# Principal Investigator Projects International

**Funder:** FWF
**Duration:** Several years
**Consortium:** Required — international project partner(s) in selected partner countries
**Application:** Single stage; five approval meetings per year
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Eligible countries:** AT
**Official call:** https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/portfolio/projects/principal-investigator-projects-international
**Last verified:** 28 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Thematically open basic research funding for Austrian PIs collaborating with partners in selected partner countries (Belgium/Flanders, Germany, France, Italy/South Tyrol, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Poland, Switzerland, Slovenia, Taiwan, Czech Republic, Hungary, Tyrol-South Tyrol-Trentino). Host institution must be an Austrian research organisation. Country-specific thematic restrictions may apply.

## Summary

The FWF Principal Investigator Projects International (PI Projects International) funds basic research conducted in close collaboration with international project partners, open to researchers from all disciplines at Austrian institutions. The call operates on a rolling basis with five approval meetings annually, making it suitable for researchers ready to launch collaborative projects without waiting for a fixed deadline. International partnering is mandatory; thematic scope and eligible countries vary by collaboration type.

## Who should apply

- Researchers at Austrian universities or research institutions
- Investigators across all disciplines with basic research focus
- Scientists with established international collaboration links or capacity to build them
- Projects embedding genuine co-investigator roles for foreign partners, not consultancy arrangements

## Key dates

- Rolling submissions; evaluated at five approval meetings per year
- Several-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Verify thematic eligibility and partner-country rules before drafting; collaboration terms vary by nation pairing, and some countries impose restrictions.
- Frame the international partner's role as genuine co-investigation, not subcontracting; FWF emphasizes mutual research contribution and shared authorship.
- Submit early in a review cycle if possible; queuing for the next approval meeting may delay funding start.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do I need an international collaborator to apply for FWF PI Projects International?

Yes, international project partner(s) are mandatory; the call funds collaborative research, not solo Austrian-led work.

### Can I submit to FWF PI Projects International at any time?

Yes, the call operates on a rolling basis with five approval meetings per year; submissions are evaluated on a continuous schedule.

### Which countries can my international partners come from?

Eligible partner countries vary by specific collaboration framework; check the FWF website for country-specific rules and any thematic restrictions.

### What research fields are eligible for FWF PI Projects International?

All disciplines are eligible for basic research; thematic restrictions may apply depending on the country-specific collaboration agreement.

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