Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISIAssessing the sustainability criteria in the selection process of RTI projects funding, funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)"
Since 2021, "sustainability" has been requested and evaluated as a separate criterion in applications for FFG project funding.
The aim of this study was to assess how the criterion "sustainability" is currently used and whether the actual goal – to promote projects with sustainability potential – is being realised with the current process. The aim was also to identify the challenges posed by this evaluation process and develop suggestions for improvement.
The project used a mix methods approach consisting of quantitative analyses of the evaluation scores and qualitative methods such as interviews and reviews of the project applications and final documentation. The study included participatory elements, in particular workshops with FFG staff in charge of the selection processes.