University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences - most important research partner of the BML

Building of the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences
Photo: BOKU / Christoph Gruber

Apart from the research activities of its own services, research contracts awarded to external institutions constitute an important pillar of the research of the Ministry of Agriculture. Due to the thematic proximity the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) constitutes an important partner.

Due to the focus on the topic “Sustainable development” the research work of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences fits perfectly to the research strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture, which includes priorities such as security of supply and nutrition, resource management and circular-flow economy or research-fit natural and living environments

In the year 2020 35 research projects were financially supported by the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. On average one third of the funds of the Ministry of Agriculture earmarked for external research contracts flow into contracts and projects, which are implemented by researchers of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences.

The University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences was founded as Agricultural University in 1872. Today research and teaching are carried out at several locations. At the Türkenschanze as well as at Muthgasse in the 18th and 19th districts of Vienna the focus is on topics such as land-use, organic and food technology, as well as water and waste management. The Inter-University Department for Agrobiotechnology and the University and Research Centre Tulln are located in Tulln (Lower Austria) with the topics plants, renewable resources and resource-oriented technologies. Moreover, there are external locations, such as the Water Cluster Lunz, the Observatory Sonnblick, and the Water Engineering Laboratory at the Vienna Danube, which is currently being constructed, as well as several agricultural and forestry experimental stations.

Experimental setup with plants
Photo: BOKU

Sustainable use of bases of life

The safeguarding and the sustainable use of the natural bases of life are in the focus of research. More than 2100 persons are currently scientifically active at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. The share of women is 42 percent.

The number of students has doubled in the course of the past seven years at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences. All in all around 12,000 persons are studying currently at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 50 percent are women. 25 % of the students come from the EU and from third countries, international mobility programmes ensure a vivid exchange of students.

The following Bachelor Studies are offered.

  • Food Science and Biotechnology
  • Forestry
  • Landscape Architecture and Landscape Planning
  • Wood and Fibre Technology
  • Environment and Bio-resources Management
  • Environmental Sciences and Civil Engineering
  • Agricultural Sciences
  • Equine Sciences (in cooperation with the University of Veterinary Medicine)

Subsequently you can graduate in 14 German-speaking, 6 internal English speaking Master studies of the University of Agricultural Science and Life Sciences and 11 international Master Studies with cooperation partners and/or afterwards in 8 doctoral studies.