Five million euros for research in Vorarlberg

"An important milestone for Vorarlberg and a clear signal for the relevance of the regional university and the upstream research institutions," emphasized State Councillor for Economic Affairs Marco Tittler and State Councillor for Education Barbara Schöbi-Fink at a press conference.

"We want to take targeted measures to ensure that our state remains an attractive location for research institutions," explained State Councillor Schöbi-Fink. Provincial Councillor Tittler also points out the great importance of research and training for Vorarlberg as a business location: "Through the targeted promotion of key technologies, the creation of innovation networks and the support of start-ups and SMEs, we are strengthening the regional innovative power and thus our province as an attractive science and business location".

Social, demographic, digital and ecological transformation processes as well as increasing international competition are continuously increasing the pressure on Business and Management to innovate. Universities, universities of applied sciences and non-university research institutions play a key role in driving innovation. In their function as transfer centers, they provide companies with new knowledge, which is then further processed by companies into new products, processes and services. This creates employment and growth. The European Union's IBW/EFRE program aims to invest in employment and growth.

In order to use these funds provided by the European Union in Vorarlberg in accordance with their intended purpose, a funding program for the establishment and expansion of transfer centers was designed. Four large Vorarlberg projects with a total volume of around 5 million euros over three years have now been approved as part of the tender. "An important step towards strengthening our business location for research, innovation and skilled workers in the long term and increasing the resilience of our region," says Provincial Councillor Marco Tittler.

Markus Preißinger, Head of Research and Authorized Signatory at the FHV, emphasizes: "The topics of our transfer centers are technologically demanding and forward-looking: Data Science and Data Security, Circular Economy and Photonics. Thanks to the support of the IBW/EFRE program, we can further expand our structures at Campus V in these future-oriented topics and implement projects at the interface between FHV, v-research and Digital Factory Vorarlberg that would otherwise not be feasible. The cooperation with Salzburg Research will also strengthen us in the long term." 

Four transfer centers for Vorarlberg

These four transfer centers for the long-term development of research capacities were approved:

• Transfer center for cross-company data organization and data usage at Digital Factory Vorarlberg GmbH
  
  The project focuses on the development and practical adaptation of modern methods for cross-company data usage. This includes data organization, data-driven modelling and optimization, data analysis while preserving privacy, the use of distributed data sets as well as the explainability and robustness of the results. As part of the transfer concept, demonstrators are provided and open source implementations, publications, events and services are planned. "Real added value from data can only be created with a clean database and clear processes. With the transfer center for cross-company data organization and data use, the Digital Factory Vorarlberg and the FHV support companies and organizations in the Lake Constance region in using data in a structured way and thus strengthening their competitiveness in the long term," explains Robert Merz, CEO Digital Factory Vorarlberg GmbH and project manager of the transfer center for cross-company data organization and data use.
  
  Find all information about the project here.
  
  
  
• Transfer Center for Applied Photonics | FHV - Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
  
  The Transfer Center bundles existing photonics expertise at Campus V for applications in the fields of quantum technology, life science, environmental sensor technology and telecommunications. A modular photonics kit is being developed to enable the customized technology transfer of photonic systems. Users can simply use the building blocks and combine them as required without having to design or understand the physical details themselves. "The Transfer Center for Applied Photonics bundles the regional and decades-long expertise of the partners FHV and V-Research (Campus V) as a central Vorarlberg contact point. The aim is to transfer practical research results in environmental sensor technology, life sciences, quantum technologies and telecommunications into practice more quickly, to strengthen the innovative power of the local Business and Management and to position Vorarlberg as a powerful partner in European photonics research," explains Fadi Dohnal, Head of the FHV's Microtechnology Research Center and Project Manager of the Transfer Center for Applied Photonics.
  
  Find more information about the Transfer Center for Applied Photonics here. 
  
  
  
• Transfer Center for Circular Economy | Research Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics, University of Innsbruck
  
  The aim of the Transfer Center is the development and barrier-free dissemination of knowledge and concepts for a sustainable, holistic circular economy in relevant sectors as well as in administration, education and the public. The focus is on the recovery and reuse of textile waste to regenerate new textile fibers and on the development of innovative business models for a sustainable circular economy. "A sustainable circular economy for textiles can only be achieved if all players along the value chain work together. This means that both technical and socio-economic considerations and solutions are taken into account. The transfer center focuses primarily on the recovery and reuse of fiber polymers, sustainable business models and customer acceptance," explains Tung Pham, Head of the Research Institute for Textile Chemistry and Textile Physics, University of Innsbruck and project manager of the Transfer Center for Circular Economy.
  
  Find more information about the Transfer Center for Circular Economy here.
  
  
  
• Transfer Center for Privacy Engineering | FHV - Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences
  
  The Transfer Center aims to build research expertise in methods, processes, algorithms and systems to gain insights from personal, sensitive data. This expertise will be applied as an example in the development of scientifically, ethically and legally tested digital health and business analytics applications. The aim is to develop transfer skills that will enable the region to benefit from specialist knowledge and technological expertise in the long term. "Trustworthy AI is not an obstacle, but a clear locational advantage for Europe. With our newly founded Transfer Center for Privacy Engineering, we are showing companies how data protection and AI innovation can be combined to create sustainable competitive advantages," adds Guido Kempter, Head of the Human-Centred Technologies Research Center at the FHV and project manager of the Transfer Center for Privacy Engineering.
  
  Find more information about the Transfer Center for Circular Economy here.