Austrian Research and Technology Report 2020

2. Key Players in Research Funding and in Non-university Research 
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Good governance and administrative streamlining remain in the focus of improvement measures. An 
increasing number of processes are being standardised, especially in the context of the monthly and quar-
terly reporting. 
Two 
new, competitive programmes
seek to raise scientific understanding within society at large: 
• The grants for science journalists specifically strengthen the media representation of basic research 
conducted in Austria. 
• The “Österreichische Studienstiftung” (Austrian Academic Studies Foundation) supports particularly 
motivated and engaged young people during their studies. The work of the foundation is primarily con-
ceptual in nature, assisting funded parties with mentoring and seminar offerings over the course of their 
studies.
New formats for communicating and disseminating knowledge:
• For the first time, the Academy has published science comics to generate enthusiasm for the fascinat-
ing world of basic research among eight- to twelve-year-olds. Four winning comics were selected from 
the submissions to a public competition. 
• The lives of 16 researchers who were persecuted in childhood by the National Socialist party and driven 
out of Austria are illuminated in personal interviews by the film “The Class of ‘38. Exile & Excellence”, 
which was conceived and commissioned by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW). A specially 
adapted grade school version is available online for free.
• Urgent challenges, such as climate change and poverty, were the focus of an international conference 
on the UN goals for sustainable development, accompanied by a specially planned art exhibition. 
• The event series “Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch” (Science and Politics in Conversation), estab-
lished by the President of the National Council and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW), offers 
legislators the opportunity to discuss important future topics directly with scientists in a casual atmo-
sphere.