On 19 February 2026, the third edition of the Think Beyond Summit brought together leading minds from science, policy, and industry at Erste Campus in Vienna. Under the central theme “The Power of Cooperation”, the event highlighted how Austria’s Excellence Clusters are shaping the future of cutting-edge research through collaboration.
Organized by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the summit once again created a space where national and international stakeholders discussed how cooperative models in basic research can generate innovation, strengthen knowledge transfer, and enhance Austria’s research ecosystem.
Opening note
The summit was officially opened by:
- Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research
- Christof Gattringer, President of the FWF
- Ursula Jakubek, Vice President of the FWF
The discussion was expertly moderated by Birgit Dalheimer, science editor at ORF Radio Ö1.
In their opening remarks, the speakers emphasized that cooperation is not only a strategic tool but a defining principle of modern excellence research. By pooling expertise across institutions, disciplines, and sectors, researchers can address complex global challenges more effectively and sustainably.
Cooperation as a Strength
The first session focused on keynote statements and discussion under the title “Cooperation as a Strength.” Leading experts explored how collaboration functions within large-scale research networks and what makes Excellence Clusters successful.
Impulses were delivered by:
- Axel A. Brakhage, Vice President of the German Research Foundation and Founding Speaker of the DFG Excellence Cluster “Balance of the Microverse”
- Dorothea Ringe, Director Entrepreneurship, Joachim Herz Foundation
- Christof Gattringer, President of the FWF
The speakers addressed key questions:
- How can cooperation in excellence research be successfully implemented?
- What structural and cultural factors foster long-term success?
- How can synergies between research, business, and society be leveraged to accelerate innovation and knowledge transfer?
The panel discussion that followed highlighted both the opportunities and challenges of cooperative research, from aligning diverse institutional interests to ensuring sustainable funding structures and effective communication across disciplines.
Expedition into the Future: Austria’s Excellence Clusters on Stage
The second part of the program presented Austria’s nine Excellence Clusters, the country’s largest research networks. These clusters are advancing cooperative basic research in key areas such as:
- Energy storage
- Quantum technologies
- Global health
- The future of knowledge
- Brain research
- Eurasian cultural heritage
- Microbiome research
- Healthy aging
- Artificial intelligence
- Materials science
Through short statements and insights, cluster representatives shared early findings and reflected on how collaborative frameworks are accelerating scientific breakthroughs.
A special highlight was the invitation of Roland Ludwig, Director of the Circular Bioengineering Cluster of Excellence, to the stage.
Dr. Ludwig spoke about the practical realities of collaboration in large research networks, what enables it to succeed, how to build trust across disciplines, and which structural challenges must be addressed. He emphasized that true cooperation requires not only shared goals, but also openness, transparency, and a long-term commitment to mutual learning.
True to its mission, the Think Beyond Summit once again demonstrated that excellence in research is not achieved in isolation. It emerges from cooperation, across disciplines, institutions, and societal sectors.
For more information about the Clusters of Excellence, you can watch the video below:
The Cluster of Circular Bioengineering is proud to be part of this vibrant community of changemakers. Through strong partnerships, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence, we contribute to shaping a more sustainable, innovative, and resilient future for Austria and beyond.
More info about the Think Beyond Summit is available in the FWF Austrian Science Fund Website.
Photo credits: © FWF / Klaus Ranger.