The projects will be implemented over three years \u2013 80% of the funding comes from the IBW\/ERDF & JTF* program, and the remaining 20% from the Province of Salzburg. \u201cThis is a great success for Salzburg\u2019s researchers and for the implementation of WISS 2030, our science and innovation strategy,\u201d emphasized State Councillor for Research Daniela Gutschi on November 11, 2025, during the presentation of the centers.<\/p>\n
Walter Haas, Managing Director of Innovation Salzburg, also welcomed the success: \u201cResearch strengthens regions. It brings new knowledge into the economy, creates innovations, and attracts talent and companies. These new research centers are real drivers of Salzburg\u2019s development, and we are very proud to have supported them during their formation.\u201d<\/p>\n
The following topics were selected at the EU level:<\/p>\n
Full name: AI-Based mOlecular mechanism Of musculo-Skeletal regeneration<\/em> The transfer center AI-BOOST explores how artificial intelligence can help to better understand and promote the healing processes of bones, tendons, and cartilage. Injuries to the musculoskeletal system \u2013 such as Achilles tendon tears or age-related wear \u2013 are among the most common and persistent health issues.<\/p>\n The research team combines cutting-edge cell and tissue research with AI-supported data analysis to uncover how damaged tissue can regenerate. Using large-scale single-cell analyses, molecular processes are identified and translated into computer models for regeneration.<\/p>\n The goal is to develop new therapeutic approaches in regenerative medicine, such as so-called hybrid organoids \u2013 miniature tissues that mimic natural healing processes. In the long term, these insights could help treat difficult-to-heal injuries faster and more effectively.<\/p>\n AI-BOOST represents an innovative interplay between medical research and artificial intelligence, strengthening Salzburg\u2019s international visibility as a life sciences hub.<\/p>\n Partners: Salzburg University of Applied Sciences & iSPACE plus GmbH<\/em><\/p>\n The Green Engineering transfer center focuses on the development and use of biogenic raw and residual materials \u2013 plant-based and organic resources that are often considered waste. The aim is to transform these materials into new, environmentally friendly products using modern biorefinery processes. This includes sustainable alternatives such as bio-based packaging, insulation, or adhesives that can replace fossil-based materials.<\/p>\n In addition, regional material flows \u2013 such as wood residues, bark, or agricultural by-products \u2013 are analyzed to maximize their potential. Using geoinformatics, models and simulations are developed to determine where and when resources are available and how they can be used efficiently. The center provides valuable knowledge for a functioning circular economy in Salzburg \u2013 reducing waste, cutting CO\u2082 emissions, and strengthening regional value creation.<\/p>\n Full name: Smart Tourism Hub: Transfer Center for Data-Based, Sustainable Mobility, Experience & Innovation<\/em> The Smart Tourism Hub develops an intelligent data platform for the tourism of the future. It connects information from various sources \u2013 such as traffic, mobile networks, sensors, weather, or visitor flows \u2013 and makes them available for innovative, data-based applications.<\/p>\n The results are solutions that make tourism more sustainable, safer, and more comfortable: from environmentally friendly travel options to smart on-site mobility and personalized risk analyses for mountain sports. Through artificial intelligence and data analytics, capacities can be managed more efficiently, CO\u2082 emissions reduced, and visitor experiences enhanced.<\/p>\n This strengthens Salzburg\u2019s position as one of Europe\u2019s leading tourism regions while driving digital innovation, regional economic power, and sustainable development.<\/p>\n Full name: Cybersecurity \u2013 FTZ for Data-Based Evaluation of Security and Privacy Technologies<\/em> The Cybersecurity FTZ focuses on making artificial intelligence (AI) and data-based technologies more secure. As AI is increasingly used in areas such as industry, medicine, and energy supply, new risks and attack vectors emerge.<\/p>\n One focus lies on so-called \u201cadversarial examples\u201d: intentionally manipulated inputs that can deceive AI systems \u2013 for example, slightly altered images that appear normal to humans but are misinterpreted by AI. Such attacks can have serious consequences, especially in automated transport or energy systems.<\/p>\n The center studies how these attacks can be detected and prevented \u2013 through robust training methods or testing procedures for AI systems. Its goal is to develop concrete security and privacy measures that help companies use AI applications reliably and responsibly, strengthening digital security and competitiveness in Salzburg and beyond.<\/p>\n Partners: FHV \u2013 Vorarlberg University of Applied Sciences & Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft<\/em><\/p>\n The Privacy Engineering transfer center develops technologies that combine data protection and innovation. The goal is to create methods and systems that enable the secure and responsible use of personal and sensitive data \u2013 for example, in healthcare or business analytics.<\/p>\n New approaches are being developed to ensure that data is processed in scientifically, ethically, and legally sound ways. The resulting applications foster trust \u2013 for instance, in digital health solutions or AI-based business processes.<\/p>\n The center demonstrates that trustworthy AI is not a barrier but a competitive advantage for Europe. Companies gain practical know-how on how to integrate data protection into innovation and thereby achieve sustainable competitive benefits.<\/p>\n *Investments in Employment and Growth \/ European Regional Development Fund \/ Just Transition Fund<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Salzburg is investing in research: around eleven million euros from EU and state funds will go toward establishing five new research and transfer centers. They cover key future-oriented topics: artificial intelligence, climate protection, health, tourism, and data security.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21456,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[64,65,66,73,79],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-21471","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-digitalisierung-en","category-forschung-en","category-foerderung-en","category-life-sciences-en","category-kooperationen-en"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21471"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21471\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":21475,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21471\/revisions\/21475"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21456"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.innovation-salzburg.at\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Partners: Paracelsus Medical Private University Salzburg & University of Salzburg<\/em><\/p>\nGreen Engineering \u2013 Sustainable Materials and Circular Economy<\/h3>\n
Smart Tourism Hub \u2013 Digital Innovation for Sustainable Tourism<\/h3>\n
Partners: Salzburg Research Forschungsgesellschaft & iSPACE plus GmbH<\/em><\/p>\nCybersecurity FTZ \u2013 Secure Systems and Reliable AI<\/h3>\n
Partners: Salzburg University of Applied Sciences & University of Salzburg<\/em><\/p>\nPrivacy Engineering \u2013 Data Protection as an Innovation Advantage<\/h3>\n
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