CFPs: FTI Initiative for Industrial Transformation 2026 (Austria)

Deadline: 09-Feb-2027

The RTI Initiative for Transforming Industry Austria supports innovative projects that advance climate-neutral industrial production while strengthening the competitiveness of Austrian manufacturing companies. The programme supports research, development, pilot, and demonstration projects focused on reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions and accelerating the adoption of net-zero technologies. The RTI Initiative for Transforming Industry Austria is designed to support Austria’s transition toward climate-neutral industrial production. The programme aligns with the Austrian Industrial Strategy 2035 and the EU Clean Industrial Deal. It aims to accelerate the development and adoption of net-zero technologies while strengthening the position of Austrian manufacturing companies in international value chains. Supported projects are expected to contribute to climate-neutral industrial production, improve industrial competitiveness, and help diversify Austria’s role in global technology markets. The initiative focuses on innovative technological solutions that can contribute to the transformation of industrial production.

Priority areas include:

Projects should demonstrate how their proposed innovation can contribute to climate-neutral and competitive industrial production. The programme supports standalone research and development projects with a high level of technological maturity. These projects are intended to advance innovative technologies toward practical industrial applications and contribute to technology development that can support industrial transformation. The initiative also supports combined projects involving pilot and demonstration facilities. These projects are intended to accelerate the transfer of innovative technologies from research and development into industrial applications. Pilot and demonstration activities can help establish the technical feasibility and practical application of technologies designed to support climate-neutral industrial production. The programme provides different project formats and funding instruments for industrial transformation.

Supported formats include:

The appropriate funding instrument depends on the nature and development stage of the proposed project. A central objective of the initiative is to accelerate the transformation of industrial production toward climate neutrality. Projects should address technological or operational challenges associated with reducing industrial emissions while maintaining or improving competitiveness. The initiative therefore combines climate objectives with the need to strengthen the Austrian manufacturing sector and its position in international markets. The programme aims not only to reduce emissions but also to strengthen the competitiveness of Austrian manufacturing companies.

Projects are expected to contribute to:

The initiative is open to a broad range of organisations that can contribute to industrial transformation.

Eligible applicants include:

Small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups are encouraged to participate in consortia with large manufacturing companies. This collaborative approach can bring together established industrial capabilities with innovative technologies and solutions developed by smaller companies and emerging businesses. Such partnerships can help accelerate the development, testing, and industrial adoption of climate-neutral technologies. Technology providers and suppliers across the value chain can participate where their solutions contribute to industrial transformation. Their involvement can help connect innovative technologies with manufacturing applications and support the transfer of solutions from development into industrial use. Universities, non-university research organisations, and other research and knowledge dissemination institutions can participate in eligible projects. Their involvement can strengthen the research, technological development, testing, and knowledge-transfer components of industrial transformation projects. Applicants can focus on technologies and approaches that address major industrial decarbonisation challenges.

Relevant areas include:

Applicants should clearly explain how their proposed project contributes to industrial transformation and climate neutrality.

A strong project should demonstrate:

Projects involving multiple organisations should clearly define the contribution of each consortium partner. Industrial transformation often requires cooperation between manufacturing companies, technology developers, suppliers, and research institutions. The initiative therefore provides opportunities for cooperative R&D projects and encourages SMEs and start-ups to work with large manufacturing companies. Such collaboration can combine industrial expertise, research capabilities, and emerging technologies to accelerate the transition toward climate-neutral production. The programme is aligned with the Austrian Industrial Strategy 2035 and the EU Clean Industrial Deal. This alignment reflects the broader objective of supporting industrial decarbonisation while maintaining Europe’s manufacturing competitiveness and strengthening participation in future technology markets. It is a programme supporting innovative industrial research, development, pilot, and demonstration projects that contribute to climate-neutral production and strengthen Austrian manufacturing competitiveness. The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of net-zero technologies, reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen Austria’s position in international value chains and technology markets. Priority areas include electrification, energy efficiency, circular economy, industrial symbiosis, hydrogen, CO₂-neutral gases, CCUS, and the flexibilisation of industrial processes. Yes. The initiative supports standalone R&D projects with a high level of technological maturity. Yes. Combined projects involving pilot and demonstration facilities c