Vienna - City of Science and Research: Present and Past

Vienna's distinction as a place for scientific research and innovation goes back many centuries. But it was particularly at the turn of the 19th to the 20th century that the city was considered one of the world's capitals in many fields of science and research. Today, the Vienna University is the biggest university in the German speaking area while the city's geographical location makes it a particularly important hub connecting Central and Western Europe.

Investing in the future through science and research

The City of Vienna deliberately invests in "future sciences" such as life sciences, information and communication technologies or creative industries. The region's competitiveness is increasingly determined by these scientific disciplines. Through the Vienna Research, Technology and Innovation Strategy the city implements a comprehensive programme with the objective of turning Vienna into one of the world’s top research locations. Tailor-made allocation of subsidies is ensured by a number of institutions, among the Vienna Business Agency (Wirtschaftsagentur Wien). From 1998 to 2008 the city invested approximately EUR 400 million in research and technology projects and created high-tech centres such as Media Quarter Marx, Campus Vienna Biocenter or Tech Gate Vienna. The fact that the City of Vienna promotes such high quality research benefits all people living and working in Vienna as it translates into economic growth, well paid top jobs and the highest quality of life.

Great minds and great ideas

The attachment provides a historical overview of scientific milestones established in Vienna particularly in the interwar period. For obvious reasons it will not concentrate on those whose work was based in Vienna but also reach out to the countries of the former monarchy and the 19th century pioneers. Read about the men and women whose scientific achievements have a lasting effect until this day and will continue to do so in future.

Further information

Science and Research in Vienna: 70 KB PDF