# #ConnectingMinds

**Funder:** FWF
**Budget:** Up to €12,000 (Phase 1 Workshop); up to €250,000/year for 3–5 years (Phase 2 Project)
**Duration:** 3–5 years
**Consortium:** Required — 2–5 researchers at Austrian research institutions
**Application:** 2-stage: Phase 1 Workshop (€12k max) → Phase 2 Project (€250k/year, 3–5 years) by invitation
**Eligible countries:** AT
**Official call:** https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/portfolio/collaborations/connectingminds
**Last verified:** 28 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds transdisciplinary research teams (2–5 researchers) at Austrian institutions that involve non-academic stakeholders to address social, technological, ecological, and economic challenges. Focus on innovative research approaches, community engagement, and collective learning spaces. Host institution must be in Austria.

## Summary

The #ConnectingMinds programme funds transdisciplinary research teams of 2-5 researchers at Austrian institutions to tackle social, technological, ecological, and economic challenges through partnerships with non-academic stakeholders. The call prioritizes innovative research approaches, community engagement, and collective learning across sectors. Applicants must be based at recognized Austrian research institutions and are expected to form consortia that bridge academic and real-world problem-solving.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at Austrian academic institutions
- Transdisciplinary teams of 2-5 researchers with complementary expertise
- Projects that engage non-academic stakeholders (community, industry, civil society)
- Research addressing social, technological, ecological, or economic challenges
- Teams committed to collective learning and co-design approaches

## Key dates

- Verify exact deadline on FWF website
- Consortium of 2-5 researchers required at Austrian institutions

## Tips for applicants

- Non-academic partner letters or co-applicant agreements are critical, FWF reviews community engagement concretely.
- Frame your research question around a real-world problem and show how the team's disciplinary mix addresses it; vague interdisciplinarity scores poorly.
- Emphasize collective learning outcomes and mutual benefit to academic and non-academic partners; unilateral knowledge transfer misses the programme's intent.

## Frequently asked questions

### Does #ConnectingMinds require a consortium?

Yes, the team must include 2-5 researchers at Austrian research institutions and involve non-academic stakeholders in the research design and delivery.

### Who is eligible for #ConnectingMinds?

Researchers based at recognized Austrian research institutions; teams are transdisciplinary and must partner with non-academic sectors (community, industry, civil society).

### What kind of research does #ConnectingMinds fund?

Innovative, transdisciplinary projects that address social, technological, ecological, or economic challenges through community engagement and collective learning.

### Can I apply to #ConnectingMinds if I work outside Austria?

No, all applicants must be based at Austrian research institutions, though non-academic partners may be international.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwf-connectingminds-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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