FH Upper Austria Crowned the “Research Champion” Among Austria’s Universities of Applied Sciences

With research revenues of €35.7 million, 562 research projects, and 575 scientific publications in 2025, FH Upper Austria has reaffirmed its position as by far the strongest research-performing University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Austria. The university also ranks among the leading institutions in the entire German-speaking higher education sector for applied sciences. Companies and public institutions benefit directly from research collaborations with FH Upper Austria, turning innovative ideas into practical solutions and market-ready applications. Students, in turn, gain valuable insights through the close integration of teaching and research.

“In 2025, 242 professors and 230 research staff members worked on 562 research projects,” says FH-Prof. DI Dr. Michael Rabl, MBA, President of FH Upper Austria, highlighting the institution’s outstanding research performance. Around 97.5 percent of the research volume is dedicated to key technologies that generate significant value for industry partners.

A total of 58 percent of projects address Green Deal-related topics, while 64 percent focus on digitalisation and artificial intelligence. Major Green Deal research areas include production and circular economy, clean energy, sustainable mobility, and food and nutrition.

Clear Leader in Austrian Research Funding Projects
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) is the country's most important funding body for applied research. Among all Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences, FH Upper Austria ranks first with 129 FFG-funded projects launched over the past four years. For comparison, the second-placed FH Joanneum recorded only around half that number during the same period.

One Third of Austria’s Josef Ressel Centres Located at FH Upper Austria
The Josef Ressel Centres (JRZ), funded by the Christian Doppler Research Association, represent the pinnacle of applied research at Universities of Applied Sciences in terms of project duration and funding volume.

“With six of Austria’s eighteen active Josef Ressel Centres, FH Upper Austria is clearly the leading University of Applied Sciences in the country,” says FH-Prof. Priv.-Doz. DI Dr. Johann Kastner, Vice President for Research at FH Upper Austria.

As one of the highlights of the 2025 research year, Kastner points to the field of hydrogen research: “With the Hydrogen Research Centre, which opened in October, we are working on a future-oriented topic of central importance to both industry and mobility. The FH Upper Austria Hydrogen Research Centre at our Wels Campus has become a hotspot for hydrogen research in Austria. The current volume of hydrogen-related research projects amounts to €12.7 million.”

The centre supports companies and institutions in implementing climate-neutral gases such as green hydrogen and in developing and testing related technologies and components.

Strong Support from the State of Upper Austria
“Innovation is the key driver of value creation, employment and prosperity. Our innovation strength must continue to distinguish Upper Austria from other regions in Europe and around the world, ensuring and expanding our competitiveness,” emphasizes Markus Achleitner, Provincial Councillor for Economic Affairs and Research of Upper Austria.

He notes that €113.8 million will be invested in science and research through the Upper Austrian economic affairs budget in 2026, the highest amount ever allocated. In comparison, approximately €103 million was invested in 2025. Achleitner also welcomed the growth in FH Upper Austria’s research revenues of around 4.5 percent from 2024 to 2025.

Expanding the International Dimension of Research as UAP
Starting in January 2027, FH Upper Austria will operate internationally under the name UAP – University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. The new name reflects the institution’s commitment to scientific excellence, internationalisation, and applied research with real-world impact.

“Far more than our previous name, UAP reflects our international orientation and identity as a University of Applied Sciences. This means we will place even greater emphasis on international collaborations, research topics of global relevance, and the acquisition of European research funding,” explains President Michael Rabl.

A strong example of this strategy is provided by four projects acquired in 2026 under the EU’s Horizon Europe programme, in which FH Upper Austria participates either as lead partner or consortium member. These projects focus on the fields of mobility and advanced materials.

Better Framework Conditions for Applied Research
Universities of Applied Sciences play a crucial role in Austria’s economic and social development. Strengthening their research capabilities through targeted funding, improved infrastructure, and even closer cooperation with industry is essential for accelerating innovation and safeguarding Austria’s competitiveness.

To fully realise the research potential of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences, FH Upper Austria advocates:

• Increased and sustainable federal funding for applied research
• A substantial expansion of competitive research funding, particularly for industry collaboration projects, combined with less bureaucratic application procedures
• The introduction of accreditation opportunities for doctoral programmes at Universities of Applied Sciences to further strengthen academic careers and research excellence.

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