The OeAD advises, supports, and connects people and institutions from education, science, research, and culture through its forward-looking programs. As the agency for education and internationalization of the Republic of Austria, it serves as an interface to educational opportunities for all stages of life—from kindergarten and school to higher education and science, vocational training, and adult education. Through various funding lines, children, young people, and adults are empowered to participate in societal processes as well as in science, art, and culture.
For example, the OeAD coordinates the research funding program "Sparkling Science 2.0." This program supports multi-year citizen science projects in which research and educational institutions collaborate—and, where possible, with partners from business and society—to address current scientific questions and generate new research findings.
The annual "Citizen Science Award" allows school classes, youth groups, families, and individuals to participate in selected projects, contributing to science and having the chance to win prizes.
The OeAD hosts the Center for Citizen Science, which serves as an information, advisory, and service hub for citizen science. Its goal is to anchor the citizen science approach within the scientific and educational landscape and to enable participation in research processes. Additionally, the center offers opportunities for professional networking and knowledge development. For instance, the working group "Citizen Science at/with Schools", which continuously develops resources and training opportunities for researchers and teachers, is led by the OeAD. Across Austria, the OeAD Center also works closely with citizen science and young science contact persons, who act as internal and external interfaces at universities, universities of applied sciences, teacher training colleges, and non-university research institutions.
A particular focus of OeAD’s offerings and programs is the collaboration between science and schools. The OeAD coordinates, among other things, the initiative of science ambassadors, who volunteer to visit schools, kindergartens, and libraries; the Young Science platform for final papers and theses; and the "Students to Universities" initiative. By supporting children’s and youth universities, the OeAD enables participation in scientific activities outside of school hours.
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