ICT25 / Call Specifications

This section contains information on the process, criteria, and instrument of this call. It is intended for applicants wishing to submit a proposal in the ICT25 call. 

ICT25 / Scope of the call

This call seeks to enable cutting-edge projects that improve the understanding of fundamental research questions in ICT, thus enhancing the international visibility of Vienna’s innovative ICT research landscape, 

This call is open to researchers from all areas of ICT. Projects should address fundamental, hypothesis-driven research questions, develop and apply cutting-edge methodology, and present a clearly defined research plan. Project topics may range from theoretical computer science to the intersection of ICT with other domains (e.g. health, energy, industry, transport, finance and other societal issues). Proposals should focus on advancing basic knowledge in ICT while laying the foundations for future high-impact applications. Projects may be focused within a single discipline or be interdisciplinary in nature.

ICT25 / Submission

To submit a proposal in this call, please go to the WWTF Funding Portal.

Important information for your submission

Proposal deadline: February 11th, 2025, 2pm CET

Details on the submission process can be found in this section.

ICT25 / Eligibility of applicants and roles in the project

The general eligibility of applicants is specified in the WWTF Funding Guideline (in German only).

A project’s core team may include up to three Principal Investigators (PIs). This includes a PI&C and up to two co-PIs. 

One PI must be designated as PI&C.

Up to two co-PIs may also be named in the core team.

Additional project partners and collaborators are permitted in the research team. They can be added by name in the full proposal stage.

Research partners outside Vienna:

ICT25 / Joint Projects with partners in Lower Austria

WWTF welcomes Joint Project (JP) applications between Viennese and Lower Austrian universities and research institutions in this call. The aims of this initiative are to promote research cooperation between Lower Austria and Vienna on equal terms and to strengthen cooperation of research institutions in the Vienna region.

A conversion between JPs and regular WWTF projects is not possible between the short and full proposal phases.

ICT25 / Content and structure of the proposal

The content and structure of the proposal are defined and specified in the submission guideline. Please register and create a proposal to learn more about the details via our Funding Portal. An overview of the main parts of the short and full proposal is provided below:

Short Proposal

Full proposal

Abstract (EN)

Lay summary and scientific abstract

Project description (about 4-5 pages): outline of the main scientific research idea and approach

Project description (about 12-15 pages): elaboration on the research idea and approach (upload of PDF, template with structure is provided)

Project core team: with CVs and publications lists (upload of PDF, template with structure is provided)

Project team and further collaboration partners: with CVs and publications lists for the core team members (upload of PDF, template with structure is provided)

Budget overview

Detailed budget

Signatures: required from the researchers and the institutions of the core team members

Signatures: required from the researchers and all participating institutes

Please note that the short proposal is intended for a jury panel with expertise covering a range of proposals, while the full proposal is primarily aimed at experts in the specific topics of the proposal.

ICT25 / Evaluation criteria

The following criteria are used in the evaluation.

The key criteria in the evaluation of proposals are scientific excellence. In detail, this means:

Further criteria:

Other aspects:

ICT25 / Eligible costs

All costs that are directly attributable to the project and are regarded as commonly required in the respective scientific field are eligible for funding. Please also consider your organization’s internal guidelines for eligible expenses/costs.

Personnel costs

WWTF is dedicated to funding researchers. Hence, the larger share of the project’s budget should be allocated to personnel costs for researchers working on the project.

Non-personnel costs

Running costs for basic infrastructure (telephone costs, rents) as well as costs for the acquisition of infrastructure and basic equipment are not eligible for funding, as these should be covered by the category “overhead costs”. Non-personnel should not exceed 25% of the overall budget.

Indirect costs (overheads)

 WWTF pays a maximum of 20% overhead. Overhead is calculated as a percentage of the direct costs of the project (i.e., personnel + non-personnel costs). Please note that WWTF offers the maximum 20% overhead lump sum to compensate for all administration costs. This means that flat fees for payroll or project accounting are not eligible. The total funding volume is calculated as direct plus indirect costs.

Applicants are required to comply with the overhead regulations of the involved institutions.

ICT25 / Gender aspects in the application phase

WWTF’s Gender Strategy and Gender Equality Plan must be considered throughout the application. Please note that WWTF requests jury members and reviewers to take into account both gender and specific roles in research team composition, as well as gender in research content during evaluation processes.

The following questions should be considered during development of the proposal:

Equal opportunities in research

Gender in research content and in the research ideas phase

Proposal phase

Research phase


Further resources

ICT25 / Guidelines for good scientific practice and ethics

Compliance with the rules for good scientific practice, including the observance of ethical aspects in research, is mandatory. This pertains to the application process and, in case of funding, the research work.

Project proposals may include ethical aspects that require the approval from an ethics committee/institutional review board.

ICT25 / Open Science

WWTF requires compliance with its Open Science Policy. This document outlines the rights, roles and responsibilities of WWTF, researchers, and research organizations.

ICT25 / Use of generative AI in the application process

WWTF recognizes that the use of genAI tools is pervasive and can facilitate proposal writing, for example in relation to improving written language. However, substantial use of genAI must be declared as such for the sake of transparency. 

“Substantial use” is defined in line with the European Commission’s definition: “[…] using generative AI as a basic author support tool is not a substantial use. However, interpreting data analysis, carrying out a literature review, identifying research gaps, formulating research aims, developing hypotheses, etc. could have a substantial impact.” (EC 2024: Living Guidelines on the responsible use of generative AI in research.)  

This mainly concerns critical parts of scientific relevance, such as hypothesis formulation and the scientific project plan. Applicants will be required to provide statements on the use of generative AIs at both the short and full proposal stages. WWTF emphasizes the importance of human responsibility for the content submitted at all stages of the application process. 

For your information, WWTF does not allow the use of genAI in the evaluation process.

ICT25 / Selection and decision process

Applications must be submitted via the online Funding Portal in the specified timeframes. Submissions after the deadline will not be considered.

The core element of WWTF’s decision-making processes is an international jury mandated to make a funding recommendation to the WWTF boards. 

Formal eligibility check by WWTF

WWTF office will conduct a formal eligibility check of the proposal based on the criteria outlined in the WWTF Funding Guideline, and this document. This includes:

Substantial deficiencies and missing sections in the application will lead to the exclusion of the application from further evaluation and rejection on formal grounds. The strict timeline of the call does not allow for proposals to be sent back to the applicants for amendments.

Evaluation of short proposals

Evaluation of full proposals

Eligible full proposals will undergo a review process. 

Applicants will have the opportunity to respond in writing to the external reviews.

Full Proposal Jury meeting

The jury will convene about 3-4 months after the submission deadline of the full proposals to select full proposals to recommend for funding. The jury may be extended by additional members in case supplementary expertise is needed to cover the topics of the proposals. At least two jury members are assigned to each proposal and act as rapporteurs for the proposals.

Formal funding decision

The jury recommendation will be formally confirmed first by the WWTF Advisory Board and then approved by the WWTF Board of Directors.

ICT25 / Funding contract

In case of funding, WWTF office will contact the PI&C to draw up the funding contract. 

ICT25 / Community Building

WWTF is highly committed to supporting the growing ICT community in Vienna. To this end, several community building activities will be offered throughout the funding cycle. Funded teams will be invited to participate in these activities to foster collaborations between and beyond WWTF funded projects. 

ICT25 / Monitoring and reporting

Funded teams commit themselves to delivering reports and participating in evaluation and monitoring. WWTF offers the possibility to adapt the work plan according to project needs. For details, see the Reporting and Accounting Guideline.