Top Citizen Science

Target group

This funding program is aimed at all researchers leading an FWF-funded project. The objective is to address citizens of different ages, genders, and social backgrounds as well as people with highly specialized knowledge and expertise (knowledge communities). Young target groups are expressly welcome.

Funding goals

Eligible for funding are research activities that enable the participation of citizens, who contribute their skills, expertise, and curiosity. As a result, research findings can be expanded and the scientific knowledge generated can be significantly increased.

Additional program-specific information

The scientific quality of the of the Top Citizen Science proposal must be ensured by an existing FWF project that at the time of the funding decision (October of the year of submission) is still in progress (i.e., projects scheduled to end on or after November 30 of the year of submission).

These existing projects can be in any funding program, with the exception of:

• Erwin Schrödinger
• Cluster of Excellence
• Book publications, Digital Publications, Academic Journals
• Science Communication
• Top Citizen Science

Funding period and funding amount

• Up to 24 months
• Max. €100,000

Prerequisites

• Applicant
  • Principal investigator or FWF-funded staff member of an ongoing FWF project (“existing project")
  • Appropriate citizen science-related qualifications to lead the planned expansion project
• Expansion project to be carried out at an Austrian research institution with the necessary infrastructure
• For further details, please see the application guidelines.

Approval

• Decided by the Scientific Board based on an international review process
• Decision annually in October

Application information

Proposals can be submitted during the application period using the online application portal elane

Number of eligible projects

Approx. 5 projects per call

Funding institution

Austrian Science Fund (FWF) and, if applicable, other funding agencies