Third-party funding record
© Johanna Karl
14.03.2022
In 2021 members of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy reached a new third-party funding record with revenues in the amount of 6,0 Million Euro. Also concerning expenditures, which is the less volatile number, the FGGA reached a record. Besides the many support measures and the citizen science initiative, the Faculty also initiated an Applied Sciences Initiative starting with the event Applied Sciences & Spring, taking place in the NIG on 27 April 2022.
Success in attracting third-party funding is a key factor in evaluating research performance – and an increasing strength of the Faculty of Earth Sciences, Geography and Astronomy. In 2021 members of our Faculty reached a new third-party funding record: The FGGA generated revenue in the amount of 6,0 Million Euro. This is the highest amount ever, compared to 5,0 Million Euro in 2020 and 5,4 Million Euro in 2019.
João Alves, Vice Dean of Research and Third Mission at FGGA. © Tony Rinaldo, Harvard Radcliffe Institute
“This is a wonderful milestone for the ‘Faculty for Exploration’, and it shows the excellent performance of our researchers and the international recognition towards the research done in the Faculty. Congratulations to all!”, says João Alves, Vice Dean of Research and Third Mission at FGGA.
Record in expenditures too
As the increase in revenues is rather volatile and might depend on large revenue for a few projects, such as ERCs, it is also interesting to look at the development of expenditures for third-party funding. Concerning expenditures, FGGA-members also reached a record : 4,9 Mio EUR from third-party funds have been spent in 2021 (2020: 3,9 Mio EUR; 2019: 4,6 Mio EUR).
Development of revenues and expenditures regarding Thrid-party funded projects 2017 to 2021.
Share of expenditures regarding third-party funding 2021: 38 % FWF, 27 % EU and 13 % FFG projects.
Taking a closer look at the figures, the increase of expenditures in 2021 is mainly based on more FWF-projects with an increase of 40 percent and EU-projects (an increase of 32 percent), but expenditures for third-party funded projects with companies (an increase of 18 percent) and regional authorities (an increase of 7 percent) raised as well.
Leo Haimberger, Vice Dean of Infrastructure. © University of Vienna
Applied Sciences
“It is expected, that ERC- and FWF-funding will become even more competitive. Furthermore, the universities should play a bigger role in third mission activities. That’s why our Faculty also took the initiative to support the networking and knowledge exchange on Applied Science”, explains Leo Haimberger, Vice Dean of Infrastructure and researcher with a long experience in Applied Sciences.
The Dean’s team initiated the Citizen Science Initiative from 2018 to 2021 and, more recently, the Applied Sciences Initiative. "With these initiatives, we explore ways to actively do research at the interface of science and society, connecting interested researchers across different areas of the Faculty", emphasizes Vice-Dean Alves.
Applied Sciences & Spring @ FGGA
FGGA-members interested in applied sciences are warmly invited to participate in our networking event “Applied Sciences & Spring - Research at the Interface of Science and Society” on 27.04.2022 (NIG). Listen to flash talks of experienced FGGA-researchers and discuss obstacles, pitfalls and funding possibilities! Please register till 24.04.2022 here.
Additional, an Applied Science Faculty Day with external partners is in the planning for autumn 2022.
Support by FGGA
The FGGA actively supports its scientists in raising third-party funds and has established several support possibilities and initiatives in recent years:
- Third-party funding advice for all newly hired scientists from PostDoc level + visiting professors
- Information events on third-party funding in department seminars/working groups
- Networking group for administrative staff supporting management of third-party funding projects
- Promotion of Acquisition of Third-party Funding
- Bonus for the submission of larger third-party funded projects
- Short-term personnel support for the preparation of full applications for larger third-party funded projects
- Financial assistance for travelling for preparing larger third-party funded projects
- Support for proof reading
And, last but not least, the Faculty also acts as point of contact and information hub through the third-party funding coordinator at the Dean’s office: “If you are thinking of applying for third-party funding, do not hesitate to contact me. I might be able to support you with some helpful information”, says Daniela Große Kathöfer from the Dean’s office.