NewsletterMarch 11, 2026
FFG Life Sciences: Up to €3 Million for R&D Projects
The FFG's Austrian Life Sciences Programme supports innovative R&D projects and clinical studies by Austrian companies with a total budget of €45 million.
A negative decision on your research premium is far from the end. There are several ways to still secure the premium.
What to expect in this issue
- Deep Dive - Research premium rejected? What now?
- StartMatch News - StartMatch turns 1
- FörderRadar - New and expiring grants
In our Deep Dive, we regularly present a financing or funding topic in detail. Today:
It happens time and again that a research premium is not immediately approved. In most cases, this is due to a negative assessment by the FFG (Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft mbH).
But a negative assessment is far from the end! There are several ways to still secure the research premium.
Before the tax office issues a negative decision, a request for supplementation is made in cases of ambiguities or rejected focus areas. This is no reason to panic, but rather an important window of opportunity.
When originally applying for the research premium, only 3,000 characters are available in FinanzOnline to describe the entire project.
However, this is often not enough to make the technical challenge, the novelty, and the risks comprehensible.
The statement in response to the request for supplementation has no character limit. You can write an extended technical description and additionally upload attachments such as graphics, sketches, test reports, or other documents as PDFs.
This allows the project to be presented in a much more substantiated, technical, and comprehensible way than in the original application with only 3,000 characters.
The statement is submitted in FinanzOnline under "Anträge/Ergänzungsersuchen": a short introductory text followed by the relevant documents (PDF etc.). Important: The statement must be submitted within the specified deadline.
The statement is then forwarded by the tax office to the FFG for evaluation. Our experience shows that a large proportion of supplementations (for truly innovative projects) are ultimately successful. So don't be discouraged right away!
A practical tip: Even though there is no character limit, you shouldn't overdo it. The FFG is staffed by people too. A 30-page statement can be more off-putting than convincing. Focus on the key points.
If a negative decision is issued even after the statement, a complaint can be filed within one month. This is also submitted via FinanzOnline under "Anträge/Ergänzungsersuchen".
But be aware: In practice, the chances of a positive evaluation become very slim with a complaint. Your best chance is in the request for supplementation.
Sometimes the FFG asks for clarification even before the assessment is prepared. For this, up to 60,000 characters are available in the research premium input form in FinanzOnline (text only, no attachments). Important: The input window is only available within the response deadline. If you receive this inquiry, take the opportunity and describe your project in as much detail as possible.
If the research premium was only rejected for individual projects or project components, it is possible to apply for a partial payment for the positively evaluated parts.
This way, at least part of the premium can be secured quickly.
Most rejections can be traced back to a few causes:
If these criteria are not met, the application is rejected.
If your research premium was rejected or you are unsure how to structure an objection effectively, we are happy to help.
Simply write to us at robert@startmatch.ai - we'll gladly give you our assessment of your specific application free of charge.
On February 5th, we celebrated our first birthday and the past 12 months have been quite a ride.
As with every startup, the first year was a real rollercoaster. We tried a lot, discarded some things, and learned a great deal. Some of our assumptions were wrong and not every idea took off. But today we know exactly what we're doing and where we're heading.
Highlights of the past 12 months:
A big thank you to all customers, partners, and supporters who accompanied us during our first year. Without your feedback, your patience, and your trust, this would not have been possible.
What's next?
For the next 12 months, growth and expansion are at the top of the agenda. We look forward to it and are working relentlessly to ensure you can access the research premium quickly and easily.
Important news about grants in Austria.
Praktika fĂĽr SchĂĽler:innen 2026
Open since 26.01.2026 - Submission deadline 31.12.2026
Mobilitätswende 2025/2 - Mobilitätssystem
Submission deadline only until 25.02.2026
FORTE Ausschreibung 2025
Submission deadline only until 06.03.2026
Expedition Zukunft START 2025/2
Submission deadline only until 17.03.2026
Best of luck with your projects!
Best regards,
Robert & your StartMatch Team đź‘‹
The FFG's Austrian Life Sciences Programme supports innovative R&D projects and clinical studies by Austrian companies with a total budget of €45 million.
The European Commission has launched two new funding calls under Horizon Europe - with a total budget of €307.3 million for AI and key digital technologies.
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