WU Xperimental AI Grants
What are WU Xperimental AI grants?
We are delighted to announce the joint call of the Competence Centers for Experimental Research and Applied AI & Scientific Computing for the WU Xperimental AI grants! Following up on the very successful WU Xperiment grants initiated this year by the CC for Experimental Research, the CC for Applied AI & Scientific Computing will fund another round of behavioural experimental research projects – this time, with a focus on AI topics.
WU Xperimental AI grants enable researchers to execute behavioural experimental research on AI-related topics swiftly and effectively. By leveraging this funding, researchers can make the most of WU’s state-of-the-art laboratory resources, driving their experimental research forward.
Let your next experiment begin with WU Xperimental AI grants!
Which projects are eligible for funding?
Use of Funds: The funding (up to €4,000) is exclusively intended for data collection in the field of behavioural experimental research on AI-related topics. This includes, but is not limited to, costs for participant recruitment and compensation, as well as other expenses directly related to data collection for a single experiment.
Eligibility: All researchers with an active employment contract at WU and research included in their job description are eligible to apply. Applications and processing must be carried out within the duration of an active employment contract.
Application Process
Applications and processing are managed through the Competence Center for Applied AI and Scientific Computing. Applicants must submit a detailed project description of 1–2 pages (PDF) that includes the following information (use the template provided below):
Project Overview: A brief presentation of the research project, including the scientific research question and methodology (with a particular focus on the experimental approach).
Relevance to the Field and Career Development: Explanation of how the project contributes to the advancement of the selected field and supports the applicant's career development.
Detailed Description of Data Collection: Description of the planned methods for data collection, including the laboratory resources needed (e.g., eye-tracker, O-tree).
Funding Committee
Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of members of the WU Competence Centers for Applied AI & Scientific Computing and Experimental Research. The committee members are proposed by the CC for Applied AI and Scientific Computing, and approved by the Vice Rectorate for Research and Third Mission.
The committee's primary tasks are to evaluate applications based on scientific quality, methodology, relevance, and costs.
Applications are reviewed using a four-eye principle. To maintain independence, conflicts of interest are disclosed, and affected members are excluded from that part of the review process. Transparency is ensured by publishing the composition of the committee on the WU website.
Evaluation Criteria
The review committee evaluates applications based on the following criteria:
Scientific Quality: Innovation and originality of the research project, clarity of the research question, and methodology.
Methodological Quality: Plausibility and appropriateness of the planned data collection methods, with approval from an ethics board if required.
Costs and Resources: Appropriateness and transparency of the planned costs, as well as efficient use of funds.
Prioritization: Preference is given to projects that prepare for time-sensitive data collection (e.g., studies on current societal and economic phenomena) and to studies conducted and disbursed in 2025.
Payment Modalities
Form and Conditions of Payment: Approved funding is provided either as a one-time payment or as a direct transfer to the experimental participants.
The funds must be used within one year of release. An extension may be requested in writing in justified cases.
Reporting and Evaluation
Financial Report:
Applicants must submit a report on the use of funds within two months of completing the project. The report is reviewed by the Competence Center management and should include the following:
A breakdown of incurred costs.
Proof of all expenses (e.g., invoices, receipts).
A comparison of the budget plan and actual expenditures.
Disclosure of the data storage location (including a link, if possible).
Scientific Report:
Within six months of using the funds, a scientific report (minimum of 5 pages) must be submitted. The report should include:
A description of the conducted data collection and analysis.
A summary of the research findings.
Plans for publishing the research results.
If a working paper or an accepted article is submitted, the scientific report is not required. Publications must acknowledge the funding by referencing the "WU Xperimental AI Grants."
2025 Call for Proposals
Applications will be reviewed by a committee consisting of members of the WU Competence Center for Applied AI and Scientific Computing and the Competence Center for Experimental Research.
Awards are subject to the conditions listed above.
Send your proposal to cc-aaisc@wu.ac.at.
The application deadline is November 5, 2025.
If you have any questions, please contact Laura Waltersdorfer (laura.waltersdorfer@wu.ac.at).
Want to find out more about the next funding round of the WU Xperimental grants by the CC for Experimental Research?
Check here: https://www.wu.ac.at/en/exp/wu-xperiment-grants