In support of Austria’s research environment
Originally established to broaden international cooperation and exposure for researchers and scientists, the Programme is part of an initiative to strengthen Austria’s science system. It also aims to counter the brain drain phenomenon for both Austria and the European Research Area (ERA). The EU-funded SCHROEDINGER FELLOWS (Erwin Schroedinger program) project enabled the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) to improve the Erwin Schroedinger Fellowship Programme. As the third COFUND grant for this programme, the project included the option to apply for reintegration, facilitating as such the critical return phase. Project objectives and efforts focused on enhancing support for researchers working abroad. This project eliminated the age limit, thus expanding the group of potential applicants. Another new programme feature in this action is the reimbursement of pension funds. SCHROEDINGER FELLOWS made a major impact on the career development of top-quality researchers. Activities helped the fellows further develop their competencies and encouraged fruitful international collaboration initiatives. The project provided the necessary impetus for spearheading research programmes that will drive knowledge in emerging areas of interest and scientific inquiry. The support afforded through this project helped the FWF maintain implemented programme improvements as well as its impressive approval rate. Under the project, the Fellowship Programme received 196 applications from January 2012 until June 2013. Of these, 100 were approved by the FWF Decision Board, which resulted in the launch of 94 projects. Overall, 160 outgoing and 31 return years have been co-funded under this contract. It boasted a high reintegration phase as 70 % of the approved projects included a return phase. Almost all the projects led to final reports prepared by the fellows and which were highly positive, in addition to an average publication output of 3.5 scientific publications per fellow. Lastly, the Programme had a very good impact in terms of strengthening the career paths of fellows.
Keywords
Fellowship programme, brain drain, SCHROEDINGER FELLOWS, career paths
