With:

• Christof Gattringer, President FWF
• Ursula Jakubek, Executive Vice-President FWF
• Martin Polaschek, Federal Minister of Education, Science and Research

With:

• Ruth Breu, computer scientist, University of Innsbruck, Austrian Phoenix Founders Award 2019
• Gabriel Felbermayr, Director WIFO
• Christoph Neumayer, Director General of the Federation of Austrian Industries
• Matthias Weber, Head of Center for Innovation Systems and Policy, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
• Christof Gattringer, President FWF (moderator)

To master today’s social and economic challenges, we need the knowledge and expertise of the best researchers and the conditions to facilitate excellent and independent cutting-edge research in Austria. At the same time, basic research should lead to applications, made possibly by cooperation in strategic partnerships between science and industry.

How do we build bridges between research findings and application? How do we strengthen Austria as a research center in the international competition for innovation? How do we accelerate the exchange of knowledge between researchers and the business community, industry, and society? How can Austria become more innovative?

The breakout session will be held in cooperation with the Federation of Austrian Industries (IV).

With:

• Beate Eckhardt, strategy and philanthropy consultant
• Andreas Kosmider, Managing Director, Falling Walls Foundation
• Markus Reinhard, Managing Director, NOMIS Foundation
• Georg Winckler, Chair of the alpha+ Foundation
• Ruth Williams, Managing Director, Fundraising Verband Austria (moderator)

International comparison shows clearly that close cooperation between research and philanthropic organizations is needed to make society ready for the future.

But what will it take to further develop a culture of giving for science and research in Austria? What role do strategic collaborations play in mobilizing philanthropic funding for science and research? And what can we learn from best practice examples in other countries?

Discuss the future of science philanthropy in Austria with international speakers and look forward to inspiring insights into the development and potential of strategic private-public partnerships for cutting-edge research in Austria.

The breakout session will be held in cooperation with the alpha+ Foundation of the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and the Fundraising Verband Austria.

On the podium:

• Christof Gattringer, President FWF
• Manuela Baccarini, Vice-Rector for Research and International Affairs, Deputy of the Rector, University of Vienna
• Christian Pohl, environmental scientist, ETH Zurich, member of the international Emerging Fields jury
• Mari Sundli Tveit, Chief Executive, Research Council of Norway, President Science Europe
• Barbara Weitgruber, Director General Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
• Hannelore Veit (moderator)

Driven by curiosity and the desire to find answers to previously unanswered questions, researchers are doing valuable pioneering work for innovation and prosperity. On the occasion of Austria's first Emerging Fields grants, which are aimed at pursuing particularly high-risk and ground-breaking ideas, we will be taking a look at the cutting-edge research of tomorrow: Who are the teams breaking new ground? What conditions do researchers and research institutions in Austria and Europe need to be able to hold their own in international competition in the future? How can scientific freedom, excellence, and return on investment be reconciled?

After the presentation of the Emerging Fields awards, we look forward to getting together for many interesting conversations.