The EU and the State of Salzburg are supporting five new research and transfer centres in Salzburg, two of which are based at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences. They were presented for the first time on 11 November 2025.
With around €11 million in funding from the EU and the State of Salzburg, five new research and transfer centres are being established in Salzburg. This initiative aims to drive the development of key technologies in the fields of artificial intelligence, climate protection, health, tourism, and data security. The funding is provided under the EU programme IBW/ERDF – Investment in Employment and Growth, which strengthens regional research capacities and promotes knowledge transfer to industry.
“This is a tremendous success for Salzburg’s researchers and for the implementation of WISS 2030, our science and innovation strategy,” emphasised Daniela Gutschi, Salzburg’s Regional Minister for Research. “With these new centres, we are sending a strong signal for collaboration. Leading research institutions are pooling their expertise, working on solutions to current challenges – and investing in Salzburg’s future.” Walter Haas, Managing Director of Innovation Salzburg, also sees this as a key factor for the region: “Research makes regions strong. It brings new knowledge into the economy, creates innovations, and attracts talent and businesses. These new research centres are true drivers of growth for Salzburg, and we are delighted to have supported them during their development phase.”
In total, five projects have successfully secured EU-level funding. They will be implemented over the next three years and managed by Austria Wirtschaftsservice Gesellschaft mbH (aws). Financing will be provided 80 per cent by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and 20 per cent by the State of Salzburg.
Two New Research and Transfer Centres at Salzburg University of Applied Sciences
Green Engineering – Sustainable Materials and Circular Economy
Salzburg University of Applied Sciences & iSpacePlus GmbH (University of Salzburg)
The Green Engineering Transfer Centre focuses on the development and utilisation of biogenic raw and residual materials – plant-based and organic substances that have often been considered waste until now. The aim is to transform these materials into new, environmentally friendly products using modern biorefinery processes. This creates sustainable alternatives such as bio-based packaging, insulation materials, or adhesives that can replace fossil resources.
In addition, regional material flows – such as wood residues, bark, or agricultural by-products – are analysed to maximise their potential. Using geoinformatics, models and simulations are developed to show where and when raw materials are available and how they can be used efficiently. In this way, the centre provides valuable knowledge for a functioning circular economy in Salzburg, reducing waste, lowering CO₂ emissions, and strengthening regional value creation.
Cybersecurity – Transfer Centre for Data-Based Evaluation of Security and Privacy Technologies
Salzburg University of Applied Sciences & University of Salzburg
The Cybersecurity Centre addresses the question of how artificial intelligence (AI) and data-driven technologies can be made more secure. As AI is increasingly used in areas ranging from industry and medicine to energy supply, new risks and attack vectors are emerging.
One key focus is on so-called “adversarial examples”: deliberately manipulated inputs that can deceive AI systems – for example, a slightly altered image that appears normal to humans but is misclassified by the AI. Such attacks can have critical consequences in extreme cases, such as in automated traffic or power systems.
The centre researches how such attacks can be detected and prevented, for instance through robust training methods or testing procedures for AI systems. The goal is to develop concrete security and privacy measures that help companies deploy reliable and responsible AI applications. This knowledge strengthens digital security and competitiveness in Salzburg and beyond.