WWTF Data | Research (DARE) Call 2025

"Applications" should be understood widely as, e.g., transferable use cases, software prototypes, modelling, information/data models (metadata, schema definitions and ontologies), data environments.
"Executable" means that the applications developed should be easily integrated into code or software environments in due course. They should be transferable and scalable. 

Projects should provide applications delivering useful services to research, either by rendering existing data processes more efficient or by providing tools that allow for new approaches. The outcomes of the projects shall support data collection for research and the further use of research data, however, should not be tied to a specific research project but be of wider relevance also supporting interoperability.

Projects can tackle research data related challenges in any scientific area, i.e., are not limited to computer science. However, the nature of the projects requires the integration of IT competences into the projects.

Who can apply?

• Core teams with up to three key collaborators with a coordinating PI assuming also managerial tasks.
• The coordinating PI must be based at a university or non-university research institution in Vienna and can be either a person with scientific or technical background.
• Co-PIs may be based outside of Vienna (funding limited to 20% of the overall budget).
• A maximum of three different institutions may be involved in the proposal. This includes the institutions of the PI&C and co-PI(s).
• All applications must be pre-screened and authorized by the PI's institutions, otherwise, submission of proposals to this call is not possible.

Funding

• Project duration: 12-24 months
• Budget for individual projects: € 50,000 - 100,000
• Overall call volume: € 800,000
• Personnel and non-personnel costs can be claimed; max. 30% non-personnel costs
• In-kind contributions are not mandatory; no overhead costs will be paid

Timeline

• Internal deadline for pre-selection at BOKU: October 6, 2025
• Proposal deadline: November 18, 2025, 2pm CET.
• Expected funding decision: January 2026
• Project start until: July 1, 2026

Evaluation and decision process

• Pre-selection by institutions
• Application via WWTF Funding Portal
• One-stage call process
• Selection by a jury composed of international and national experts

Contact

• Michael Strassnig | michael.strassnig(at)wwtf.at | Tel.: +43 1 402 31 43 15
• Petra Steinkogler | petra.steinkogler(at)wwtf.at | Tel.: +43 1 402 31 43 14

Additional information: https://wiki.wwtf.at/books/data-research-dare-applications-for-research-call-2025

Internal pre-selection

As only a limited number of applications can be submitted, only those that best suit the call criteria will be selected for submission.

Applications must be submitted by the end of the day on October 6 to projektsupport(at)boku.ac.at.

An application consists of the following documents:

1. An expression of interest from the prospective Principal Investigator (PI), that explains how their project idea aligns with the call criteria and confirms that the core team members (PI&C, co-PIs) are not involved in more than two proposals in this call.
2. A project description based on the WWTF proposal structure (basic information, core team, partner institutions, work program,…)
3. CVs of the core team members.
4. A cost calculation including the planned duration, the classification of the intended employees, and the personnel cost rates used.
   Please note: only 3,5% valorisation may be included, no overhead is provided and no inkind required.
5. The Email adress of the PI to which the user account in the WWTF Funding Portal is linked
   → BOKU must send the email addresses of those authorized to submit to WWTF so a proposal can be created.