Internal funding opportunities
PMU Research & Innovation Fund (PMU-RIF)

General information on the application process

The previous online portal for applications (R&I Portal) has been discontinued. From now on, applications will be processed using the Jotform software. We hope this new system will simplify the application process for you in the future.

• The online forms for research funding applications will be made available approximately one month before each call under the tabs below.
• You can access the forms WITHOUT prior registration and from any digital device without restrictions.
• Submitting applications through the online forms is mandatory. Project applications submitted outside of the online portal will not be accepted and will be considered non-compliant with the PMU-RIF guidelines.
• Once you click "send" on the online forms, your application will be considered submitted. It will then be processed and reviewed for the next available call.
• All online forms are in English. Project applications may be submitted in English or German, depending on the funding stream. Detailed information can be found in the guidelines. 

Assistance with using our online application forms

• At the beginning of each form, you will find a "navigation bar" that allows you to easily jump from page to page.
• We recommend first completing the "main applicant" section and, if applicable, the "co-applicant" section, and then saving the form.
• To save an application, click "Save" at the end of a page and then select "Skip Account Creation." A link to the form will be emailed to you. If you want to share the form with your team or trusted colleagues, feel free to forward the link. NOTE: Please do not work on the form simultaneously with others, as this may result in data loss.
• Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*). If required fields are not completed, you will receive an error message, and the corresponding field will be highlighted in red. Clicking "See Errors" will take you directly to the incomplete fields.

• Font styles and sizes are automatically set to "Arial, size 10" when typing directly into the form.
  Copying and pasting text from external programs (such as Adobe Acrobat or Microsoft Word) into the form may result in an error due to the incompatibility of special characters and formatting. However, there is a simple solution:

  First, paste the text into Google Drive → simply open Google Drive, create a new Google Docs document, select and paste the text using Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. Then, copy the text from Google Docs and paste it into the online form using Ctrl+V — done! (It sounds more complicated than it is!)

Sollten Sie technische Probleme mit den Online-Formular haben, speichern Sie das Formular am besten immer erst ab! Wenn Sie Hilfe benötigen, kontaktieren Sie uns gerne jederzeit über nachfolgenden Kontakt, wir helfen Ihnen!

If you experience technical issues with the online form, it is best to save the form first! If you need help, feel free to contact us anytime using the contact details below. We are here to assist you!

As we are also getting accustomed to these new digital processes, we welcome any feedback on the online portal and the application process to understand how we can improve the experience for you! Please contact us at: forschung.service@pmu.ac.at | +43 (0)662 2420-80286.

The application process is completed through the following online form:

• Application form

Before filling out the online form, please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• Scientific CV of all applicants, including their 10 most important publications and other significant scientific achievements (maximum of 3 A4 pages per applicant, Arial font size 11 or larger).
• Scientific CV of all individuals involved in this project, including their 10 most important publications and other significant scientific achievements (maximum of 3 A4 pages per person, Arial font size 11 or larger).
• Project description using the provided template
  • Please describe the state of the art, respectively the background of the research proposed (including a brief problem statement)
  • Please evaluate existing knowledge and evidence and identify the research gap, which this study is intended to contribute (including e.g. aim(s), specific objective(s) and/or leading research questions/hypothesis)
  • Formal requirements: Arial font 11, max. 3 outline levels, max. 3 pages incl. images | tables.
• Organization of the project using the provided template
  • Work plan and Gantt-Chart structure: Please provide a suitable work plan and Gantt Chart structure for your proposal (incl. study design and material/methods, [if applicable measure/intervention/target population], data analysis, deliverables, milestones, time schedule)
  • Formal requirements: Arial font 11, max. 3 outline levels, max. 9 pages incl. images | tables.
• Budget using the provided template (please complete in Excel and save as a PDF).
• Approval statements from all involved department heads/supervisors using the provided template (please complete the document and save as a PDF).
• Ethics committee approval, if applicable.
• Animal experimentation approval, if applicable.

The application process is completed through the following online form:

• Application form

Before filling out the online form, please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• Scientific CV of all applicants, including their 10 most important publications and other significant scientific achievements (maximum of 3 A4 pages per applicant, Arial font size 11 or larger).
• Project description using the provided template
  • Subheadings shall include but are not limited to methodology, explanation of the test planning, data evaluation, schedule, persons working on the project, collaboration partners. Clear representation of the impulse character including information why an external funding is not possible!
  • Formal requirements: Arial font 11, max. 3 outline levels, max. 5 pages incl. images | tables
• Approval statements from all involved department heads/supervisors using the provided template (exception: if the application is submitted by department heads/supervisors themselves).
• Ethics committee approval, if applicable.
• Animal experimentation approval, if applicable.

We would also like to draw your attention to a similar funding program,  "Early Career Seed Money" by the FWF and the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW). This program supports unconventional, innovative, and potentially high-risk ideas with uncertain outcomes. The funding is interdisciplinary and open to various topics, offering seed money between €25,000 and €75,000 as flexible, freely usable grants. The target group includes outstanding early-career researchers up to 3 years post-PhD. For further information, please feel free to contact us at forschung.service@pmu.ac.at.

Please note: As of November 2022, the PRE program has been modified to allow employees who are pursuing a PhD at other universities to apply for PRE funding!

The application process is completed through the following online form:

• Application form

Before filling out the online form, please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• Scientific CV of the applicant, including their 10 most important publications and other significant scientific achievements (maximum of 3 A4 pages per applicant, Arial font size 11 or larger).
• Supervision agreement.
• Project description using the provided template
  • Please describe the planned project (subheadings shall include but are not limited to methodology, explanation of the test planning, data evaluation, schedule, persons working on the project, collaboration partners, any necessary official approval notices.
  • Formal requirements: Arial font 11, max. 3 outline levels, max. 5 pages incl. images | tables.
• Admission confirmation from the respective PhD program, if already available.
• Ethics committee approval, if applicable.
• Animal experimentation approval, if applicable.
• Wissenschaftlicher CV Antragsteller*in, inkl. der 10 wichtigsten Publikationen sowie anderer bedeutender wissenschaftlicher Errungenschaften (max. 3 Din-A4 Seiten pro Antragsteller*in, Arial font mind. 11)
• Betreuungsvereinbarung
• Zulassungsbestätigung des jeweiligen PhD-Programms, wenn bereits vorhanden
• Votum Ethikkommmission, wenn zutreffend
• Genehmigung Tierversuche, wenn zutreffend
• For:
  a) Start funding: the external third-party funding application.
  b) International Start: the MSCA-DN application, including the review.
  c) Final funding: the already generated graphics and tables for publication.
• Approval statement from the department head/supervisor, using the provided template

The application process is completed through the following online form:

• Application form

Before filling out the online form, please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• Confirmation that the externally funded third-party project application has been uploaded to PURE before submitting the UP application.
• Confirmation letter from the externally funded project, clearly indicating the portion of the funding allocated to PMU.
• If applying for non-monetary support, the work plan must also be uploaded.

The application process is completed through the following online form:

Application form

Before filling out the online form, please prepare the following documents as PDFs:

• Scientific CV of the applicant, including the 10 most important publications and other significant scientific achievements (maximum of 3 A4 pages, Arial font size 11 or larger).
• Project description using the provided template
  • Subheadings shall include but are not limited to methodology, explanation of the test planning, data evaluation, schedule, persons working on the project, collaboration partners, any necessary official approval notices.
  • Formal requirements: Arial font 11, max. 3 outline levels, max. 3 pages incl. images | tables.
• Confirmation letter from the host institution(s).
• Approval statement from all involved department heads/supervisors, using the provided template.
• Ethics committee approval, if applicable.

• Animal experimentation approval, if applicable

   

The RDF is available in specific cases where research-related questions do not fall under any of the above funding streams. Applications can only be submitted after prior contact at forschung.service@pmu.ac.at. Please note that this fund is unevenly endowed, and therefore funding can only be provided to a limited extent.

After funding approval

• Notification of names and addresses of the workplace and supervisors for contract preparation (via email to forschung.service[at]pmu.ac.at)
• Provide a cost center for each applicant (a project-specific cost center). If the project is being managed through PMU, you can apply for the cost center here; for SALK employees, please contact Ms. Zoll (i.zoll[at]salk.at) (Please send the cost center details via email to  forschung.service[at]pmu.ac.at)
• Provide the project start date.
• Afterward, the first tranche of 40% of the funding amount will be disbursed.

Six months after project start

• Submission of a progress report (submitted by the PI) every 6 months. This should include information on expenses incurred so far and the current status of the project, organized by work packages.
• half a DIN A4 page is sufficient
• submit via email to forschung.service[at]pmu.ac.at

18 months after project start

• Submission of an interim report (submitted by the PI), which should include:

1. information on expenses incurred so far (extract from the accounting system)
2. project status (half a DIN A4 page is sufficient)
3. submit via email to  forschung.service[at]pmu.ac.at

• The interim report will then be reviewed and approved by a member of the RIF allocation board.
• After approval, the second tranche of 40% of the funding will be disbursed.

Six weeks after project completion

• Submission of a final report (submitted by the PI), which should include:

1. comparison between the project proposal and project completion (description of the individual work packages, whether everything went according to plan, if objectives had to be adjusted, and key findings)
2. which publications or similar outputs have been or will be produced?
3. financial summary: extract from the accounting system & invoices as PDFs
4. submit via email to forschung.service[at]pmu.ac.at

• The final report will be reviewed and approved by a member of the RIF allocation board.
• After approval, the third and final tranche of 20% of the funding will be disbursed.

If desired, reports can be generated using our general template.

After funding approval

• Notification of names and addresses of the workplace and supervisors for contract preparation.
• Provide a cost center (project-specific). If there are multiple applicants, please provide one cost center per legal entity. If the project is being managed through PMU, you can apply for the cost center here; SALK employees should contact Ms. Zoll (i.zoll[at]salk.at).
• Provide the project start date and the expected end date.
• Afterward, the first tranche of 90% of the funding amount will be disbursed.

6 months after project start

• Submission of an interim report, which must include:

1. the current status of the project (half a DIN A4 page is sufficient)
2. information on expenses incurred so far—extract from the accounting system

• The interim report will be reviewed and approved by a member of the RIF allocation board.

After project completion:

• Submission of a final report, which must include:

1. comparison between the project proposal and project completion (description of individual work packages, whether everything went according to plan, if objectives had to be adjusted, and the key findings).
2. which publications or similar outputs have resulted or are expected?
3. financial summary: extract from the accounting system & invoices as PDFs.

• The final report will be reviewed and approved by a member of the RIF allocation board.
• After approval, the second tranche of 10% of the funding will be disbursed.

If desired, reports can be generated using our general template.

After funding approval

• Notification of the names and addresses of the workplace and supervisors for contract preparation.
• Provide a cost center (project-specific). If the project is being managed through PMU, you can apply for the cost center here; SALK employees should contact Ms. Zoll (i.zoll[at]salk.at)
• Provide the start date and the expected end date of the project.
• Provide the expected completion date of the doctoral studies.
• Afterward, the first tranche of 90% of the funding will be disbursed.

3 months after project start (ONLY FOR FINAL FINANCING)

• Submission of a progress report, which must include:

1. information on expenses incurred so far—extract from the accounting system
2. current project status (half a DIN A4 page is sufficient)

After project completion:

• Submission of a final report, which must include:

1. comparison between the project proposal and project completion (description of the individual work packages, whether everything went according to plan, if objectives had to be adjusted, and key findings)
2. which publications or similar outputs have resulted or are expected?
3. information on follow-up funding and, for Start Funding, details on the continued employment of the student (the student must remain employed at PMU for 6 months after project completion as per the contract).
4. financial summary: extract from the accounting system.
5. for Final Financing: iff already available, the publication produced during the funding period.

• Afterward, the second tranche of 10% of the funding will be disbursed.

6 weeks after completion of doctoral studies

• Submission of the doctoral thesis.

If desired, reports can be generated using our general template.

After funding approval

• Notification of the names and addresses of the workplace and supervisors for contract preparation.
• Provide a cost center (project-specific). If the project is being managed through PMU, you can apply for the cost center here; SALK employees should contact Ms. Zoll (i.zoll[at]salk.at)
• Provide the completion date of the external project application that forms the basis of the funding request.
• Afterward, the entire funding amount will be disbursed.

6 weeks after completion of the external project:

• Submission of a final report, which must include:

1. report of the external application
2. financial summary: extract from the accounting system & invoices as PDFs

• The final report will be reviewed and approved by a member of the RIF allocation board.

If desired, reports can be generated using our general template.

After funding approval

• Bekanntgabe der Namen und Adressen des Arbeitsplatzes und der Vorgesetzten für die Vertragserrichtung
• Provide personal bank details.
• Provide the start and end dates of the research stay.

• Afterward, the entire funding amount will be disbursed.

   

6 weeks after completion of research stay

• Submission of a final report, which must include:

1. confirmation from the host institution of the research stay (a brief two-line statement with the date, signed by the host institution, is sufficient).
2. short report on the outcome of the research stay (How did the funding support the acquisition of scientific qualifications, skills, or assist in the completion of projects?).

If desired, reports can be generated using our general template.