“Becoming an Innovation Leader”Austrian Strategy for research, technology and innovation

Dr. Anneliese STOKLASKADeputy Director General

Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research

History

• 2007-2008 – Austrian Research Dialogue, consultation with Austrian stakeholders

• 2008-2009 – “System Evaluation”, evaluation of public funding in RTDI

• 2009 – “Strategy 2020”, proposals and recommendations made by the Austrian Council for Research and Technology Development

Taking on challenges, finding answersGetting ready to become an Innovation Leader

• On one hand successful development of the Austrian research and innovation system in recent decades

• Austria being ranked at the forefront of the group of “Innovation Followers”

• R&D ratio of 2.79 % (2011), which is among the highest in Europe

• On the other hand, new • short-term (consequences of the global financial and economic

crisis) and • long-term challenges (“Grand Challenges” such as global scarcity

of energy and natural resources, climate change, demographic change)

set the framework in which the strategy must operate and for which science, research and technology must come up with adaptation of strategies and development options

VISION AUSTRIA 2020

• In 2020, Austria will be an Innovation Leader• Human potential and skills will be optimally

developed and used • Excellent situation for universities, universities of

applied sciences, and non-university research institutes will form the basis of the innovation system

• Innovative firms will ensure the prosperity of a modern knowledge-based society

• A customised funding policy will support the performance of the innovation system

• Special focus on young academics and female researchers (gender budgeting)

Strategic Framework

• Within this vision, the strategic framework defines five interrelated areas in which – building on specific structures, development trends and challenges – the strategy is to be implemented and operationalised using appropriate measures:

– Education system– Basic research– Innovation and corporate research– Governance of the research and innovation system– Funding system

Developing talent, awakening passionImplementing sustainable reforms in the education system

• A quantitatively and qualitatively well-equipped education system is an essential prerequisite for innovative thought and action

• Access to and the permeability of the system should be fundamentally improved, providing performance fairness and equal opportunities

• Broad structural reform of the education system at all levels (from early childhood education to models of life-long learning)

• Increasing the mobility of students and graduates

• Ensure that academic careers become more attractive by improving framework conditions

• Gender imbalances must be levelled out

Creating knowledge, promoting excellenceThe foundation of a knowledge-based society

• Basic research in Austria must be strengthened by

• improvement of infrastructure,

• reform of university financing

• further development of performance agreements

• the continued expansion of third-party financing via competitively evaluated projects while simultaneously covering overhead

• the implementation of an Austrian excellence initiative (Clusters of Excellence)

• Knowledge transfer from university to businesses should be further expanded and strengthened, e.g. by establishing Knowledge Transfer Centres.

• Better support for institutions for applied non-university (public) research

Utilising knowledge, increasing added valueActivating innovation potential

• Innovations are a key element for companies to gain technological or market-oriented competitive advantages, thereby also assuring economic growth and new jobs

• Measures:

– the targeted expansion of direct funding

– encouraging the foundation of innovative companies

– improving access to private equity and venture capital

– demand-side innovation measures (as in the area of public procurement or in setting norms and standards)

– further intensification of the links between science and business

– encouraging start-ups by eliminating administrative barriers

Providing guidance, establishing frameworksEfficiently organising political governance (1)

In the face of new challenges, political governance can only be effective in mutual coordination and cooperation with other policy areas, in particular education policy, competition policy and a general policy of international openness and mobility. Adequate mechanisms for defining focal points, a clear and transparent structuring of the funding system, and coherence in the distribution of responsibilities in a multi-level political system, from regional coordination to internationalisation are needed.

Providing guidance, establishing frameworksEfficiently organising political governance (2)

This means

– The new challenges (“Grand Challenges”) are addressed in RTI policy by the establishment of new “inter-ministerial research, technology and innovation focal points”. The focal points in question will be subject to accompanying evaluation and monitoring and will have short term impacts.

– The funding agencies in the area of RTI policy, working through performance agreements on the basis of output and impact goals, are essential pillars of the RTI strategy implementation.

– The international and European networking of Austrian RTI players is actively supported, and cooperation with key countries is being strategically expanded.

Providing incentives, creating optionsBroadening the financial base

• The specific formulation and further development of the funding system plays a central role in the Austrian federal government’s RTI strategy.

• Emphasis here is placed on maximum efficiency and effectiveness of funding (high leverage), as well as the principle of competition-based funding allocation, which will take into consideration the specific requirements of basic research.

• This should make it possible by 2020 to achieve a distribution of public and private financing in which one-third is public and the other two-thirds are private.

Thank you for your attention

Contact:

Anneliese Stoklaska Deputy Director General

Austrian Federal Ministry of Science and Research Rosengasse 2-6 A-1014 Wien Tel.: +43/1/531 20 - 7150 Fax: +43/1/531 20 - 99 7150 e-mail: anneliese.stoklaska@bmwf.gv.atwww.bmwf.gv.at

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