Science I
mpact

Science I
mpact

Science has a profound and continuing impact on economic and societal development—in many ways, it shapes how we live, think, and organise the world.

“…pure research is the pace-maker of technological progress.” (Science, the Endless Frontier, Vannevar Bush, 1945)

Knowledge A
ction

Knowledge A
ction

Advancing economic and societal development necessitates translating scientific knowledge into effective action – complex societal challenges require innovative solutions.

“If we can land a man on the moon, why can’t we solve the problems of the ghetto?” (The Moon and the Ghetto, Richard R. Nelson, 1977)

Crowd I
nnovation

Crowd I
nnovation

Innovative solutions emerge from coordinated and facilitated collaboration among diverse stakeholders – including government, industry, academia, and civil society – who engage in joint efforts to address complex challenges.

“These challenges are typically multi-level and multi-dimensional, often coexisting and requiring innovative solutions, transdisciplinary approaches and coordinated efforts…“ (Align, Act, Accelerate: Research, Technology, and Innovation to Boost European Competitiveness, European Commission, 2024)

Enabling C
ollaboration

Enabling C
ollaboration

We facilitate collaboration across science, policy, business, and civil society, turning knowledge into collective action.

We help research organisations design and implement processes, programmes, and partnerships that enable them to address societal challenges more effectively.

We advise funders in the development and implementation of collaborative research funding programmes that are strategically aligned with societal needs.

We plan and organise workshops that are concise and focused, designed to foster collaboration among scientific, governmental, industrial, and civil society stakeholders to address complex societal challenges.

These workshops provide structured environments for knowledge exchange and joint problem-solving, promoting innovative solutions through coordinated engagement across diverse sectors. Their shorter duration makes them ideal for targeted discussions and immediate outcomes.

Ideas L
ab

We design and facilitate Ideas Labs that bring togehter researchers from a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines, alongside key stakeholders, to collaboratively develop novel and unconventional research approaches aimed at addressing complex societal challenges.

These labs foster a culture of rigorous scientific inquiry and structured dialogue, enabling participants to collectively experiment and refine pioneering concepts over several days. The immersive format ensures that innovative ideas are translated into robust, evidence-based solutions with tangible societal impact.

Grant S
upport

We provide comprehensive support to researchers preparing grant applications, with particular emphasis on integrating transdisciplinary and participatory research approaches and methods.

This guidance ensures that proposals are methodologically robust and aligned with current best practices in collaborative and stakeholder-engaged research.

Programme D
esign

Programme D
esign

We advise research funding organisations in the conceptualization, development, and implementation of collaborative and transformative research programmes, ensuring that these initiatives are strategically aligned with current scientific and societal priorities.

Our support encompasses the design of effective funding mechanisms and the facilitation of interdisciplinary partnerships, thereby fostering innovative approaches to address complex challenges.

Systems C
onvening

We offer expert guidance to organisations on systems convening, supporting the development of collaborative structures that enable effective engagement across diverse stakeholder groups.

This guidance ensures the targeted steering and moderation of collaboration to create environments in which innovation is promoted, and transformative impact can be achieved within projects and initiatives.

Advancing I
mpact

We work together with researchers, universities, research institutes and research funding organisations to address complex societal challenges through transformative, collaborative research.

FWF C
onsultation

FWF C
onsultation

The consultation process for the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) aimed to gather the experiences, expectations, and needs of all key stakeholders involved in the doc.funds.connect programme, to identify improvement opportunities and make the programme more attractive. It was implemented through a series of four externally moderated workshops, which brought together representatives from ministries, universities, universities of applied sciences, programme coordinators, doctoral candidates, and programme managers, using participatory methods to ensure broad input and structured dialogue.

The insights and development opportunities identified during the consultation process were consolidated and prioritised by stakeholders, and these results have been actively incorporated into the planning and design of the next call for the doc.funds.connect programme.

Joanneum W
orkshop

Joanneum W
orkshop

The Workshop series on transdisciplinary research in European Missions provided a comprehensive introduction to transdisciplinary research within the context of EU missions, highlighting its significance, core characteristics, and the organisational formats.

The training featured expert-led sessions, interactive group work, and real-world case studies to help participants apply transdisciplinary principles in their professional contexts.

OS Festival W
orkshop

OS Festival W
orkshop

The Workshop „From Open to Impact – Open Science and Knowledge Valorisation” provided an in-depth introduction to transdisciplinary research, focusing on open science and knowledge valorisation, and explored their application across various fields. Participants have been engaged with key concepts, challenges, and competencies required for successful transdisciplinary collaboration, guided by current frameworks and practical examples.

University of Vienna S
upport

University of Vienna S
upport

We provided targeted advice in the context of a research funding application, with a particular focus on the integration of transdisciplinary methods. This support ensured that the proposed project was methodologically robust and aligned with current best practices in transdisciplinary research.

GÖG S
upport

GÖG S
upport

We support Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) in the establishment of its Grant Office, contributing to the development of effective structures and processes for research funding management. In addition, we offer guidance to researchers in preparing applications for European grants, with a focus on enhancing the quality and competitiveness of their proposals.

Mag. Patrick L
ehner

Mag. Patrick L
ehner

I draw on many years of experience within the science and innovation system: as Head of the Open Innovation in Science Centre at the Ludwig Boltzmann Society, Director of the Administration Institute at the Austrian Academy of Sciences, and Head of Research Services at the Vienna University of Economics and Business.

I studied economics at the University of Vienna and the University of California Santa Cruz, with research focused on science and innovation systems.