# 1000 Ideas Program

**Funder:** FWF
**Budget:** €50,000–€175,000
**Duration:** 6 to 24 months
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Rolling
**TRL:** 1
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** AT
**Official call:** https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/portfolio/projects/1000-ideas
**Last updated:** 30 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds original, high-risk or transformative early-stage research (~20 projects per round). PI must hold a PhD/MD, be employed ≥50% at an Austrian research institution for the project duration, and the project must be carried out at an Austrian research institution. PI salary fundable up to 50%; doctoral candidate positions not eligible. Double-blind selection with international jury; some proposals drawn by lot from fundable pool.

## Summary

The FWF 1000 Ideas Programme funds high-risk exploratory research projects up to €150,000 over 6-24 months, open to researchers in Austria. The call prioritises novel, unconventional ideas at early theoretical stages (TRL 1) with significant potential for paradigm shift. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, making it a continuous open call.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at Austrian academic or research institutions
- Projects at early theoretical stage (TRL 1) with unconventional or paradigm-shifting potential
- Researchers willing to pursue high-risk, potentially disruptive ideas
- Solo or small-team researchers (no consortium required)

## Key dates

- Rolling application: submit at any time
- Continuous evaluation cycle
- Project duration 6-24 months

## Tips for applicants

- Frame your idea as high-risk but high-impact; FWF explicitly rewards bold exploratory thinking, not incremental work.
- Clarity on why your idea is unconventional matters more than preliminary data, TRL 1 projects should not require extensive proof-of-concept.
- Keep your team small and institution-lean; the rolling review process favors agility and rapid deployment.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the FWF 1000 Ideas Programme fund?

Up to €150,000 per project, with funding ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 depending on project scope.

### How long can an FWF 1000 Ideas project run?

Project duration is 6-24 months, flexible depending on the exploratory phase needed.

### Is the FWF 1000 Ideas Programme open continuously?

Yes, it operates on a rolling basis with continuous application submission and evaluation.

### Who is eligible for the FWF 1000 Ideas Programme?

Researchers based at eligible Austrian institutions working on high-risk exploratory projects at early theoretical stages.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwf-1000-ideas) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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