BUNDESMINISTERIUM FUR BILDUNG

Their core work

Austria's Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research serves as the national policy authority for research funding, international scientific cooperation, and ERA (European Research Area) alignment. In H2020, the ministry primarily participates in ERA-NET Cofund actions and Coordination & Support Actions, channeling national funding into joint European research programming in areas like climate services, nutrition and health, and neurodegenerative diseases. It also organizes high-level events such as the International Conference on Research Infrastructures (ICRI 2018), linked to Austria's EU Council Presidency. Its role is strategic coordination and policy implementation rather than hands-on research.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

The ministry's early H2020 involvement (2015–2016) centered on aligning national research agendas with European frameworks — climate services coordination, neurodegenerative disease research networks, and building acoustics mobility. By 2016–2017, the focus broadened toward societal themes: food-health connections through intestinal microbiomics, gender equality in the ERA, and hosting a major research infrastructure conference tied to Austria's EU Council Presidency. The shift reflects a move from domain-specific ERA-NET participation toward broader science policy coordination and societal impact themes.

The ministry is moving toward cross-cutting science policy themes (gender, infrastructure, international cooperation) rather than topic-specific research funding networks.

How they like to work

The ministry overwhelmingly participates as a partner (6 of 7 projects), reflecting its role as a national funding body that joins European coordination networks rather than leading research. It coordinated only one project — a high-visibility conference during Austria's EU Presidency. With 107 unique partners across 28 countries, it operates as a broad-network connector, typical of national ministries that link into multiple ERA-NET and CSA consortia simultaneously.

Extensive pan-European network of 107 unique partners spanning 28 countries, built primarily through ERA-NET Cofund actions that bring together national funding agencies and ministries across Europe. The geographic spread is notably wide for a relatively small project portfolio, reflecting the ministry's role as a national node in European research policy networks.

What sets them apart

As a national ministry rather than a research performer, this organization brings policy authority and co-funding capacity to consortia — it can commit Austrian national research budgets to joint European calls. This makes it a valuable partner for ERA-NET actions and policy coordination projects where national-level buy-in is essential. Its direct connection to Austria's EU Council Presidency activities (ICRI 2018) also signals high-level political engagement with European research infrastructure strategy.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ICRI 2018
  Only project coordinated by the ministry — the International Conference on Research Infrastructures held during Austria's 2018 EU Council Presidency, with EUR 300K EC funding.
• ERA4CS
  Largest single grant (EUR 486K) — an ERA-NET Cofund for European climate services combining institutional integration with user-driven co-development.
• HDHL-INTIMIC
  Long-running ERA-NET (2016–2023) on intestinal microbiomics and diet-health links, showing sustained commitment to the JPI Healthy Diet for a Healthy Life.