Faßmann and Mikl-Leitner confirm commitment to expand world-class research at IST Austria

Federal Minister Heinz Faßmann and State Governor of Lower Austria Johanna Mikl-Leitner today confirmed their commitment to support the Institute of Science and Technology (IST Austria) in Klosterneuburg. “IST Austria is a beacon project of excellence that contributes to increase Austria’s visibility on the international research map. IST Austria opened ten years ago and has since achieved considerable success. Today we are starting the second development phase, that is, the next ten years. As is stated in the 15a agreement, a total of 1.35 billion Euros will be provided, with 988 million Euros coming from the federal government. We will thus invest in research infrastructure and double the number of researchers. That will also strengthen Austria as a research and innovation hub and support IST Austria on its way to the top”, says Federal Minister of Science and Research Heinz Faßmann at the signing of the performance agreement for the next three years.

The performance agreement for the period 2018–2020 has been signed today and will be released on the websites of the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research, and IST Austria. For the next three years, IST Austria will have 219 million Euros at its disposal.

“The signing of the performance agreement constitutes a new milestone in the development of world-class research in Lower Austria. Research institutions like IST Austria not only strengthen the position of Lower Austria but also bring more companies and highly-qualified work places to our state. Currently, there are 600 employees from 60 countries working at the institute. In 2026, IST Austria will have more than 1.000 employees,” emphasizes State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, who expressed her gratitude to the Federal Ministry and IST Austria for their excellent cooperation. The State of Lower Austria will provide a total of 370 million Euros for new infrastructure projects in the second development phase (2017-2026).

IST Austria President Thomas Henzinger comments: “The funding system of IST Austria is a considerable factor in the successful development of our institute. It is flexible and achievement-oriented, and has a long-term perspective. I am glad that Federal Minister Heinz Faßmann and State Governor Mikl-Leitner are two reliable partners who will continue to support IST Austria in its development course fully and wholeheartedly.”

Out of 49 faculty members currently under contract at IST Austria, 14 professors conduct research in the formal sciences (computer science and mathematics), 26 in the life sciences (biology and neuroscience), and 9 in the physical sciences (physics and chemistry). Although IST Austria follows the “person before area” and “quality before speed” principles, these three research clusters should be equally represented on campus by 2026. Multi- and interdisciplinarity are of great importance at IST Austria; there are no departments or similar units.