The Austrian Institute for SME Research conducts evaluations and impact analyses of measures, programmes and institutions in various policy areas at international, national and regional level. This involves the analysis and evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the use of public subsidies and other measures in view of limited resources and increasing (inter)national competitive pressure. The relevant research work forms an essential component of a learning and strategically oriented national and European policy making. The evaluation activities of the Austrian Institute for SME Research focus on research, technology and innovation policy (RTI policy), environmental and economic policy as well as labour market and social policy. The Institute is a member of the working group FTI of the German Society for Evaluation e.V. (DeGEval) and a member of the platform fteval. The evaluations of the Austrian Institute for SME Research are based on the (quality) standards developed by these institutions.
The funding programme "EXIST – university based business start-ups" aims to increase the number and success of technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups and to improve the start-up climate at German universities and non-university research institutes.
This accompanying evaluation focuses on the EXIST - Potentials Programme from 2018, the evaluation of EXIST - Start-up Grants and EXIST Research Transfer from 2020 and the overarching consideration of the three programme lines from 2022 to 2025.
EXIST is a funding programme provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate.
German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action
2025/12
Peter Kaufmann
More Info
The climate neutrality of the mobility system is more urgent than ever. Therefore, it is also necessary to use suitable monitoring to show the progress of research projects up to their implementation in social practice and thus also to identify supporting and hindering influencing factors.
With this project, Austrian Institute for SME research, in cooperation with the BMK, AustriaTech, FFG and ongoing projects in the mission-oriented programme Mobility of the Future (MdZ), is developing proposals for impact monitoring, accompanying projects and the programme within the framework of an ‘ImpactLab’.
This will ensure a systematically organised learning process that meets the conceptual demands of modern mission orientation and identifies possible barriers to implementation. The proposals will be continuously tested and implemented as part of the implementation of the RTI Strategy Mobility 2040 from 2021.
Austrian Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
2023/12
Harald Wieser
more info
This accompanying and ex-post evaluation is implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance based on the evaluation plan approved by the European Commission in the period 2022 to 2025.
Due to the accompanying character, there is an ongoing examination of implementation processes, target group outreach, as well as an in-depth analysis of the effects in the target groups and for Germany as a business location. This is implemented methodically using a mix of qualitative and quantitative (econometric) methods.
The evaluation analyses the instrument "BMVIT endowed professorship" and develops recommendations for the further development of the instrument. The focus is on the organisational and structural framework conditions for endowed professorships from the perspective of the sponsor and the universities. The evaluation focuses on questions regarding the appropriate design of the instrument with regard to the intended funding objectives. In addition, the integration of the instrument into the national funding environment and the positioning of endowed professorships in the Austrian university and higher education landscape is examined.
The evaluation of the German Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) with its three R&D programme pillars - individual projects, cooperation projects and innovation networks concerns one of the most important instruments of innovation policy in Germany.
The evaluation focused on the programme period 2015 to mid-2018 and integrated a theory-based approach with a strong empirical basis. Methodologically, the evaluation implemented a coordinated set of analytical-quantitative and qualitative approaches, such as a control group approach as well as a broad set of qualitative methods, including the analysis of spillover-effects of the different programme pillars.
The Houska Prize is the highest endowed private prize for applied research in Austria. Recommendations for the further development of the prize are to be derived through an evaluation.
The development of an overarching monitoring system aims to provide an efficient and transparent system for measuring impact and supporting knowledge development in order to facilitate strategic intelligence at section level in the Federal Ministry of Environment.
The Austrian Research Promotion Agency FFG commissioned this short study in order to examine the status quo with regard to the representation of women in the projects it funds on the one hand, and on the other hand to analyze which measures an agency like the FFG can take or which measures already implemented seem most promising.
The project undertakes a comprehensive evaluation of the funding programmes License.IP (2013-2020) and IP.Market (2017-2022) of Austria Wirtschaftsservice (aws).
The trustworthy use of artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to change the economy in key future industries for the benefit of society and to positively influence the positioning of Austria and Europe in international competition.
The study analyses which factors influence the commercial exploitation success of applied research projects of enterprises. From this, recommendations for action are derived as to how the agency can further develop its services to promote the realisation of exploitation potential.
The subject of the evaluation is Switzerland's space policy as it has developed over the past thirteen years on the basis of the institutional strategy "Swiss Space Policy 2008". The appropriateness and effectiveness of selected guidelines are described and assessed, taking into account past and future developments.
The funding programme "EXIST – university based business start-ups" aims to increase the number and success of technology-oriented and knowledge-based start-ups and to improve the start-up climate at German universities and non-university research institutes.
This accompanying and ex-post evaluation is implemented on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Finance based on the evaluation plan approved by the European Commission in the period 2022 to 2025.
This evaluation will examine the effects that the "Stadt der Zukunft" (“City of Tomorrow”) programme has achieved since its inception. The evaluation is based on extensive surveys of research project participants and various multipliers from application areas such as civil engineering and urban planning.
Trustworthy artificial intelligence (AI) not only has the potential to change the economy in key future industries as a new basic technology, but could also positively influence the positioning of Austria and Europe in international competition.
The climate neutrality of the mobility system is more urgent than ever. Therefore, it is also necessary to use suitable monitoring to show the progress of research projects up to their implementation in social practice and thus also to identify supporting and hindering influencing factors.
The overall objective of this study was to gather evidence on the effectiveness of public support for innovation in Europe. A key finding of the study is that SMEs in the EU continue to face barriers to innovation.
The impact monitoring of RTDI funding for Austrian companies and research organisations assesses direct impacts of the funded projects on RTDI inputs, behavioural changes, and outputs as well as their current needs.
The analysis covers the design and implementation of the 'Funding Announcement for Applied Non-nuclear Research Funding' and the guideline for 'Funding of Energy Transition Real Laboratories' within the 7th Energy Research Programme 'Innovations for the Energy Transition' of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
As part of the project, the klimaaktiv climate protection initiative was evaluated together with the Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy.
The study explores the competitiveness of the engineering industries in the EU against its major competitors USA, Japan, South Korea and the BRICs countries. It compares regulatory frameworks of EU and major third country competitors in the field of engineering industries.
The evaluation analyses the instrument "BMVIT endowed professorship" and develops recommendations for the further development of the instrument.
The evaluation focuses on the analysis of the funding concepts, the implementation and the effects of the programmes.
The study focuses on the achievement of the objectives and the effects of the programme, as well as on the cost-effectiveness of programme implementation by the Space Management (RFM) of the German Aerospace Agency (DLR). The analysis focuses on questions of internal organization and governance of programme implementation, as well as the implementation of large-scale missions. Apart from the actual programme performance, we also develop a concept for an increased future evaluability of the programme.
In this project, possible data bases and methodological challenges for a future evaluation of R&D tax incentives in Germany will be examined and a coordinated evaluation plan drawn up.
The project supports Innosuisse in developing a concept for the agency's impact analysis.
The evaluation of the Central Innovation Programme for SMEs (ZIM) with its three programme pillars R&D individual projects, R&D cooperation projects and networks concerns one of the most important instruments of innovation policy in Germany.
This evaluation commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology (BMK, formerly BMVIT) examined the Austrian space commitment in the period 2012 to 2018 and derived corresponding recommendations for further development. This includes not only the design of the future space strategy, the relevant commitment at ESA and at the level of the European Union, but also the Austrian Space Applications Programme (ASAP), Austria's national space programme.
The study on behalf of DG GROW assessed the feasibility of including societal criteria (environmental, innovation, employment-related) in upstream space procurement within the European Union Space Programmes, Copernicus, Galileo and EGNOS.
Assessment of the conception, implementation and short- to medium-term effects of the CTI Entrepreneurship Programme.
This accompanying evaluation of the implementation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-20 in Austria applies a broad evaluation design.
Accompanying research of a technical research project, which shows the economic and technical potential of the external component activation for the renovation of existing buildings.
Evaluation of the Climate and Energy Model Regions (KEM) - Programme of the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund, which supports regions in the development and implementation of climate protection related measures.
Analysis of the programme design and the programme processes as well as the observed short-term effects of the mission-oriented RTI programme.
The subject of the project is the evaluation of the programme(s) for the promotion of studies for commercial, international technology transfer" (kit4market, kit4market 2.0).
The Austrian Institute for SME Research was part of the consortium (head of: AIT) for the evaluation of the implementation of HORIZON 2020 and ERA in Austria, supplemented by the three European initiatives EUREKA, COSME and EEN.
Evaluation of the implementation of the Action Plan on Public Procurement Promoting Innovation in Austria.
This evaluation focuses on the different facets of impacts of the BRIDGE programme and on the more recent modifications in the programme design during the period 2009 up to 2016.
This evaluation aims to analyse the portfolio of Upper Austria’s funding and support measures provided to companies.
The evaluation of the AWS and FFG promotion agencies essentially addresses the question whether and to what extent ambitions and expectations of the predecessor organisations consolidations, which happened in the context of the structural reforms more than a decade ago, have been achieved.
The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the results and impacts of the participating SMEs within two initiatives of FP7.