Future Mobility - the research funding programme for mobility and transport (2012-2021)

In an age of growing demand for mobility, dwindling resources and limited capacity, we must develop new transport solutions through research, technology and innovation. To achieve this goal, the expired research funding programme Future Mobility (2012-2021) focused on the search for integrated solutions designed to help building the mobility system of the future – a system that must balance social, environmental and economic needs. This integrated approach helped to create systems that contribute significantly to ensuring mobility while minimizing the negative impacts of transport. The complex interactions inherent in transport systems require interdisciplinary research approaches aimed at developing both technological and social-organizational innovations. Thus the programme focused on new markets, generating solutions that respond closely to the essential needs of society. After the expiration of Future Mobility, the goals of research funding in the field of mobility and transport are further pursued with the novel RTI Mobility Strategy.

Programme Objectives and Thematic Fields

The mission-oriented programme Future Mobility addressed strategic challenges in the areas of society, environment and economy by focusing on six topics. The programme supported system-oriented innovation in the fields of passenger and goods transport based on user needs. Complementing these user-oriented topics, the programme also supported technical innovation in the fields of transport infrastructure and vehicle technology. Automated driving on the one hand and Decarbonisation, Automation and Digitalisation of the Railway System on the other hand were added as cross-cutting fields in 2015 and 2018 respectively. This interplay of topics encouraged the development of synergistic solutions designed to address today's mobility challenges and helped to create a sustainable future-oriented framework for mobility research.

Program Details

  • Duration: 2012-2021
  • Annual Budget: 13 - 19 Million Euro
  • Beneficiaries: Universities and non-university research groups, companies, NGOs, public agencies including transport providers.
  • Coverage: Austria (primarily), international participation possible
  • Measures: Biannual calls for proposals with thematic focus (competitive process), network building activities, dissemination and support for bringing products to market.
  • Eligible Projects: Collaborative and strategic research with application-oriented focus.

Contact Information

Program Responsibility:

Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology
Unit for Mobility and Transport Technologies
Radetzkystraße 2, 1030 Vienna
email: i4@bmk.gv.at

Program Management:

Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG)
Thematic Programmes
Sensengasse 1, 1090 Vienna
email: christian.pecharda@ffg.at