The Austrian Academy of Sciences represents a learned society as well as the leading organisation promoting non-university open source basic research in Austria. The Academy gives new impetus by taking up new, forward-looking research areas. Scientific quality, innovation potential and sustainability are the main criteria for the Academy's research profile.

Currently the academy is promoting about 64 research institutions, including three limited liability companies, at ten places in Austria. The Academy counts more than 1300 employees in research and administration. The promotion of highly qualified (young) researchers with grants and awards is a further important task of the Academy.