Josef Ressel Centres

CDG Josef Ressel Centres

Funds applied-research centres through public-industry co-financed long-term partnerships to strengthen real-world implementation.

Josef Ressel Centres are 5-year applied-research units hosted exclusively at Austrian universities of applied sciences (Fachhochschulen), organized by the Christian Doppler Research Association (CDG). Each centre operates as a compact team of 3 to 10 researchers led by an FH scientist, in cooperation with at least one industry partner. Public funding covers 50% of eligible costs (60% for SME partners); the industry partner contributes 50% in cash (40% for SMEs). Annual budgets range from EUR 90,000 to EUR 460,000, with a programme maximum of EUR 2.3 million over the five-year term. The current application window runs from 1 March 2024 to 31 December 2026, aligned with CDG's three-year federal funding agreement cycle. Applications are submitted via the CDG ePortal.

Centres run on a 2+3 phase schedule with a formal mid-term evaluation at the end of year 2; an unsatisfactory evaluation can end the centre early. Evaluation criteria cover application orientation and innovation, scientific quality, anchoring within the FH environment, and sustainability of the industry-academia cooperation. The same 50/50 cost-sharing structure as CD Labs applies, including CDG's annual membership fee structure for commercial partners. One partner—scientific or commercial—must be Austrian-based. Applications are reviewed by CDG's Scientific Board, which meets four times per year.

Unlike Christian Doppler Laboratories, which may be hosted at classical universities and non-university research institutions, Josef Ressel Centres are restricted to Austrian FH institutions; organisations seeking collaboration with a classical university should apply under the CD Labs track instead. For industry partners wishing to engage in applied research with practice-oriented FH programs—particularly in engineering, manufacturing, information technology, and applied life sciences—the programme provides structured long-term access to FH infrastructure and talent. Partners must confirm commitment in cash, with no in-kind contributions accepted, and contributions qualify for the Austrian Forschungsprämie research premium.