Minister Hanke on "Talente regional": 3 million Euros in funding turns children into budding researchers Start for new FFG call for proposals - Initiative inspires innovation and technology
The new call for proposals Talente regional — Children, Companies and the World of Research will begin next week. The initiative from the Federal Ministry for Innovation, Mobility and Infrastructure (BMIMI) aims to ignite a passion for applied research among children and young people at an early age. This serves as a long-term strategy to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in Austria through practical, regional educational offerings in the fields of research, technology and innovation (RTI). The call for proposals is managed by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG. A total of nearly 3 million Euros is available for the initiative, with a maximum funding amount of 130,000 Euros per project.
“The future of our country is in the hands of creative, committed young people. Their spirit of innovation and passion are the fuel for tomorrow's technologies. Therefore, we support projects where children and adolescents can experience technology and innovation up close. Thanks to Talente regional, they can conduct research and experiments themselves and learn about activities and career fields in RTI. The playful engagement sparks enthusiasm and reveals opportunities for careers in research, technology, and innovation,” emphasises Innovation Minister Peter Hanke.
“Enthusiasm for research often starts with an 'aha moment' in the classroom or through direct interaction with researchers. With Talente regional, we create such opportunities throughout Austria, laying the foundation for future professionals in science, technology, and industry,” says Karin Tausz, Managing Director of FFG.
Each Talente regional project is formed from a partnership of at least two innovative companies and a scientific institution. These receive funding and then work hand in hand with at least five educational institutions to integrate knowledge on future topics from research, technology, and innovation (RTI) into age-appropriate educational formats and convey this to children and young people. From kindergarten to graduation, children and young people immerse themselves for a year in fascinating STEM subjects: they research, experiment, and get to know future careers and science firsthand. Importantly, the projects are designed to reach everyone, regardless of background, gender, or location. The aim is to inspire all young people for STEM, with a special focus on girls, who are still underrepresented in technical professions.
A focus on STEM from kindergarten age is enshrined in the current government programme. The goal is to sustainably establish Austria as a country of STEM talents. The Talente regional call for proposals makes a central contribution to this – regional, practical, and future-oriented.
In the previous call for proposals in 2024, around 3 million Euros of funding were available. This enabled the support of 23 projects in the fields of Digital Technologies, Energy and Environment, Life Sciences, Mobility, Production, and Space. Since the start of Talente regional in 2010, over 200 STEM projects have been funded. More than 100,000 people – including children and adolescents, their parents, teachers, as well as participants from research and business – have been directly involved.
Further information about the call for proposals: ffg.at/talente-regional