University of Vienna opens centre for advanced research at Hofburg

The University of Vienna has opened its Centre for Advanced Studies (ViCAS) at the Hofburg, aiming to boost international research ties and the university’s visibility, ORF reported.

The centre is based in the Michaelertrakt, a section of the Hofburg whose rooms were already used by the university and have now been repurposed. Rector Sebastian Schütze said the location was chosen in part because it was distinctive and close to the university, the National Library and archives.

The first 19 researchers began nine-month fellowships in early October. The group comprises nine early-career researchers and 10 established scholars from six continents. Their fields include evolutionary biology, sociology, mathematics and history.

The university plans to bring the fellows together with its own researchers through workshops, seminars and lecture series. It hopes conversations across disciplines will lead to future collaborations and joint research applications.

The university did not disclose the centre’s exact costs. It did not need to rent additional space, but said it needed to offer competitive fellowships.