Call for Transdisciplinary Research Projects at the mdw

Deadline for submissions: 21.11.2025

Funding subject and objectives

For the first time, the mdw is announcing internal funding for pilot projects in the field of transdisciplinary research. This refers to the inception of cooperative and experimental research projects whose findings, resulting from collaboration between academia and social actors, contribute to the engagement about current issues.

Current social, ecological, socio-political and technological challenges require innovative forms of cooperation and social participation. By providing targeted support for specific projects that contribute to this, the mdw is positioning itself as a future-oriented, open and socio-politically effective research institution.

Funding is available for innovative research projects in all disciplines represented at the mdw with a proven methodology, involving at least one non-university partner (e.g. school, NGO, archive, cultural institution). Projects that incorporate methods of science communication (e.g. citizen science) and digital humanities are explicitly encouraged.

Preference will be given to transdisciplinary project partnerships that aim to build expertise in the area of national or international funding (e.g. the FWF's #ConnectingMinds programme, calls for proposals in the field of digital humanities and science communication, etc.).

Eligible costs

All direct costs (personnel, material and travel costs, work contracts, justified other costs) associated with the implementation of the project are eligible for funding. Requirements of economic efficiency, proportionality and environmental compatibility must be met. If these requirements are not met, the expenditure items concerned may be excluded from funding in whole or in part, or the amount of funding may be reduced accordingly.

Eligible applicants

Consortia consisting of mdw members from all academic disciplines, in particular early stage artists and researchers, including PhD and Dr. Artium students, are eligible to apply. The project partnership must include at least one partner from outside the mdw.

Funding conditions

A total of €35,000 is available under the call for proposals. The maximum funding amount per project is €12,000. Co-financing from own or external funds is permitted.

The project must start by 31 March 2026 at the latest and be completed within 12 months.

Application process

Applications must be submitted via the dedicated online form between 13 October 2025 and 21 November 2025.

Application documents:

Project description: Outline of project activities, including a description of the partnership (incl. any other persons involved in the project concortium, collaboration, division of roles, responsibilities), objectives and methodology, timetable, and cost breakdown in tabular form (max. 5 pages in total)
Short biographies including relevant publications, artistic works and other relevant achievements
Declaration of support from the head of department or research centre
Letter of intent from the external partner
If applicable, statement on research ethics issues (e.g. child protection concept)

Selection process

The projects to be funded will be selected by a jury comprising internal and external members, coordinated by the Research Support Office.

The funding decision is expected to be announced in December 2025.

Selection criteria

Quality of the transdisciplinary methodology
Artistic, scientific and social relevance
Quality of cooperation within the project partnership
Feasibility of the project (within one year)
Sustainability of the results
Potential for future external funding applications

Processing and obligations of funding recipients

Settlement is carried out by the department or research centre responsible for project management and is reimbursed by the research support office.

Funding recipients are obliged to submit a short documentation report and a cost statement in tabular form comparing planned and actual expenditure in connection with the project activities no later than three months after the end of the project. Once the report and statement have been approved, the Research Support Office will reimburse the costs via internal billing.

Legal information

In particular, the Gender Equality Plan, the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, the data protection regulations as well as financial principles of the mdw apply.

Questions and information

Marita Schaaser

Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1, 1030 Vienna
First floor, Office nr. B 01 23
Phone: +43 1 711 55 – 6101

forschungsfoerderung@mdw.ac.at

Vitali Bodnar
Project Service | Research Support
Phone: +43 1 711 55 – 6114
bodnar@mdw.ac.at

forschungsfoerderung@mdw.ac.at