Research funding for water management

Laboratory - water testing
Photo: BML / Martina Siebenhandl

Funding is available under the Environmental Support Act (“Umweltförderungsgesetz”) to promote research and the development of new technologies and processes in the field of residential water management and aquatic ecology.

The objects of this funding are research projects and their publications in the field of residential water management and aquatic ecology. In addition to studies, technology developments are promoted as a basis for new, advanced technologies.

The financial support for research initiatives is a key factor in the development of water management strategies and measures. The funding for research projects in the field of aquatic ecology enables the implementation of innovative research projects that deal with the various ecological aspects of reducing hydro-morphological pressures.

Research categories eligible for funding and extent of funding

A research project is assigned to one of the following three categories and is subsidised up to a maximum of the corresponding maximum rates.

Research categories eligible for funding

Category Subsidisation

Funding rate
Research
  • Basic research
  • not aimed at commercial utilisation
  • Results are available without restriction.

up to 100%
Industrial
research
  • Integration of a commercial partner and commercial utilisation possible.
 up to 50%
Pre-competitive
research
  • Process optimisation
  • Development to market maturity
  • Testing the suitability for use
 up to 25%

Funding applicants

Funding applicants are primarily institutions and persons that are authorised and qualified to carry out a research project and have suitably experienced staff.

Administrative procedure for the funding

Subsidies are processed by the Federal Government's processing agency, Kommunalkredit Public Consulting GmbH (KPC).

Funding is provided in the form of investment grants.

All reports on our research projects are downloadable free of charge at Publications. (Publications in German only)

Neptun Staatspreis für Wasser (Neptun State Award for Water)

The Neptun State Award for Water is Austria's most important environmental and innovation prize for sustainable water projects and emphasises the importance of water as a vital resource.

In the category "Water RESEARCH”, solutions are sought for challenges such as water extraction, drinking water supply, wastewater disposal, flood control and ecologically compatible hydropower utilisation. It is also possible to participate with aquatic ecology projects.

Submissions can be made by companies, start-ups, universities, research institutions, and international researchers, either from Austria or with Austrian participation abroad.

Detailed information can be found on the official website of the Neptune State Award for Water: www.neptun-staatspreis.at