NRCT Meets with Austria’s FFG to Expand Research and Innovation Cooperation and Explore a Thailand–Austria Joint Research Funding Mechanism at STS forum 2026
19 October 2026
On 4 October 2026, the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT), under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), led by Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT,, held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Karin Tausz, CEO of the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG), Austria’s leading funding agency for applied research and innovation, during the STS forum 2026 in Kyoto, Japan. The meeting focused on exchanging perspectives on research and innovation support and exploring opportunities to develop more concrete cooperation between Thailand and Austria.
Dr. Wiparat De-ong highlighted NRCT’s role in supporting research and innovation across a wide range of fields, including science, technology, health sciences, and social sciences. NRCT places emphasis on research that can translate knowledge and innovation into practical applications and generate economic and social impact, while also developing young researchers and building international networks with research organizations and funding agencies.
NRCT sees opportunities to develop cooperation with FFG in areas of mutual interest and expertise, including researcher exchanges, research and innovation networking, and exploring the possibility of establishing a joint research funding mechanism. Such a mechanism could enable Thai and Austrian researchers to jointly develop research projects addressing shared challenges and support long-term cooperation between the two countries.
Ms. Karin Tausz highlighted FFG’s role as Austria’s central agency for promoting applied research, technology development, and innovation, with a focus on future-oriented technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), microelectronics, robotics, advanced materials, quantum technologies, life sciences, and space technologies. FFG also supports start-ups and spin-offs in advancing research and technologies toward commercialization and market entry.
FFG expressed interest in expanding international cooperation and identified Thailand as a potential partner in research and innovation, particularly in life sciences, quantum technologies, and space technologies. The discussion also explored opportunities to connect the start-up and spin-off ecosystems of the two countries, alongside researcher exchanges, joint project development, and further discussions on possible models for joint research funding.
The meeting marked an important step toward connecting the research and innovation funding ecosystems of Thailand and Austria. Cooperation in strategic areas of mutual interest could bring together researchers, research institutions, the private sector, and innovation ecosystems from both countries, supporting the development of joint research projects, technologies, and innovations with practical applications while laying the groundwork for stronger Thailand–Austria research and innovation cooperation.
