Vienna Security and Defense Research Day 2026 Focuses on AI

TU Wien is hosting the Security and Defense Research Day 2026 in Vienna on October 5, bringing together researchers, Austrian government officials, industry representatives and security practitioners to examine how security and defense research can move into operational use. The program covers advanced defense technologies, resilience, artificial intelligence, security intelligence and critical infrastructure protection.

The fully booked event runs from 09:30 to 16:00 at TUtheSky on the TU Wien campus. Its morning program includes perspectives from the Austrian Armed Forces and the Federal Chancellery, alongside research presentations focused on communications, autonomy, sensing technologies and human performance for future defense applications.

The afternoon shifts toward applied security research, including crisis response, disaster preparedness and cooperation between researchers, public authorities and critical infrastructure operators.

A dedicated session on security intelligence and critical infrastructure protection is scheduled for 14:40. According to the TU Wien program, the session will examine the use of artificial intelligence, advanced sensing and operational expertise to address evolving security threats and vulnerabilities. Vienna-based private intelligence company Foreus Intelligence GmbH is among the organizations scheduled to participate, alongside BOC Products & Services, RECENDT and TU Wien.

The presence of a private intelligence company within the research program reflects the increasingly broad overlap between traditional security research, commercial intelligence capabilities, data analysis and the protection of critical infrastructure.

Funding is also part of the agenda. The Austrian Research Promotion Agency, FFG, is scheduled to present national and European funding opportunities for security and defense research during the event.

The timing coincides with a new Austrian security research funding cycle. FFG lists October 5 as the planned opening date for the 2026 KIRAS/K-PASS call, which supports research with civilian security applications. Eligible participants include companies, universities and research organizations, with maximum funding listed at up to €2 million. The current FFG information describes the launch date as planned, meaning final call conditions should be confirmed once formally published.

Austria also operates the FORTE defense research program, which supports projects in areas including critical infrastructure protection, cyber defense and other military-relevant technologies.

The Vienna event runs through 16:00 on Monday, with its final sessions focused on research funding and networking between academic, government and industry participants.