Dr- Ignaz- Seipel- Platz 2
Subway: Stephansplatz, Stubentor
Tel. 515 810
Open: 8am- 5pm Mon- Fri
The Austrian Academy of Sciences (Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, or ÖAW) serves as Austria's leading non-university hub for fundamental research. Under the special auspices of the Republic of Austria, it operates as both an esteemed learned society and a comprehensive research entity. Its primary mission involves advancing the sciences and humanities in every conceivable domain, prioritizing basic research that broadens theoretical understanding—often without direct immediate applications but forming the foundation for long-term breakthroughs. This extends to encouraging cross-disciplinary partnerships, nurturing emerging talent, and participating in societal discussions on scientific topics. As of December 2025, the ÖAW employs more than 1,200 personnel and is chiefly funded by the Austrian federal government, with additional support from the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), European Union initiatives, and private collaborations. Its annual budget surpasses €200 million, enabling a wide array of activities from fieldwork to advanced computational modeling.
The idea for the academy was first proposed in 1713 by the
philosopher Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who suggested creating a
scientific body in Vienna akin to the Royal Society in London or the
Académie des Sciences in Paris. Despite initial enthusiasm, various
political and economic obstacles postponed its establishment for more
than 130 years. It was officially founded on May 14, 1847, by Emperor
Ferdinand I via an Imperial Patent, initially named the "Kaiserliche
Akademie der Wissenschaften in Wien" (Imperial Academy of Sciences in
Vienna). During its formative period, the focus was on disseminating
historical documents in the humanities and pursuing exploratory
investigations in the natural sciences, which included sponsoring
expeditions and building extensive collections that significantly
enriched Austria's cultural and intellectual legacy.
After the
collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire post-World War I, the academy
was reorganized under a 1921 federal law, cementing its position within
the First Austrian Republic. It endured substantial difficulties during
the interwar years, the 1938 Anschluss, and World War II, such as the
forced removal of Jewish scholars and operational interruptions amid
conflict. In the aftermath of 1945, within the Second Republic, the ÖAW
underwent reconstruction and growth, especially accelerating from the
mid-1960s to become Austria's foremost institution for non-university
fundamental research. A pivotal development was the creation of
specialized research institutes in 1973. Additional modernization took
place in 2012 with a thorough restructuring, which entailed shifting
certain institutes to universities, consolidating others for greater
efficiency, and sharpening emphasis on innovative areas like digital
humanities and quantum innovations. By 2025, the academy has further
adapted to pressing global issues, including environmental
sustainability, artificial intelligence ethics, and population changes,
while upholding principles of open-access publishing and worldwide
collaboration.
As a learned society, the ÖAW comprises about 770 lifelong members,
selected for their outstanding academic accomplishments. Membership
categories include full members (wirkliche Mitglieder), who possess
voting privileges and are mostly based in Austria; corresponding members
(korrespondierende Mitglieder), split between domestic and international
scholars; honorary members (Ehrenmitglieder) for eminent individuals;
and the Young Academy for talented researchers under 45. The selection
process entails member nominations, in-depth peer evaluations, and
endorsement by one of two principal classes: the Class for Humanities,
Social Sciences, and Cultural Studies (previously the
Philosophical-Historical Class) or the Class for Mathematics and Natural
Sciences. These classes shape research strategies and manage member
inductions.
The governance structure features a presidium headed by
the president (currently Heinz Faßmann, a geographer and ex-Minister of
Education, elected in 2022) and vice president (Ulrike Diebold, a
physicist focused on surface science). They are aided by class
secretaries and an administrative staff. Oversight comes from committees
handling ethics, global affairs, and resource distribution. The ÖAW
manages 26 research institutes and centers, organized thematically
across fields like archaeology, biological sciences, quantum physics,
and sociology. The majority are based in Vienna, with satellite
locations in places such as Graz, Innsbruck, Linz, and Leoben to
leverage local expertise. The academy prioritizes interdisciplinary
efforts and sustains robust connections with universities, the European
Research Council (ERC), and international organizations like the
International Science Council. In 2025, it introduced programs to draw
global expertise, including fellowships that recruited 25 leading
scientists from the United States for joint ventures in molecular
biology and demography.
The ÖAW's institutes spearhead innovative fundamental research,
frequently collaborating with academic institutions, industries, and
global entities such as CERN and the Vienna BioCenter. They utilize
state-of-the-art techniques, ranging from AI analytics to space-based
observations, and offer expert input on topics like environmental policy
and healthcare. Below is a detailed list of the 26 institutes, grouped
by category, with expanded overviews including key research areas,
locations, and notable recent developments as of 2025:
Archaeology and Classical Studies
Austrian Archaeological Institute
(OeAI): Specializes in excavations, artifact examination, and cultural
heritage preservation at locations like Ephesos in Turkey and Carnuntum
in Austria, incorporating digital reconstruction methods. Location:
Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights: Organized a 2025
hybrid conference titled "Heritage Meets Science" to promote
infrastructure for cultural conservation.
Asian Studies and
Social Anthropology
Institute of Iranian Studies (IIS): Explores
Iranian linguistics, historical manuscripts, and modern cultural shifts
in the Middle East. Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent
highlights: Joint efforts on digitally archiving Persian texts.
Institute for the Cultural and Intellectual History of Asia (IKGA):
Investigates philosophies, religions, and textual histories of South and
East Asia, including Buddhist and Hindu traditions. Location:
Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights: Publications
utilizing AI for translating ancient Sanskrit documents.
Institute
for Social Anthropology (ISA): Conducts ethnographic research in
Tibetan, Himalayan, and Central Asian societies, emphasizing migration
and climate effects. Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent
highlights: On-site studies of socioeconomic transformations in
high-elevation areas.
Historical Sciences
Institute for
Habsburg and Balkan Studies (IHB): Examines the political, economic, and
cultural narratives of the Habsburg Monarchy and Balkan regions from the
16th to 20th centuries. Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna.
Recent highlights: Digitizing archival materials for public-access
databases.
Institute for Medieval Research (IMAFO): Focuses on
European medieval history, art, architecture, and manuscripts through
interdisciplinary lenses. Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna.
Recent highlights: Involvement in EU-supported projects on medieval
urban development.
Cultural Studies and Digital Humanities
Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities (ACDH): Develops digital tools
for humanities data handling, text mining, and virtual reality
recreations of historical environments. Location: Bäckerstraße 13, 1010
Vienna. Recent highlights: Created new AI-enhanced platforms for
cultural heritage analysis in 2025.
Institute of Culture Studies
(IKW): Analyzes cultural theory, performing arts, and contemporary
issues like media influence and identity formation. Location:
Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights: Investigations into
digital culture's effects on theater.
Social Sciences and Law
Vienna Institute of Demography (VID): Studies population patterns, aging
demographics, migration forecasts, and European policy impacts.
Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights: Convened
the 2025 Wittgenstein Centre Conference on demographic adaptability.
Institute for Urban and Regional Research (ISR): Addresses spatial
planning, urban sociology, and regional economic inequalities. Location:
Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights: Post-pandemic research
on sustainable urban growth.
Institute for European Tort Law (ETL):
Compares tort laws, liability structures, and EU legal unification.
Location: Reichsratsstraße 17, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights:
Consultative contributions to European Commission legal reforms.
Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research (IGF): Explores
environmental, economic, and social aspects of mountain ecosystems
globally. Location: Innrain 25, Level 3, 6020 Innsbruck. Recent
highlights: Assessments of climate change in the Alps.
Institute for
Comparative Media and Communication Studies (CMC): Examines
international media policies, journalistic ethics, and intercultural
communication. Location: Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna. Recent
highlights: Evaluations of disinformation in the digital age.
Life Sciences
AITHYRA – Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial
Intelligence: Applies AI to biomedicine, including diagnostic
predictions, drug development, and tailored treatments. Location:
Helmut-Qualtinger-Gasse 2/Stiege 2, 1030 Vienna. Recent highlights:
Advances in machine learning for detecting cancer.
Cori Institute of
Molecular and Computational Metabolism (CORI): Investigates metabolic
pathways and computational simulations of conditions like diabetes.
Location: Graz. Recent highlights: Incorporating big data into metabolic
studies.
Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology (GMI):
Researches plant genomics, epigenetics, and strategies for crop
enhancement. Location: Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3-5, 1030 Vienna. Recent
highlights: PhD candidate Víctor Sánchez de Medina Hernández earned the
2025 Vienna BioCenter PhD Award for groundbreaking plant biology work.
Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBA): Delves into stem cell
biology, regenerative medicine, and disease simulations, partnering with
Boehringer Ingelheim. Location: Dr. Bohr-Gasse 3-5, 1030 Vienna. Recent
highlights: Director Elly Tanaka secured the 2025 FWF Wittgenstein Award
(€1.9 million) for axon regeneration research in salamanders, offering
insights into human tissue healing.
Research Center for Molecular
Medicine (CeMM): Probes molecular processes in cancer, inflammation, and
immune conditions. Location: Lazarettgasse 14, AKH BT 25.3, 1090 Vienna.
Recent highlights: Progress in clinical trials for innovative therapies.
Mathematics, Physics, Space Research, and Materials Sciences
Johann Radon Institute for Computational and Applied Mathematics
(RICAM): Develops mathematical simulations, optimizations, and
engineering applications. Location: Altenbergerstrasse 69, 4040 Linz.
Recent highlights: AI algorithms tailored for industrial simulations.
Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI Innsbruck):
Advances quantum computing, photonics, and entanglement studies.
Location: Technikerstraße 21a, 6020 Innsbruck. Recent highlights:
Participated in 2025 events marking 100 years of quantum physics,
spotlighting Austria's contributions.
Institute for Quantum Optics
and Quantum Information (IQOQI Vienna): Explores core quantum mechanics
and optical advancements. Location: Boltzmanngasse 3, 1090 Vienna.
Recent highlights: Partnerships on quantum networking.
Acoustics
Research Institute (ARI): Studies psychoacoustics, noise reduction, and
sound design. Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent
highlights: Initiatives for mitigating urban noise.
Erich Schmid
Institute of Materials Science (ESI): Innovates in nanomaterials, alloy
creation, and eco-conscious production. Location: Jahnstraße 12, 8700
Leoben. Recent highlights: Developments in sustainable materials.
Space Research Institute (SRI): Covers astrophysics, planetary science,
and satellite-based Earth monitoring. Location: Schmiedlstraße 6, 8042
Graz. Recent highlights: Support for European Space Agency (ESA)
endeavors.
Marietta Blau Institute for Particle Physics (MBI):
Focuses on high-energy physics, detection technologies, and cosmological
inquiries. Location: Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. Recent
highlights: Continued collaborations with CERN.
Other Research
Units
Institute of Technology Assessment (ITA): Evaluates societal
effects of new technologies, including ethical considerations and policy
guidance. Location: Bäckerstraße 13, 1010 Vienna. Recent highlights:
2025 reports on AI regulation.
The ÖAW features an illustrious lineup of members, encompassing many
Nobel laureates. Historical figures include physicist Ludwig Boltzmann
(founder of statistical mechanics), Christian Doppler (originator of the
Doppler effect), geologist Eduard Suess (early proponent of continental
drift), and Nobel winners such as Julius Wagner-Jauregg (Medicine, 1927,
for malaria-based therapy), Victor Francis Hess (Physics, 1936, for
cosmic radiation), Erwin Schrödinger (Physics, 1933, for quantum wave
mechanics), and Konrad Lorenz (Physiology/Medicine, 1973, for behavioral
studies). Modern prominent members include Anton Zeilinger (Physics
Nobel, 2022, for quantum entanglement), Emmanuelle Charpentier
(Chemistry Nobel, 2020, for CRISPR technology), Eric R. Kandel (Medicine
Nobel, 2000, for neural signaling), Ferenc Krausz (Physics Nobel, 2023,
for attosecond physics), Anne L’Huillier (Physics Nobel, 2023, for
electron dynamics), and Martin Hairer (2014 Fields Medal for stochastic
analysis).
In 2025, standout accomplishments underscore the academy's
dynamism: IMBA's Elly Tanaka claimed the esteemed FWF Wittgenstein Award
for regenerative biology; Wolfgang Lutz, linked to VID and IIASA, was
honored with Austria's top science prize for demographic insights; IQOQI
hosted commemorations for a century of quantum advancements, emphasizing
Austria's legacy; and recruitment drives enhanced international
expertise. Institutes have also progressed in quantum computing (through
IQOQI alliances) and molecular medicine (via CeMM and IMBA's disease
modeling).
The ÖAW promotes scientific awareness via public initiatives, such as
the "Galerie der Forschung" (initiated in 2005) for illustrating debates
in areas like genetically modified organisms, yearly public talks, and
programs for young scholars including doctoral stipends. It organizes
symposia, exemplified by the 2025 Wittgenstein Centre gathering on
population trends and the "Heritage Meets Science" virtual-physical
event, bridging experts and decision-makers.
Through the Austrian
Academy of Sciences Press, it releases over 100 publications yearly.
Prominent journals encompass Medieval Worlds: Comparative &
Interdisciplinary Studies (open-access explorations of medieval
interconnections), Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum
(scholarly editions of Latin ecclesiastical writings), eco.mont –
Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management (focusing on
mountain environmental policies), Memoranda of the Academy of Knowledge:
Mathematical and Natural Science Class (dating to 1850, addressing
sophisticated mathematics and physics), and recent additions like
Quantum Reports (on quantum innovations) and Demographic Research (on
population analyses). These outlets provide worldwide, peer-reviewed
access to forefront discoveries, frequently in open formats to broaden
knowledge accessibility.