FWF
Specialized Research Groups
14:00 Vienna local time
Last updated:
The FWF Specialized Research Groups (Forschungsgruppen) funds collaborative research consortia of 3-12 researchers from Austrian institutions, with budgets of €3-9 million over five years. Open across all scientific disciplines including art-based basic research, this call supports teams forming to tackle ambitious research questions at multiple host institutions. The programme runs annually with a two-stage review: pre-proposal followed by invited full proposal.
Details
| Funder | FWF |
| Budget | €3–9 million for 60 months |
| Deadline | 15 September 2026 |
| Duration | 60 months (follow-up period of 48 months possible) |
| Consortium | Required — 3 to 12 active researchers in a consortium |
| Application | 2-stage: pre-proposal → full proposal (by invitation) |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Eligible countries | AT |
Eligibility & scope
Funds collaborative research formats where multiple researchers across one or more locations pursue a common research goal; requires balanced gender distribution with at least one third of the underrepresented gender in the consortium.
Who Should Apply
- •Consortia of 3-12 researchers from Austrian academic or research institutions
- •Established researchers with proven track records seeking to form collaborative groups
- •Cross-disciplinary teams in any field, including art-based basic research
- •Researchers with ambitious, five-year collaborative projects requiring group-scale resources
Key Dates
- •Deadline 15 September 2026, 14:00 Vienna time (CEST)
- •Two-stage: pre-proposal review, then invited full proposal submission
- •Five-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Consortium composition matters: reviewers assess how well the 3-12 members are matched to the research goals and likely to collaborate effectively. Draft a detailed team-role matrix.
- ✓The pre-proposal stage is a filter for feasibility and strategic fit; keep it tight and clear rather than comprehensive. A rejected pre-proposal cannot be resubmitted in the same call.
- ✓Budget scales with consortium size and ambition; justify every euro against team capacity and deliverables. FWF expects efficiency in this tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the budget range for FWF Specialized Research Groups?
€3-9 million over five years, with the exact amount tailored to the consortium size and research scope.
How many researchers can form an FWF Specialized Research Group?
Consortia must comprise 3-12 researchers from one or more Austrian research institutions.
How long does a Specialized Research Group project last?
Five years from project start.
What disciplines are eligible for FWF Specialized Research Groups?
All scientific disciplines are eligible, including art-based basic research.
Is the FWF Specialized Research Groups call annual?
Yes, the call runs annually with a September deadline.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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