FWF
1000 Ideas Program
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No deadline is on file for this call. Check FWF's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
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.
Details
| Funder | FWF |
| Budget | €50,000–€175,000 |
| Duration | 6 to 24 months |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | Rolling |
| TRL | 1 |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Eligible countries | AT |
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.
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.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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