AR-Pilot: Call for Artistic Research Projects at the mdw

Application deadline: 26 May 2026


Scope of funding and eligibility criteria

In 2026, the mdw is launching its fifth round of internal funding for pilot projects in the field of artistic research.

Funding is available for innovative research projects employing a clearly defined method of artistic research, which serve to prepare an application for third-party funding, particularly within the framework of the FWF’s PEEK programme. Preference will be given to projects that envisage a publication (e.g. in the Research Catalogue) as well as to transdisciplinary and collaborative projects.

All mdw members are eligible to apply, in particular early-career artists and researchers, including PhD and Dr. Artium students.

A total of €20,000 is available. The maximum grant amount per project is €5,000.

Projects must start in 2026 and be completed within one year.

Selection criteria

  • Quality of the planned research (with a view to applying for external funding);
  • Artistic-academic and/or societal relevance;
  • Feasibility of the project (within one year).

Eligible costs

All direct costs (staff, material and travel costs, contracts for work, other justified costs) associated with the implementation of the project are eligible.

Requirements regarding cost-effectiveness, proportionality and environmental sustainability must be met. Otherwise, the relevant expenditure items may be excluded from funding in whole or in part, or the funding amount may be reduced accordingly.

Co-financing from own or third-party funds is permitted.

Application

Applications must be submitted from 8 April 2026 to 26 May 2026 via the online form.

Annexes:

  • Project description with timetable (max. 3 pages);
  • Short CVs and a list of relevant publications, artistic works and other achievements (max. 2 pages);
  • Cost calculation in tabular form;
  • Declaration of support from the head of department or research centre.

Selection process

The selection of projects to be funded will be carried out by a jury comprising internal and external members, chaired by ao.Univ.-Prof. Johannes Kretz. The funding decision is expected to be announced by the end of June 2026.

Administration and obligations of funding recipients

Within three months of the project’s completion, a final report and a cost statement in tabular form, comparing planned and actual costs, must be submitted. Grant recipients shall, where applicable, store open access publications on the publication platform pub.mdw or publish them in the Research Catalogue. The mdwRepository can be used for the long-term archiving of project outputs (videos, audio files and other research data).

Once the report and final cost statement have been accepted, costs are reimbursed by the Research Support Office via an internal settlement. The settlement is processed through the respective department/research centre or the Artistic Research Centre, which receives reimbursement of the costs from the Research Funding Office after the project has ended.

Applicants are advised to seek advice from the Research Support Office regarding third-party funding applications at an early stage: Vitali Bodnar, Project Services bodnar@mdw.ac.at.

Legal notices

In particular, the Gender Equality Plan, the Human Resources Strategy for Researchers, the Data Protection Regulations, and the Financial Management Guidelines of the mdw apply.

 

More information on projects funded since 2018 through the AR Pilot Call

 

 

Research Support

Mag.a Therese Kaufmann, MA

Anton-von-Webern-Platz 1
1030 Wien
1. Stock, Raum B 01 23
Tel. +43 1 711 55-6101

forschungsfoerderung@mdw.ac.at