Die strategische Neuausrichtung der Forschung an der FH Salzburg im Rahmen eines gesamthochschulischen Organisationsentwicklungsprozesses

Since 2020, Salzburg University of Applied Sciences (UAS) has reorganised both its governance and its organisational structure. There are now six departments with research specialisations, which in turn are active in three fields of activity with varying degrees of intensity. In 2023, the state of Salzburg became the third owner alongside the Salzburg Chamber of Labour (AKS) and the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce (WKS). With this entry, a research fund was to be set up to support the restructured research at the UAS. This article examines the strategic processes and participatory formats that affect both the FHS-wide organisational development and the process of allocating and monitoring research funds, as well as the considerations that led to certain decisions. The old and new structures are contrasted and the mechanisms of target review, evaluation and governance are explained. Challenges in the implementation and limitations of the new orientation are then discussed. In this context, some basic considerations on the financing of research at universities of applied sciences are made, with a special focus on the principles of strategic financial support from own funds or funds of the UAS sponsoring institutions.