Austrian Young Academy

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Austrian Young Academy The Austrian Young Academy is an interdisciplinary learned society established in Vienna in 2007 to support early- to mid-career researchers and scholars. It functions as a network bridging institutions such as the University of Vienna, Austrian Academy of Sciences, University of Innsbruck, Graz University of Technology, and international partners like the Max Planck Society, European Commission, ERC, and Horizon 2020. The Academy promotes research, public engagement, and policy advice through collaborative projects drawing on expertise from fields represented at institutions including Medical University of Vienna, University of Graz, Johannes Kepler University Linz, University of Salzburg, and University of Klagenfurt.

History

The Academy was founded in the context of European initiatives modeled on the Young Academy of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities's young academy concept, and the Leopoldina's youth networks. Early support came from the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (Austria), and universities such as TU Wien and Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. Founding activities included collaborations with organizations like the Austrian Science Fund, exchanges with the Royal Society and members of the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, and participation in European forums including the European Young Academies (EYA) and the Global Young Academy. Over successive cohorts, links deepened with national bodies such as the Parliament of Austria, the Vienna Philharmonic cultural sector, and regional research infrastructures like the Austrian Institute of Technology.

The Academy's mission emphasizes interdisciplinary research, science communication, and evidence-based policy engagement, aligning with comparative bodies including the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Academia Europaea. Objectives include fostering networks across institutions such as the Medical University of Graz, the University of Leoben, and the Montanuniversität Leoben, promoting open science in line with initiatives from the European Research Council and the OpenAIRE project, and advising stakeholders including the Austrian Parliament and municipal authorities like the City of Vienna. The Academy seeks to amplify voices from sectors represented by members affiliated with the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, and cultural institutions such as the Austrian National Library.

Membership is limited to a fixed number of scholars selected for excellence from institutions including the University of Vienna, Graz University of Technology, University of Innsbruck, Medical University of Vienna, and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Candidates are evaluated on criteria similar to processes at the Royal Society, the National Academy of Sciences (United States), and the Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, with nominations often coming from faculties at the University of Salzburg, University of Klagenfurt, Johannes Kepler University Linz, and the Vienna University of Economics and Business. Selection panels have included reviewers with affiliations to the Max Planck Society, the European Commission, the Wellcome Trust, and the Austrian Science Fund.

The Academy organizes interdisciplinary research groups, public lectures, policy papers, and outreach programs in partnership with bodies such as the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the European Young Academies, and municipal partners like the Municipality of Graz. Programs have included workshops co-sponsored by the Austrian Science Fund, collaborative seminars with the Max Planck Institute for Human Development, and public engagement events at venues such as the Albertina and the House of Austrian History. The Academy publishes white papers and position statements for policymakers in forums including the Austrian Parliament and contributes to European initiatives like Horizon Europe. It also fosters international exchange through liaison with the Global Young Academy, the Royal Society, and national academies such as the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic.

Governance is typically via elected co-directors and advisory boards with ties to institutions including the Austrian Academy of Sciences, the University of Vienna, and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Funding sources include grants from the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (Austria), project funding from the Austrian Science Fund, support from universities such as TU Wien and Graz University of Technology, and European grants from the European Commission and the ERC. Partnerships have involved non-governmental organizations and foundations like the Erste Foundation and philanthropic bodies similar to the Wellcome Trust for specific initiatives.

Alumni and members have held positions at major institutions including the University of Vienna, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, Medical University of Vienna, Graz University of Technology, Johannes Kepler University Linz, University of Innsbruck, and the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Members have participated in collaborative networks with international counterparts such as the Max Planck Society, the Royal Society, the Academia Europaea, and the Global Young Academy. Former members have gone on to roles in national institutions like the Austrian Parliament, the Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (Austria), the Austrian National Bank, and cultural bodies such as the Austrian National Library and the Vienna State Opera.