#ConnectingMinds

Combining scientific and social knowledge Submissions: Nov. 16, 2026 to Mar. 15, 2027 Funding volume: €1.25 million Career stage: R2, R3, R4, ART With the #ConnectingMinds program, the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) encourages researchers to involve stakeholders from a variety of different sectors in their research projects. Funding is available to teams that combine both academic and social knowledge and are applying them to help tackle social, technological, ecological, and economic challenges. The focus is on transdisciplinarity, innovative research approaches, and support for community engagement and collective learning spaces. Target group The program is aimed at consortia of two to five internationally outstanding researchers at one or more Austrian research institutions. Funding goals The goal of the program is to give researchers the opportunity to initiate cooperative research projects that combine academic and social knowledge (transdisciplinary research). Funding is available for projects focusing on highly relevant current and future social topics, which will generate new research findings while also possibly identifying solutions to complex challenges. As a result, knowledge from different groups of people in society is interlinked with research activities, strengthening the dialog between science and society. Funding the capacity-building potential of consortium members and academic project staff members in transdisciplinary research is intended to support the application of a methodologically sound transdisciplinary research process. Additional program-specific information The program is divided into two phases: In the first phase, two to five researchers can apply to conduct a #ConnectingMinds workshop. If their proposal is approved, the researchers can use this workshop to work together with the other project participants (including stakeholders from other sectors, e.g., practitioners) to develop and advance their project idea and their planned research process for a #ConnectingMinds project. The second phase is to submit the proposal for a #ConnectingMinds project based on the results of the workshop and to further elaborate the research project. Funding period and funding amount #ConnectingMinds workshop: 1–3 days #ConnectingMinds workshop: maximum €12,000 #ConnectingMinds project: maximum 60 months #ConnectingMinds project: maximum €1.25 million Requirements Consortium of two to five researchers or arts-based researchers with research qualifications that meet FWF standards High scientific quality by international standards Innovative research approach that addresses a social issue as well as one or more specific challenges and develops possible solutions Application of a transdisciplinary research process with the possibility of involving practitioners/participants from other sectors Proposals should demonstrate a thematic relevance to one or more of the thematic groups named above For further details, please see the application guidelines. Information on the current call for proposals For the current call, the FWF is supporting innovative #ConnectingMinds workshops and #ConnectingMinds projects with funding provided by the Fonds Zukunft Österreich as part of the thematic groups of the EU Missions. Research questions for this call can focus on the following topics: EU Missions: Cancer Adaptation to Climate Change Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities A Soil Deal for Europe Restore our Ocean and Waters For more information and examples of possible subject areas, please see the application guidelines. Thematically open proposals will also be accepted for this call. Approval #ConnectingMinds workshops: written peer review by an international jury, decision by the FWF Scientific Board In the event of a positive decision, an invitation to apply for project funding will be issued. #ConnectingMinds projects: project funding decision by the FWF Scientific Board based on the recommendation of the international jury; recommendations are made based on international peer review as well as h