The 2026 Research Forum of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences

Austria’s universities of applied sciences stand for practice-oriented, transfer-focused research. The emphasis is on immediately applicable results with social and economic benefit. The Research Forum of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences (FFH 2026) brings together exemplary projects and research that illustrate how applied research can act as a driver of innovation, prototypical developments, and sustainable solutions.

At the 19th Research Forum (FFH 2026) on 15 and 16 April at FH CAMPUS 02, around 300 participants from 17 universities of applied sciences across Austria were represented. Each day began with a compelling, if somewhat sobering, analysis of global developments. Dr. Christoph Schneider (Economica Institute for Economic Research) and Dr. Friedrich Dornbusch (Fraunhofer Institute ISI) highlighted Europe’s lag in the global economy from multiple angles.

Following the opening, around 140 research projects from a wide range of fields presented their work. The cross-thematic and interdisciplinary exchange between researchers proved to be a particular highlight of the conference — an aspect that often receives too little attention at specialist conferences.

FH JOANNEUM was prominently represented. The Department of Computer Science was present with several projects: the RADIUS project was showcased at the poster session. Project leader Helmut Lindner, Natalia Trudova, and Nadia Pertl presented the key objectives, initial project results, and next steps to an interested audience on both days. On 15 April, project leader Helmut Lindner and Sabine Proßnegg presented the publication AI Fails, written within the framework of the RADIUS project by Johannes Feiner, Sabine Proßnegg, Harald Schwab, and Helmut Lindner: Feiner et al. Fast Track to AI Failure, FFH 2026. More on the FFG-funded RADIUS project at: RADIUS: Comprehensive AI Research – FH JOANNEUM.

On 16 April, Joachim Schauer presented the Josef Ressel Centre and its research focus on time-series-based error prediction and prevention as part of the Cutting Edge Innovation Projects session in the Europa Hall of the WKO. This research will be implemented directly in collaboration with major industrial companies in the region. More on the project at: Josef Ressel Centre for Time-Series-Based Error Prediction and Prevention.

Overall, the conference was excellently organised. Moving between the WKO and CAMPUS 02 venues made for a pleasantly varied experience. The programme was engaging, diverse, and consistently interesting throughout. The next Research Forum of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences will take place in April 2027 in Vienna.