In Austria, there are numerous public funding opportunities – including in the field of the bio-based circular economy. With the current government program, this topic has gained additional importance. Especially in the area of bio-based innovations, many opportunities are opening up to make targeted use of public funding.
As a service of our Bioeconomy Austria network, we provide you with a compact overview of how you – depending on the maturity level of your innovative business idea – can quickly find the right access to public grants and financing instruments. The bio-based circular economy makes a decisive contribution to a resilient economy, greater competitiveness, effective climate protection, and sustainable resource use.
Are you developing a technology?
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) funds research, development, and innovation projects – from large initiatives to individual projects, open to technologies and topics or with specific focus areas.
For example, the “Basic Program 2025” supports experimental development projects by companies that produce marketable products, processes, or services, including projects in the fields of environment, climate, bio-based transformation, or circular economy. Decisive factors are the level of innovation, technological risk, and the economic usability of the results.
Another example is “Frontrunner 2025”, which funds internationally oriented research and development projects that contribute to the sustainable and digital transformation of the economy, for example with a focus on environmental and climate protection.
In general, the FFG allocates between 80 and 100 million euros annually to projects in the fields of energy and environment and provides a comprehensive funding catalog.
Are you implementing a technology in your company?
In every Austrian federal state, there are specific economic funding programs that support companies in implementing new innovations. In some cases, these are managed by dedicated agencies, in others directly by the regional government.
First points of contact:
- • Burgenland: Wirtschaftsagentur Burgenland
- • Carinthia: Kärntner Wirtschaftsförderungsfonds (KWF)
- • Lower Austria: Wirtschaftsförderung Land Niederösterreich
- • Upper Austria: Wirtschaftsförderung Land Oberösterreich
- • Salzburg: Wirtschaftsförderung Land Salzburg
- • Styria: Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft (SFG)
- • Tyrol: Wirtschaftsförderung Land Tirol
- • Vorarlberg: Wirtschaftsförderung Land Vorarlberg
- • Vienna: Wirtschaftsagentur Wien
Do you need financing for your company?
Austrian Wirtschaftsservice (aws) is the federal government’s funding and financing bank. Each year, it provides large amounts in the form of grants, EU funds, guarantees, low-interest ERP fund loans, and advisory services, from the start-up stage to the commercialization of innovations.
For example, aws Energy and Climate supports start-ups and SMEs in manufacturing transfer projects (moving from development to series production) in the environmental and energy sectors.
Within the framework of the aws Guarantee, there is a preferential conditions option that only applies if certain ecological or digital criteria are met. These include, for example, contributions to the circular economy, climate protection, biodiversity conservation, or pollution prevention.
The Call 2025 is aimed at companies in the processing and marketing of agricultural products whose projects focus on areas such as environment, climate, resource use, circular economy, or animal welfare. Examples include waste prevention and the use of residues and by-products, energy efficiency, water savings, or increased organic orientation. Further relevant funding opportunities can be found on the aws website.
Do you want to fund investments?
Kommunalkredit Public Consulting (KPC) manages public funding programs and serves as an advisory body in the fields of environment, climate, and energy. Since 1993, it has administered major funding programs for climate and environmental protection in Austria and supports companies, municipalities, and individuals from project development to application submission and implementation.
KPC offers a large catalog of environmental subsidies for companies, including grants for investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency, water or waste management, and the circular economy.
Under the “Circular Economy” funding line, for example, measures for the processing and reuse of bio-based materials or the reintegration of organic residues into production cycles can be funded. In addition, there are countless other funding opportunities available.
Are you planning a prototype or demonstration plant?
EU Life has been a central EU funding instrument for environment, nature, and climate protection for over 30 years. In the current program phase (2021–2027), a total of 5.4 billion euros is available for projects, ranging from habitat restoration to climate-friendly technologies to promoting the circular economy.
The main focus is on market-oriented, concrete implementation projects, with research only funded to a limited extent. All projects must achieve a long-term impact and contribute to the implementation of EU policy, the Green Deal, and sustainable development in Europe. An overview of all funding and calls for proposals can be found on the program website, with further information also available via FFG.
Do you have further questions? Please contact your regional Bioeconomy Austria team representative or the relevant funding agency directly.