Three buildings with space for 30 research groups by 2028. The goal is 150 groups by 2036. Strengthening Austria as a science and business location.
Klosterneuburg (OTS) – The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Klosterneuburg is growing. The campus will also be further expanded for this purpose. The construction plans for the institute’s “Master Plan 2036” were presented on Tuesday by Federal Minister Martin Polaschek, State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Deputy State Governor Stephan Pernkopf and ISTA President Martin Hetzer. The next three buildings for the researchers are scheduled to be completed by 2028. Before that, a new kindergarten will be built on the site, for which the groundbreaking ceremony will take place tomorrow.
At the ISTA in Klosterneuburg, around 80 research groups are currently conducting research in the natural sciences, mathematics and computer science. Over 1,200 researchers and employees from 78 countries are involved. By 2036, the institute, with around 150 research groups and over 2,000 people, is expected to have reached the critical size to establish itself permanently in the world class of international basic research. This growth also requires new buildings and infrastructure. The concrete plans for this – the so-called Master Plan 2036 – have now been presented.
3 new buildings for world-class research by 2028 – 5 more by 2034
The first construction phase of the master plan consists primarily of three buildings, which will include laboratories and offices for research groups and administration, but also an additional cafeteria and a learning center. The new buildings cover over 25,000 m2 of usable space and will offer space for around 30 research groups as well as other shared laboratories. Completion is scheduled for 2028. In two further construction phases, two more buildings (25,000 m2) will be built by 2031 and another three buildings (10,000 m2) by 2034. All buildings in these three construction phases will extend along a new campus plaza in the northern part of the site.
Information and visits
The institute always provides current information about the buildings on its own website at: https://ista.ac.at/de/campus/bauprojekte/ . Those interested have the opportunity to get to know the existing campus and the institute in person, for example on May 24th. to Long night of research or on June 9th. for the ISTA Open Campus.
Groundbreaking ceremony for new campus kindergarten tomorrow
The new buildings also include a new kindergarten on the ISTA campus, with space for twice as many groups of children as before. The groundbreaking ceremony for the building with a spacious outdoor area of 2300m2 will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, at 1:00 p.m. by Federal Minister Martin Polaschek, Deputy Governor Stephan Pernkopf, ISTA President Martin Hetzer and Deputy Managing Director Barbara Abraham.
Press conference quotes
At a press conference in St. Pölten, the speakers emphasized, among other things, the importance of expanding the ISTA Campus for Austria as a location.
Martin Hetzer, President of ISTA: “As we speak, my colleagues at ISTA are conducting research in over 80 research groups. And there are more and more: At ISTA we welcome between five and eight new, excellent assistant professors every year. For example, the areas of computer science, chemistry, physics, life sciences and astrophysics are currently growing. With the declared goal of 150 research groups by 2036, we will then reach the critical size to be able to play permanently in the top league of basic research worldwide – and thus also strengthen Austria as a location and make it fit for the future. Both society and the economy grow particularly well in an environment of excellent science
.“
Federal Minister Martin Polaschek: “The ISTA is synonymous with scientific excellence and cutting-edge research of global importance. It plays a key role in training brilliant minds and bringing the world’s best researchers to Austria so that our country continues to occupy a leading position in the field of science and research in international competition. Through further expansion, we will sustainably strengthen this position and at the same time support important ISTA initiatives in the area of science communication. As a federal government, we are investing around 2.5 billion euros for the third expansion phase. In doing so, we are taking another important step for the future of our science and research location and building a strong bridge between science and society
.“
State Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner: “Since its inception, ISTA has developed into a world-class basic research institute and continues to grow. With the third expansion stage, we will invest 3.28 billion euros together with the federal government by 2036, creating space for a total of 150 research groups. With the new part of the ISTA Campus, we are creating a vibrant center of research and taking the next big step in our ‘Nobel Prize Mission’, because in the next two decades we want to bring a Nobel Prize to Lower Austria and we are now creating the best possible framework for this
.”
Deputy State Governor Stephan Pernkopf: “Cutting-edge research is at home in Lower Austria! Therefore, the further expansion of the ISTA is not only particularly pleasing, but also visionary for the future. Of course, we cannot be world leaders in all research fields, so it is important to define lighthouses, set priorities and provide the best framework conditions and an inspiring atmosphere for research excellence. This includes laboratory buildings as well as the new kindergarten, which we will start tomorrow. We must be aware that we are in global competition for the brightest minds and the most modern technology. That’s why we invest together and want to be a magnet for top researchers from all over the world. The ISTA is an absolute beacon that shines worldwide
.“
Further images and video material for editorial reporting.
Questions & Contact:
Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
Andreas Rothe, PR & Communications Management
andreas.rothe@ista.ac.at
+43 664 8832 6510