The funding scheme “Impact innovation” - The idea behind and the results of an assessment

Abstract

In February 2017 the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) started with a first call of the funding scheme “Impact Innovation”. In contrast to traditional R&D-funding instruments an in-depth problem analysis, the ideation process and the idea selection formed an integral part of the projects to be funded. Despite the consistently positive results that have been shown, the programme faces a number of challenges which require further reflection. These refer to the programme’s key objectives of addressing new types of innovation and new target groups. The present assessment concludes with recommendations to overcome these challenges.