 2007 Minis-ter Hahn defined a target for basic research)

Spending on tertiary education (summer; inautumn 2007 a parliamentary motion defined aspending target of 2 percent of GDP for tertiaryeducation by 2020)

Scenario calculations and descriptions (spring)R&D funding from abroad (winter)University funding (General University Fund,

external funding etc.)Several of the structural questions that weredealt with will feature less prominently in 2008,as they will be handled within the framework ofthe system evaluation that the Austrian Councilbrought into the discussion in spring 2007 andwhich was commissioned by the responsibleministries at the beginning of 2008.

Reform of the Austrian Academy ofSciencesIn 2007 several important steps were taken toinitiate and implement an organisational reformof the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). On22 June 2007 the Presiding Committee presentedto the academic assembly of the Austrian Academyof Sciences a proposal for a “Reform of the Or-ganisational Structure” which was approved bythe full assembly. The Austrian Council welcomedthe reform of the ÖAW, which represents animportant step in the right direction, especiallythe principle of a clear separation of supervisory,control and operational responsibilities.The Academy now has a Research Board to safe-guard the continued development and quality ofthe research work carried out at the Academy.Moreover, the Academy will also appoint aFinancial Board which – on behalf of the Presi-dent – will examine the institution’s financialaffairs with regard to their thrift, economic effi-ciency and fitness for purpose. The Senate of theAcademy drew up a number of proposals forthe Financial Board. Furthermore, a “YoungAcademy” will also be created in order to redu-ce the overall age of the academic assembly.This Young Academy will have no more than 70members, and membership will be limited to aperiod of eight years. There will also be an agelimit, although what this will be is still a subjectof discussion.

27

>


28

System Evaluation: The Research FundingSystem under the MicroscopeIn its Strategy 2010 the Austrian Council calledfor an inter-ministerial analysis of the entire RTIfunding system. The Federal Government hasalso set itself the goal of optimising fundingmeasures and committed itself to this objectivein the Government Programme (page 56 f.):“The large number of individual funding pro-grammes should be further streamlined bymeans of portfolio analysis, bundling and thesetting of priorities. Particular weight should begiven to the results of evaluations. In this con-nection, reference was also made to the use of

tax relief. Furthermore, strengthening the FFG’sfocus on promoting more radical, higher-riskinnovations was formulated as a goal. It was in this context that the Austrian Councilreiterated the urgent need for such a cross-system analysis of the funding instruments. TheMinistry for Transport, Innovation and Tech-nology (BMVIT) picked up this proposal and inAlpbach announced that it would participate inthe planned initiative. A steering group and astrategic advisory board comprising represen-tatives of the ministries concerned – BMVIT, theMinistry for Science and Research (BMWF), theMinistry for Economic Affairs and Labour


(BMWA) and the Ministry of Finance (BMF) – andthe Austrian Council was established. While theadvisory board safeguards the strategic focus, itis the task of the steering group to prepare andsupport the planned evaluation of the fundingsystem in terms of content. A decision was madeto entrust a consortium of experts with its imple-mentation following an international invitationto tender. The BMVIT together with the BMWAwill act as the lead commissioning parties. Theother ministries and the Austrian Council willthen be involved within the framework of theadvisory board and the steering group.The main contents of the invitation to tender,which formed the basis for the specificationspublished in early November 2007, were definedby the steering group. Subsequently, five high-calibre consortia submitted their offers for thecontract to evaluate the research promotion andfunding system within the framework of thistwo-stage negotiating procedure. On 6 February2008, the contract was awarded to the bestbidder – a consortium comprising the AustrianInstitute of Economic Research, Austrian Institutefor SME Research, and Prognos.The primary goal of the planned evaluation is togenerate a horizontal picture of RTI fundingmeasures in Austria and their interrelation at thesystem level. As well as examining the portfolioof direct funding instruments, the evaluationfocuses strongly on the interaction of indirectand direct research funding.The results of the evaluation are expected toproduce information about which instrumentsare no longer required or only in a changedform. In addition, a contribution to the strategydiscussion should also be made. The evaluationshould also assess whether the existing imple-mentation structures – especially the relation-ship between the ministries and agencies – is stillsuitable for implementing an optimal mixtureof instruments and whether there is appro-priate political control. Ultimately, this alsoaddresses the structures of the entire RTI policysystem. The first results should be presented inAlpbach in summer 2008. The evaluation shouldbe completed in early 2009.

Second Round for the Long Night ofResearchProbably the most successful element of thesecond campaign of the awareness-raisinginitiative “innovatives-oesterreich.at” was theLong Night of Research on 1 October 2005.This assessment was confirmed by the parallelevaluation of the campaign (see page 32 fordetails).The Austrian Council has therefore always hada strongly held wish not only to continue theprogramme as a whole, but to repeat the LongNight of Research as soon as possible. However,for a long time endeavours, foundered due to alack of funding on the part of the responsibleministries (BMVIT, BMWA and BMWF). Finally, in October 2007, the go-ahead was givenfor the Austrian Research Promotion Agency(FFG) to invite tenders for the project manage-ment as a service franchise. A short time later,in December, the contract was awarded to thetwo agencies, GPK and Brainiacs.November 9 was chosen as the date for theLong Night 2008. As with the first event, re-search institutes and companies in cities through-out Austria which are engaged in research willopen their doors to the public for an afternoonuntil late into the night. A network of excitingprojects and stations connected by a shuttle bussystem aims to inspire visitors with the sameenthusiasm for research as scientists, in thehope of increasing the level of acceptanceenjoyed by research and technology among thepublic in general and young people in particu-lar. The hope is that this will also motivate moreyoung people to train for professions in technol-ogy and the natural sciences which suffer froma shortage of personnel. The project will beguided by a steering committee comprisingrepresentatives of the responsible ministriesand the Austrian Council.

29


30

Human Resources in Austria – A Com-parative StudyWithin the framework of a literature review,the Faculty of Economic Sciences at the Uni-versity of Vienna is analysing the area of humanresources. The purpose of the study is to obtainan overview with the aim of demonstrating theimportance of highly qualified people for theAustrian knowledge-based economy. In particu-lar, the links between education systems, immi-gration policy, mobility and gender researchare to be explored.The background to the study: Austria has setitself the goal of becoming one of the leadingknowledge-based societies in Europe. Sectoralchanges, the impacts of globalisation and thedevelopment of the Austrian economy to aknowledge-based economy require the tertiarisa-tion of the country, i.e. a growing percentage ofuniversity graduates. In the next 18 years, em-ployment opportunities for science graduatesare expected to grow five times faster than over-all employment.1 In this context, promotingyoung scientists and engineers is regarded asone of the most important goals of national andinternational research policy. Individuals with auniversity education, especially in engineeringor the natural sciences, not only have excellentchances of finding a job, they also earn signi-ficantly more later on. In 2005, workers inAustria with a degree from a university or Fach-hochschule earned incomes that on averagewere 74 percent higher than those of workersholding upper secondary education diplomasor who had completed an apprenticeshiptraining scheme.2

Nevertheless, the number of individuals whocomplete tertiary education is still too low tomeet the demand arising from the economicand social developments. The results of thestudy, which will be completed in spring 2008,

will provide the basis for a human resourcesstrategy to be drawn up during the course of2008.

Austrian Council + FTEval: “Evaluationof Austrian Research and TechnologyPolicies: A Summary of Austrian Evalu-ation Studies from 2003 to 2007”Evaluation is today a recognised instrument forimproving a national innovation system.It supports those in positions of responsibilityas they make decisions about the use of publicfunds for research, technology and innovation.In the last ten years a great deal of progress hasbeen made in Austria in the area of evaluation– methodical improvements have been made, amore systematic approach has been adoptedand much has been done to ensure that evalu-ation results are acted upon.The Austrian Council for Research and Tech-nology Development and the Platform Researchand Technology Policy have made an importantcontribution to providing a better informationbase for research and technology policy andto transparency in the RTI sector. The book“Evaluation of Austrian Research and Tech-nology Policies: A Summary of Austrian Evalu-ation Studies from 2003 to 2007” published inAugust 2007, provided an important synopsisfor the evaluation of Austrian research andtechnology policy. Furthermore, most of theevaluation reports (and there are over 160) per-taining to diverse programmes and institutionscan be downloaded in full from the platform’swebsite www.fteval.at.This comprehensive account of all evaluationsin the RTI sector that have been carried out andmade available in Austria to date, represents acompilation that is unique in Europe. The stronginterest in this publication – 1,500 copies havealready been sent out – also manifested itself at

Basic Expertise: Reports and Studies 2007

1 WIFO (2006): Mittelfristige Beschäftigungsprognose für Österreich. Berufliche und sektorale Veränderungen bis 2010 2 OECD (2007): Education at a Glance 2007. OECD Indicators. Upper secondary graduation rates (2005


events such as the Annual Conference of theAmerican Evaluation Association in Baltimorein the USA.

Study: Venture Capital (VC) and Pri-vate Equity (PE) for the InnovationSystemThe Austrian economy needs innovative busi-nesses. International comparisons show thatcountries with powerful innovation systems arecharacterised by both technology-oriented pro-duction structures and highly-qualified workersas well as high levels of R&D spending andpatent registrations. PE/VC markets must beregarded as an integral part of such powerfulinnovation systems.The value of PE/VC and the associated effects onsales and employment are sufficiently wellknown. At the same time, however, the economyas a whole suffers if promising projects eithercannot be started or implemented due to a lackof financing.

This is particularly true as far as research anddevelopment-intensive companies in the earlyphase of their existence are concerned. Never-theless, in an international comparison, Austriahas a relatively low volume of PE/VC. Moreover,funds that are raised are mainly invested inprofitable expansion or internationalisationprojects and less in early and thus more riskyphases.In early 2007 the Austrian Council thereforecommissioned the Faculty of Economic Sciencesat the University of Vienna to conduct a studywhich was carried out in two phases: The aimof the first phase was to prepare a synopsis ofnational and international studies and theirresults for the Austrian PE/VC market, to pro-cess information for the players in the Austrianinnovation system and to place the results in aEuropean context. This work, which wascompleted in July 2007, provided the basis forphase 2 (autumn 2007 – spring 2008) in whichfurther recommendations and a specific cata-

31

>

Private Equity Investment as % of GDP in 2005

Source: EVCA, Yearbook 2006, European Private Equity & Venture Capital Association, Zavertem, Belgium, page 65

1,6

1,4

1,2

1,0

0,8

0,6

0,4

0,2

0,0

Slo

vak

Rep

ublic

Gre

ece

Cze

ch R

epub

lic

Hun

gary

Aus

tria

Pol

and

Bel

gium

Irel

and

Ger

man

y

Sw

itzer

land

Fin

land

Italy

Por

tuga

l

Nor

way

Spa

in

Eur

ope

Fra

nce

Net

herla

nds

Den

mar

k

Sw

eden

Uni

ted

Kin

dom

0.05

3

0.02

2

0.00

5

0.00

4

0.05

8

0.06

4

0.06

5

0.06

7

0.12

0

0.12

3

0.14

8

0.15

4

0.16

5

0.17

7

0.29

4 0.41

9

0.43

1

0.46

5

0.50

6

0.06

1

1.33

1


32

logue of measures were drawn up jointly withthe relevant stakeholders and the responsiblegovernment ministries.The catalogue of measures aims to strengthenAustria’s position in the area of PE/VC. It con-tains both recommendations pertaining to thestructural and legal framework and to thefunding and support agendas of the publicpurse. It also highlights parallel measures thatcan be taken to raise awareness.

FTEval Newsletter on “Excellence: ToPick or Foster?”On 15 December 2006 the Austrian Council forResearch and Technology Development and thePlatform Research and Technology Evaluationheld a day dedicated to excellence focusing on“picking excellence” (see the Austrian CouncilReport 2006). In 2007 a special edition of thePlatform for Research and Technology Evalu-ation’s newsletter published a detailed accountof this event, supplemented by contributionsfrom Prof. Dervilla Donnelly (Austrian Council),Marcel Herbst (4mation, CH), Thomas Pelsoci(Delta Research, USA) und Prof. ChristophMandl (Mandl, Lüthi & Partner, AT).

Parallel Evaluation “innovatives-oesterreich.at”In early 2007 the final results of the parallelevaluation of the dialogue programme “inno-vatives-oesterreich.at” were presented. With aconcept focusing on target groups and dialogues,the second campaign in the Austrian awareness-raising initiative for research and technologyproved to be an excellent investment, generatinga higher than average impact even in an inter-national comparison. The recipe for success:The campaign and the individual projects im-plemented under its umbrella are tailored tothe relevant target groups, but are neverthelessrecognisably part of an overall concept.The Campaign

The subject of the evaluation carried out by theAustrian Institute for SME Research, Techno-polis and TNS Infratest was the second “inno-vatives-oesterreich.at” campaign which finished

at the end of 2006. This communication plat-form was jointly sponsored by the ministriesfor science, transport and economic affairs andthe Austrian Council with the aim of raising thestatus of research and technology in Austriansociety. Scientists, research institutions, mediaand communication experts were invited toembed the image of science and research moreprominently in the minds of the Austrian publicwith a host of individual measures and pro-jects implemented under the umbrella of“innovatives-oesterreich.at”. The campaign firstand foremost addressed young people and smalland medium-sized enterprises as the bearers of hope for the future and as key centres ofresearch. Strong Impact

As the parallel evaluation confirms, these targetgroups were successfully reached. At the end ofthe campaign, every third 14 to 25 year old andevery fifth small and medium-sized enterprisewas familiar with the campaign “innovatives-oesterreich.at”. Almost 60 percent of the youngpeople surveyed were of the opinion that theprogramme had stimulated their interest ininnovation and made them curious for furtherinformation. Fifty-five percent even regarded itas an important step for the future of Austria.The level of awareness among SMEs was evenhigher. More than 80 percent said the campaignwas an inducement to further thought and thatit was also important for Austria.Respondents also confirmed that “innovatives-oesterreich.at” had a higher than average impactin comparison with awareness campaignsabroad. Measured against the German standardthat TNS uses as a benchmark, “innovatives-oesterreich.at” had a higher than average targetgroup involvement; at the end of 2006 it was11 percent above the average for comparablecampaigns. The motivating effect of “innovati-ves-oesterreich.at” was also comparatively highat more than six percent above average.Main Event Long Night of Research

The campaign’s central large-scale event, thefirst Long Night of Research in 2005, can rightlybe considered a “flagship project” of the “inno-

vatives-oesterreich.at” campaign, not justbecause of its high profile, but also because theresponse it generated among visitors and or-ganisers. Almost two thirds of the visitors whowere interviewed said they would recommendthe Long Night to others. Fifty-five percent saidthey would come to another Long Night ofResearch. Among the participating institutions,more than half those surveyed said the LongNight of Research had met their expectations,while 56 percent said they would be willing tooversee a station again if the Long Night ofResearch were repeated.Room for Improvement

Of course, there were also a number of criti-cisms, especially as far as the organisationalstructures were concerned. The authors of thestudy called for “more clearly defined com-petencies” and a “clearer separation of content-related work and management activities”. A keyaspect concerned the coordination of the indi-

vidual project activities and the management oftheir media presence by an agency with a clearlydefined remit. The main criticism was that thecontracts for these services were awarded totwo different agencies, which not only made itmore difficult for them to carry out their workand caused friction losses, but also meant thatit was unclear to the project sponsors whoexactly was responsible for what. Despite the-se organisational deficiencies, the projects or-ganised under the joint umbrella of “innovatives-oesterreich.at” were carried out without delayor administrative strain, resulting in a high levelof overall satisfaction on the part of the projectsponsors about their participation in the cam-paign. Interest in submitting projects for a pos-sible third campaign is correspondingly strong.Work has already commenced on a continuationand the suggestions for improvement set out inthe evaluation are being incorporated into theconcept for the campaign.


33


34

Participants at

the international

meeting of the

national councils

in Berlin

Fact Finding Mission about the Inno-vation SystemFrom 3 to 5 October 2007 a delegation from theAustrian Council secretariat visited Dublin on afact-finding mission in order to gain a deeperknowledge of the Irish innovation system in talkswith representatives of the Irish research land-scape. The Austrian Council wishes to intensifythe exchange of information with internationalpartner organisations as a matter of standardpractice in order to obtain insights into otherinnovation systems with a view to drawing con-clusions for national developments.Ireland was chosen because the Irish RTI systemhas developed extremely dynamically in recentyears. According to the “OECD Science, Tech-

nology and Industry Outlook 2006” the Irish“national policy frameworks” have been success-fully adapted to the global challenges in anexemplary manner. According to the GlobalInnovation Scoreboard 2006, the Irish innova-tion performance ranks just below that of Austriain the category of “smart followers”.Factors for Success

In the case of Ireland, the following factors forsuccess were identified:1. A sustained political commitment to theimportance of RTI funding2. The existence of a binding strategy document,the “Strategy for Science, Technology and Inno-vation” that is accepted by all players3. Institutionalised coordination of the players

International Events


during the implementation of the strategy, in-cluding monitoring and4. the targeted promotion of human resources(as a critical factor for development) at all levelsof the education and innovation system.

Meeting of the International ResearchCouncils in BerlinOn 10 and 11 May 2007 the meeting of theNational Councils for Science and ResearchPolicy of the EU member states was held inBerlin. The main theme of this year’s conferencewas universities in their function as the essentialbasis for a country’s innovation system.The keynote speech with the title “Universitiesas Drivers of Regional Innovation Systems in EastGermany” on the first day was given by Prof.Reinhard Huettl from the Brandenburg Uni-versity of Technology in Cottbus. Prof. Huettl isalso the vice president of acatech, the GermanAcademy of Science and Engineering. The Aus-trian Council for Research and TechnologyDevelopment was represented by the head of thesecretariat Dr. Ludovit Garzik, who addressedthe issue of “Human Capital for the InnovationSociety: Contributions of the Universities”.The first day came to an end with a stimulatingreception in the evening that was opened bythe chairman of the German Science Council,Prof. Strohschneider, and the Permanent Secre-tary of State at the German Federal Ministry ofEducation and Research, Prof. Meyer-Krahmer.The second day of the conference opened withanother interesting introductory speech by Prof.Gerhard Fettweis from the chair for MobileCommunications Systems from the Dresden Uni-versity of Technology titled “From Research toInnovation to Business”. The remainder of theday was filled with diverse presentations by thenational research councils on the role of uni-versity research for the innovative capacity of anational economy.Given the importance of the topic it was agreedthat human resources should also play an im-portant role at the next meeting of the councils.Numerous joint areas of action still need to beidentified and outlined.

Overall, however, the meeting was marked by a consensus regarding the key strategic ap-proaches in this area: greater public awarenessof research and technology, measures to makedegree courses in science and engineeringmore attractive, especially for female students,rapid implementation of the Bologna process tostandardise the tertiary education system inEurope and measures to raise the status of degreecourses in the humanities, social and culturalsciences.

The Austrian Council Research Trip tothe USAFrom 5 to 7 November 2007 a delegation fromthe secretariat of the Austrian Council visitedWashington D.C. in order to gain a deeperknowledge of the U.S. innovation system in talkswith representatives of the US research policyand funding sector. The USA was chosenbecause, together with Asia, it is consistentlydescribed by the European Union as the system,against which the EU competes.According to the OECD in 2003 the USA was thebiggest global spender on research and tech-nology development with 285 million dollars or42 percent of the OECD total. In contrast, the EUaccounted for 31 percent of total spendingwithin the OECD and Japan for 17 percent. TheIMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2006ranked the U.S.A. in first place for its perform-ance in basic and applied research, followed byHong Kong and Singapore.The meetings were organised and well-preparedby the Office of Science and Technology (OST)in Washington D.C. The recently appointedscience attaché Phillip Marxgut, who followedPhillip Steger in this position, and CarolineAdenberger, the deputy head of OST, gave thedelegates an insight into their own work andaccompanied them to all meetings.At diverse briefings, meetings and dinners withrepresentatives from a wide range of institutions,the Austrian delegation was able to obtain adifferentiated picture of the innovation systemin the USA. Topics of discussion included thestructure of R&D financing in the USA, the

35

>


36

change in the still substantial level of publicinvestment in basic research and human re-sources, the evaluation and collection of dataand monitoring. Other items on the agendawere the current strategy “Rising above thegathering storm” and the forthcoming budgetallocation. Discussions here dealt, for example,with the reorientation of the National ScienceFoundation away from a rigid funding of disci-plines toward the promotion of interdisciplina-ry research and the importance of venturecapital for R&D funding.The main lessons are that the system in the USAis characterised by a great deal of differentiation,the individual large funding and policy institu-tions (must) each develop and submit their ownstrategic plans, but there is no real overarchingbroad national strategy. Each institution is ob-liged to undergo a standard assessment (uponthe basis of which public funding is allocated).The principle of evaluation is firmly entrenched,but there is no overarching, comprehensivemonitoring. As the collection of data (about whatis funded, where and how) is neither obligatory

nor standardised, it is not possible to obtain auniform picture of the RTI landscape. Industryis calling loudly for basic research and humanresources to be publicly funded: In response tovarious demands the government only recentlygave a commitment to invest in basic researchand human resources, but this has not yet beenreflected in funding as the annual budget has notyet been approved.

Ludovit Garzik and

Michaela Topolnik

(1 and 4 from left)

visiting Kohl Gill,

Patrick Hamilton, and

Graham Pugh from

the U.S. Department

of Energy / Office of

International Science

and Technology

Cooperation

e v e n t s

37

All knowledge-based

societies are based on

communication and the

exchange of information.

The Austrian Council

therefore invites respected

experts from science,

research and industry

to discuss a host of

important issues.

e v e n t s

38

FameLab 2007 – 21 April 2007

Awakening an interest in and enthusiasm forscience and research among young people is ofthe utmost importance to the Austrian Council.So what could be more logical than to giveyoung scientists an opportunity to publiclypresent the results of their research? This is theaim of FameLab, a talent contest for sciencecommunicators, which in 2007 was held inAustria for the first time under the patronage ofthe British Council with the support of theAustrian Council.FameLab candidates have only a few minutes topresent their scientific idea to a jury of expertsin a form that is both exciting and original. Themost successful competitor was the mineralo-gist Robert Krickl, who impressed the jury withhis explanation of zeoliths – silicate mineralswhich can store up to 40 percent of their dryweight in water.

Council Meeting “Wien denkt Zukunft”– 18 April 2007

At the 44th meeting of the Austrian Council,which was held in the Town Hall of Vienna atthe invitation of the Mayor Dr. Michael Häupl,the RTI strategy of the City of Vienna “Wiendenkt Zukunft” was presented and discussed.This strategy process was presented by Munici-pal Department 27 (EU Strategy and EconomicDevelopment), represented by the departmen-tal head and project manager Christian Wurm.The panel leaders Edeltraud Stiftinger, MichaelStampfer, Hubert Christian Ehalt and ThomasMadreiter then briefed the meeting on the cur-rent status of their panels. The Chairman of theAustrian Council Dr. Consemüller and Councilmember Albert Hochleitner were proponents ofthe accompanying committee. The discussionon the strategy process was led by Deputy MayorRenate Brauner, who took the opportunity to

Large photo:

FameLab 2007

finalist

Pamela Burger

Small photo:

Minister Hahn with

Robert Krickl,

the winner of

FameLab 2007

e v e n t s

announce that the closing event and presenta-tion of the Vienna RTI strategy would be heldon 6 November 2007.In the second part of the meeting, Prof. RenéeSchroeder presented the main points of CampusVienna Biocenter’s Vision 2020. Participants inthe discussion that followed included the com-mercial director of the Institute of MolecularPathology (IMP), Harald Isemann, the CFO ofIntercell, Werner Lanthaler, the then head of theGregor Mendel Institute (GMI), Prof. DieterSchweizer, and Josef Penninger, Director of theMBA (Institute of Molecular Biotechnology).Overall, the Austrian Council received a com-prehensive overview of the planned future ofthe most important institutions in the lifesciences, a field that has been defined as a keyresearch area by the City of Vienna.In her closing address, Deputy Mayor Braunerassured the Austrian Council that its suggestionswould be picked up. She also expressed aninterest in further discussions. Finally, themembers of the Austrian Council were given atour of the Campus Vienna Biocenter, duringwhich representatives of GMI, IMBA and theMax Perutz Laboratories introduced the insti-tutions and guided the visitors through theirrespective premises.

Conference “Austria’s Future in Scienceand Research” – 1 June 2007

At a joint event under the title “Austria’s Futurein Science and Research” the Austrian Councilfor Research and Technology Development andthe Austrian Science Council (ÖWR) presentedcommon principles for a successful future forAustrian research and science policy.According to the two Councils, Austria pos-sesses an efficient science and research systemwhich has developed dynamically in recentyears. The reforms in the tertiary education sec-tor and in the area of research funding havemade a considerable difference in institutionalterms and resulted in greater flexibility. How-ever, there is still potential for improvement andthe limits have not yet been reached. The dis-cussion about how this potential can be fully

leveraged should be based upon an ideal visionfor the development of science and research inAustria, and not just upon what is self-evidentlypolitically feasible – even if the conclusionsought to be based on a realistic perspective.After the elections in October 2006, both the ÖWRand the Austrian Council published science andresearch policy recommendations for the forth-coming legislative period. “Principles for a Suc-cessful Future for Austrian Science and ResearchPolicy” were drawn up on the basis of the Govern-ment Programme and the known federal budgetfor science and research and were presented bythe two Councils at their joint conference:1. The main goal of all endeavours: An overallconcept for Austria as a university and researchcentre and for the innovation system.2. To strengthen an adequately funded, differen-tiated science and research system that is fit forpurpose (key word: sharper profile).3. Performance-based increase in the amountof funding used by applying international stan-dards to the General University Funds (GUF).4. Competition and definition of key areas notonly at an intra-institutional level, but also atthe inter-institutional level and including allresearch establishments.5. Formation of new structures geared to theactual development of science and research com-bined with a cultivation of key research areas andprofiles as well as the enhancement of existingperformance profiles and the promotion of re-cognisable development potential at universities. 6. Greater autonomy for research establishmentsaccompanied by the implementation and profes-sionalisation of management, decision-makingand reporting structures.7. New forms of promotion for young scientistsand new uninterrupted career models.8. Greater internationalisation and a coordinatedinitiative for excellence and quality throughoutthe entire science system.9. Coordination of and critical support for thedevelopment by the two Councils.10. Greater emphasis on the link between theeducation system and the science and researchsystem.

39

>

e v e n t s

40

Focus on Renewable Energy at theAustrian Council Meeting in Güssing – 26 June 2007

“Renewable Energies and Energy Research”formed the focus of the meeting of the AustrianCouncil held in Güssing on 26 June 2007 at theinvitation of the governor of Burgenland, HansNiessl. At the European Centre for RenewableEnergies (EEE), Burgenland’s technology com-missioner Hans Binder presented the province’sstrategy for RTI: Burgenland is currently (2007–2013) in the phasing-out period of the Struc-tural Funds support as an Objective 1 region. Inthe area of research, technology and innovation,the phasing-out programme is focusing on thelead technologies energy and environmentaltechnology, opto-electronics and ICT (NorthBurgenland).Renewable energy has therefore been placedat the heart of the new funding programmes,with the clear goal of making Burgenland self-sufficient in electricity by 2013 and generating

100 percent of all electricity from renewableenergy sources. However, this important contri-bution to climate protection is also intended toattract new companies to the province with theaim of increasing value creation and generatingfuture-oriented jobs. To this end, research ac-tivities should be taken forward and research andindustry brought together in networks whichshould also include the Fachhochschulen.Burgenland also possesses a very successful andinternationally respected model in the form ofthe European Centre for Renewable Energy.Güssing already generates 99 percent of its ownenergy requirement and 100 percent of the elec-tricity it needs from renewable energy sources.The two directors, Reinhard Koch and WernerRauscher, provided an insight into the activitiesof the centre and the “Energy Manager TrainingCourse and Solar Technician Schools”. Prof.Hermann Hofbauer from the Vienna Universityof Technology also spoke about “R&D and Inno-vation at the Competence Hub Güssing”.

Participants at the

Austrian Council

meeting in Güssing

visit the biomass

thermal power plant

e v e n t s

The meeting of all members of the AustrianCouncil addressed the long-standing demandfor system evaluation (portfolio analysis of theAustrian research funding system). The minis-tries were invited to share their ideas andthoughts on the matter. The minister in charge,Werner Faymann, subsequently announced thesystem evaluation at the Alpbach TechnologyForum (together with Minister Johannes Hahn’sResearch Dialogue). The event ended with a tour of the biomassthermal power plant in Güssing.

Annual Conference of the American Evaluation Association: “Evaluation2007: Evaluation and Learning” – 7 to 11 November 2007

The annual conference of the American Evalu-ation Association (AEA) was held between 7and 11 November 2007 in Baltimore. Austria wasrepresented by the platform FTEval, of whichthe Austrian Council is a member. FTEval was

able to present the platform’s work at an exhi-bition and many members of the platform alsoprovided material which was laid out for otherparticipants to take home with them. Four mem-bers of the platform attended the conference.The Secretary General of the platform, KlausZinöcker, played an active role at the eventwithin the framework of the working groupEvaluation in RTD, and also gave a presentationin his capacity as an evaluator. The book “Evalu-ation in Austrian Research and TechnologyPolicies. A Summary of Austrian EvaluationStudies from 2003 to 2007”, published jointly bythe platform FTEval and the Austrian Councilwas well received by the approximately 2,000participants from the USA, North and SouthAmerica, Europe and Asia. The RTD workshopfocused on Austrian, Korean and European(European Commission) RTI evaluation. Therewere also interesting presentations in the work-shops on the lessons learned and on theoriesand methods of evaluation. The workshops and

41

>

Book cover:

“Evaluation of

Austrian Research

and Technology

Policies:

A Summary of

Austrian Evaluation

Studies from 2003

to 2007”

e v e n t s

42

discussion forums ranged from evaluation inthe areas of the social services, education andhealthcare to foreign and development policy.

“Future Search & Assessment Work-shops – Energy and End Consumers” – 26 November 2007

At the initiative of the Austrian Council and incooperation with the Ministries for Transport,Innovation and Technology (BMVIT) and Econo-mic Affairs and Labour (BMWA), the Institute ofTechnology Assessment (ITA) of the AustrianAcademy of Sciences organised a participativepublic conference on “Future Search and Assess-ment – Energy and End Consumers”.Steadily rising levels of energy consumptionmean that measures will have to be taken to safe-guard a secure supply of energy in the future.There is a broad consensus that it is not enough

to develop new technologies and more efficientproducts or service-oriented concepts. Thisparticipative approach was the main motive forthe ITA project to discuss the goals and instru-ments of Austrian energy research with mem-bers of the public.In the run-up to the project and as preparationfor the Future Search and Assessment Workshopin November, a two-day closed conference washeld at which consumer representatives, journa-lists and end consumers examined the topic“The Future of Household Energy” in detail.With a view to moving the Austrian energysystem toward greater sustainability, membersof the public from throughout Austria gatheredfor a weekend in November and drew up mini-assessments for five selected topics and areas oftechnology. These were designed to showwhich measures members of the public con-

On the platform

(from left to right):

Gerald Vones

(BMWA),

Secretary of State

Christa Kranzl

(BMVIT),

Jürgen Stockmar

(Austrian Council)

e v e n t s

43

sider to be particularly suitable or important forincreasing energy efficiency and creating bene-fits for end consumers. The results of this workshop then flowed intothe BMVIT’s experts’ conference “e2050 – En-ergy and End Consumers” held immediately after-wards on the following Monday (26 November2007), making an important contribution to thedevelopment of a strategy for Austria’s energyfuture. The selection of future key areas and thestrategic focus of the Austrian energy researchprogramme were also supported.

“Creative Industries”: Fusion of Cultureand Technology – 4 December 2007

The creative industries are a relatively youngsector which is emerging as a leading driver ofeconomic growth and employment. They arecharacterised by a high degree of interdisci-plinarity and are closely linked to the introduc-tion and use of new technologies.According to the second Austrian CreativeIndustries Report, every tenth company (inabsolute figures: 30,000 companies) belongs tothe creative industries. If the creative industriesare compared with other sectors of the economyit emerges that – except for the effects on employ-ment – they are even more important than thetourist industry in terms of the number of com-panies, revenues, earnings and gross valueadded. And this, although Austria is a classictourist destination.However, there is a blatant disparity betweenthe importance of the creative industries andthe perception of and regard in which thisbranch is held by industry, policymakers and thepublic. In an effort to raise awareness the Aus-trian Council for Research and TechnologyDevelopment, together with the arge creativewirtschaft austria, the Austrian Chamber ofCommerce (WKO) and the Ministry for Econ-omic Affairs and Labour (BMWA) organised thekick-off event “creative industries on stage”.The event, which was held on 4 December,addressed multiplicators, politicians and pro-fessionals from industry, R&D and the creativeindustries. “creative industries on stage” can be

seen as the prelude to further steps toward theformulation of a creative industries strategy.Film as a synonym for the bold implementationof the creative industries ran like a red threadthroughout the entire event, which for thisreason was held at the Urania cinema. Creationand innovation were the fixed points of the day– from the creatively designed invitation tointeractivity in the form of SMS voting and theinnovatively styled catering.All speakers picked up and illuminated thediverse aspects of the event motto. The con-ference attracted respected figures from econ-omics, research and technology policy, in-cluding Secretary of State Christine Marek fromthe BMWA, Reinhold Mitterlehner, DeputySecretary General of the Austrian Chamber ofCommerce, Gertraud Leimüller, chair of thearge creativ wirtschaft austria, and SonjaHammerschmid, head of Technology and Inno-vation at AWS. The international connectionwas provided by Ziga Turk, Slovenian ministerand Lisbon coordinator, and Seamus Cassidyrepresenting the European Commission. Prac-tical relevance was provided by two companiesfrom the creative industries which were intro-duced by their founders, and by Stefan Leitner-Sidl, the father of the innovative office-sharingschemes for young businesses, “Schrauben-fabrik” and the “Hutfabrik”, who presented hislatest brainchild, the “Rochuspark”.Position of the Austrian Council

The Austrian Council was represented byGabriele Zuna-Kratky, who spoke about thefusion of culture and technology as an emergingthematic area. In her presentation she empha-sised the importance for growth and industry ofthe original creative innovation processes thatare made possible by the creative industries andtheir role as crucial competitive factors in aknowledge-based economy.However, the central element of her speechconcerned the bridging function of the creativeindustries between the humanities and cul-tural sciences, and the technical and naturalsciences on the one hand and the market onthe other. >

e v e n t s

44

Problems of the Creative Industries

In the eyes of the Austrian Council, the creativeindustries face an array of problems. These in-clude, for example, their fragmentation, the in-adequate translation of creative potential intoeconomic activities, the (as yet) insufficientattention paid to them by policymakers and thetraditional industries, as well as dispropor-

tionately low access to funding and risk capital.Courses of action include improving access tocapital, in particular risk capital, tax concessionsfor creative work, innovative procurement ac-tivities on the part of the public sector, and ap-propriate training and further training measures,especially business skills to support entrepre-neurial activity.

On the platform (from

left to right): Minister

Ziga Turk (Slovenia),

Gabriele Zuna-Kratky

(Austrian Council),

Gertraud Leimüller

(arge creative

wirtschaft austria),

Secretary of State

Christine Marek

(BMWA), Reinhold

Mitterlehner (Austrian

Chamber of

Commerce)

t h e a u s t r i a n c o u n c i l

45

The Austrian Council has

been entrusted with the

task of defining roadmarks

for Austrian RTI policy.

In this regard, the Council

is only obligated to

pinpoint concepts which

will enable Austria’s

innovative capability to

flourish to the maximum

degree possible.


46

The new Government that was sworn in inJanuary 2007 significantly shaped the work ofthe Austrian Council. Staff at the secretariat hadto get to know new people at the political level,especially in the offices of the governmentministers and accommodate their interests inthe Council’s daily work. However, all concernedwere united by their common goal to shape andfurther develop the Austrian innovation system.The secretariat itself also welcomed a valuablenew recruit in April 2007 when Johannes Gadner,who for many years worked for the parliamen-tary Green Party, joined the team.Content-related work in 2007 was initially domi-nated by the finalisation and publication of theStrategy for Excellence. In a discussion that hadalmost worked the term “excellence” to death,this paper set out a host of visionary approachesin a realistic strategic framework. The topics ofsystem evaluation and research dialogue, whichhad already been discussed at meetings of theAustrian Council in spring, were picked up bypolicymakers in summer at the Alpbach Tech-nology Forum and tackled with a high level of

commitment and an ambitious timeframe. TheAustrian Council is closely involved in theseactivities and is making a constructive contri-bution to the success of the plans.The Austrian Council also attached great im-portance to an exchange of information withpolitical representatives. On 27 November2007, the chairpersons of the Austrian Councilpresented their contributions at the Govern-ment’s “Zukunftsdialog Innovation”, while afirst informal discussion between members ofthe Austrian Council and representatives of theResearch and Science Committee initiated a dia-logue with Parliament. Looking back, on the structural level it is thefirst rounds of the RTI Platform Austria thatstand out. All provincial governors were per-suaded to intensify cooperation between theprovinces and the Federal Government. In termsof the secretariat’s work, this success opens upthe possibility of checking many topics againstthe reality in the regions with clearly identifi-able and long-term contacts in the regions.

Review 2007: Strategy for Excellence Finalised

In 2008 a key milestone in the development ofthe Austrian innovation system will be laid withthe implementation of the system evaluation. Ina parallel measure, the Austrian Council, theministries and the other stakeholders will initiatethe necessary strategy process. The results ofthese processes will then be amalgamated with

the input from the research dialogue and thesystem evaluation to create a long-term AustrianRTI strategy.The main and overarching challenge will be how many people can be drawn to research inAustria both from within the country and fromabroad.

Outlook 2008: Long-Term RTI Strategy

Ludovit GarzikHead of the Secretariat


Secretariat:

New to the Team: Johannes GadnerIn April 2007 Johannes Gadner joined the team atthe secretariat. The earlier focus of his scientificwork means that he brings with him a broadgeneral knowledge of science theory and inno-vation research. His extensive experience of stra-tegic processes and their implementation in apolitical environment is also extremely valuable.Immediately after taking up his position, Mr.Gadner was asked to supervise the Strategy forExcellence and in 2008 will support the imple-mentation of this strategy and the development ofstrategic processes with a long-term focus.

47

The

Secretariat Team

Public Relations WorkIn the fulfilment of its legal mandate the AustrianCouncil uses a variety of instruments to communi-cate with society at large. Thus a total of ten pressreleases were drafted and two press conferencesorganised as part of the Council’s public relationswork. All press releases can be viewed on the Aus-trian Council website at www.rat-fte-at. Further-more, there were a number of media collabora-tions with a variety of partners designed to reacha wider audience beyond the narrow specialistcommunity. Members of the Austrian Council andsecretariat staff also produced a host of guest ar-ticles and took part in lectures and discussions.


48

Hans Schönegger Hans Schönegger studiedbusiness administration andbusiness education at theUniversity of Innsbruck. In1995 he joined the CarinthianEconomic Promotion Fund(KWF) as head of the fundingdepartment, and was appointedto the management board in1998. Hans Schönegger hasbeen managing director ofKärntner Betriebsansiede-lungs- und BeteiligungsgmbHsince 1998 and since 2002has been responsible for theLakeside Park Project.

Gabriele Zuna-Kratky In the late 1980s Gabriele Zuna-Kratky worked at the mediadepartment of the Ministry forEducation and Art. In October1997 she was appointed directorof the Österreichischen Phono-thek. On 1 January 2000 shebecame the first female directorof a technical museum, theTechnisches Museum in Vienna.She is also a member of theUniversity Council of the ViennaUniversity of Technology,a trustee of the DeutschesMuseum Munich and of theBerlin Museum of Technology.

Jürgen Stockmar After obtaining his degree inmechanical engineering JürgenStockmar (who was born inGermany) worked for Audi andthen Steyr-Daimler-Puch, wherehe was appointed to the man-agement board with responsi-bility for research and develop-ment in 1985. After serving onthe management board ofAudi AG, he returned to Steyr-Daimler-Puch in 1990. In 1998he assumed responsibility forglobal development and tech-nology activities at Magna.He also teaches at the ViennaUniversity of Technology.

Reinhard Petschacher After studying communicationsengineering at the Vienna Uni-versity of Technology, ReinhardPetschacher worked on opticalsystems for Daimler-Benz in Ulm before moving to theSiemens’ micro-electronicdevelopment centre in Villach in1980. He subsequently tookover the management of tele-communications componentsdevelopment at the plants inVillach and Munich. ReinhardPetschacher is head of develop-ment at the Automotive, Indus-trial and Multimarket division ofInfineon Technologies AG.

Constitution

The Austrian Council for Research and Tech-nology Development became a legal entity underpublic law on 1 September 2004 following anamendment of the Research and TechnologyFunding Act. It consists of eight members withvoting rights, four of whom are appointed by theMinister for Science and Research and four by theMinister for Transport, Innovation and Technology.Four members of the Government serve on theCouncil in an advisory capacity. The members ofthe Austrian Council with voting rights areappointed for a five year term of office and maybe reappointed for one further period.

Advisory Members

Mag. Wilhelm Molterer, Vice Chancellor and Minister of Finance Werner Faymann, Minister of Transport, Innovation and TechnologyDr. Martin Bartenstein, Minister of Economic Affairs and LabourDr. Johannes Hahn, Minister of Science and Research

Günther BonnDeputy Chairman of the Aus-trian Council – Günther Bonnstudied chemistry at the Uni-versity of Innsbruck. Followingseveral research fellowships inthe USA, including one at Yale,he was appointed to a full pro-fessorship at the University ofLinz. Since 1995 he has heldthe chair for Analytical Chemis-try and Radiochemistry at theUniversity of Innsbruck. Until2003 Bonn was a member ofthe FWF where he worked as adepartment head. He is cur-rently a member of the Univer-sity Council at the MedicalUniversity of Innsbruck.

Albert Hochleitner The former CEO of Siemens AGAustria studied physics at theVienna University of Technology.In 1965 he joined WienerSchwachstromwerken where hesoon took over the softwaredevelopment department. In1992 he was appointed to themanagement board of the groupand became its chairman in1994. Albert Hochleitner hasserved as an expert on theindustry-related aspects ofresearch and technology policyfor several years now.

Dervilla DonnellyDervilla Donnelly was born inDublin and studied chemistryat the University of Ireland.In the mid-1980s she wasappointed professor of photo-chemistry. Donnelly was amember and vice president ofthe executive council of theEuropean Science Foundationand the European Science andTechnology Association(ESTA). She is also the chair-person of the Dublin Institutefor Advanced Studies.

Knut ConsemüllerChairman of the AustrianCouncil – Knut Consemüllerwas born in Dortmund, Ger-many, and studied ferrousmetallurgy and economics. In1991 he was appointed to themanagement board of theBöhler-Uddeholm group withresponsibility for research anddevelopment. From 1976 to1984 he was a member of theGerman technology advisoryboard.


49

Silvo KorezBasic and pre-competitive research, humanities and social and cultural sciences,biotechnology, internationalresearch cooperation, humanresources, institutes ofhigher education

[email protected]

Margarete RohrhoferOrganisation, accounting,personnel and officemanagement

[email protected]

Johannes Gadner Monitoring and support forthe development of strategicprocesses with a long-termfocus (e.g. Strategy for Excel-lence), precompetitive andbusiness-related research,cooperation between scienceand industry, research for sus-tainable development, energyand environmental research.

[email protected]

Alexander HolikBack office and databases

[email protected]

Michaela TopolnikEvaluation and new instru-ments of technology counsel-ling, internationalisation andnetworking, especially RTI inthe European Structural Funds,EU Framework Programmesfor RTD, scenarios andmodelling, monitoring,Austrian Academy of Sciences,indirect research funding,security research

[email protected]

Bettina Ruttensteiner-PollerPublic relations work, advance-ment of women and gendermainstreaming, back-office

[email protected]

Secretariat

The secretariat supports the Austrian Council bothin terms of organisation and content, in particularwith regard to preparing and organising themeetings of the Austrian Council and workinggroups, and in respect of communication bothwithin the Council and externally. Day-to-dayoperations of the Austrian Council are financedby the Ministry for Transport, Innovation and Tech-nology. The head of the secretariat and membersof staff (in alphabetical order):

Fredy Jäger joined the secretariat team in April 2008.

Constanze StockhammerBusiness-oriented research,awareness raising for R&D,start-up and growth financing,SME and innovation funding,cooperation between theFederal Government and theprovinces, nano-technologies,information and communica-tion technologies, transporttechnologies

[email protected]

Ludovit Garzik, MBAHead of the secretariat,responsible for the manage-ment and coordination of thesecretariat’s activities andexternal representation

[email protected]

p l a n s

50

Evaluation

… because only a

consistent overall

picture promises

quality

Awareness

… because

research should be

the talk of the town

International

Events

… because it’s important to

look beyond our own horizon

Long-term Innovation

Strategy

… as a follow-up to Strategy

2010 and the Strategy for

Excellence

ke y a r e a s f o r t h e a u s t r i a n c o u n c i l i n 2 0 0 8

51

Modelling

… because we need

a simplified description

of reality

Human Resources

… because the men and

women who carry out science

and research are the most

important capital in this area

ICT

…because such a

broad emerging

thematic area needs a

strategic framework

c o n t a c t

52

Ministry of Finance

A-1030 Vienna, Hintere Zollamtsstraße 2b Tel.: +43/1/514 33-0

www.bmf.gv.at

Ministry for Transport,Innovation and Technology

A-1030 Vienna, Radetzkystraße 2Tel.: +43/1/711 62-0

www.bmvit.gv.at

Ministry for Economic Affairs and Labour

A-1011 Vienna, Stubenring 1Tel.: +43/1/711 00-0

www.bmwa.gv.at

Ministry for Science and Research

A-1014 Vienna, Minoritenplatz 5 Tel.: +43/1/531 20-0

www.bmwf.gv.at

Secretariat of the Austrian Council for Research and Technology

Development

GeschäftsstelleA-1010 Vienna, Pestalozzigasse 4/D1

Tel.: +43/1/713 14 14-0Fax: +43/1/713 14 14-99

[email protected]

a n n u a l r e p o r t 2 0 0 7www.rat-fte.at

annual report 2007 - rat für forschung und ... · pdf file4 vision – mission...

Documents