Established in 1991, Wissenschaftsladen Wien - Science Shop Vienna is an independent research institute conducting research on the needs and demands of non-profit organisations, such as charitable organisations, action groups, local authorities and civil initiatives.

The institute realizes research projects, organizes conferences, workshops, working groups and round tables, provides expert's opinions, advises in matters of research and science and develops applications of modern information and communication technologies to contribute to the improvement of working conditions of NGOs. Research topics mainly derive from requests directed to the institute or are developed together with NGOs. Hence, the Science Shop Vienna stands for not-for-profit research and expertise dedicated to societal challenges and a sustainable way of life.

Regularly, the institute pioneers topics and approaches such as transdisciplinary working groups on handicap topics, NGO conferences on employment policy and measures, housing-related empowerment, and the situation of student moms, which are taken up at a later stage by major Austrian research institutions and political parties.

The disciplinary focus is on social sciences and the humanities, the research focus on ICT, gender issues and science studies. When needed, members of the institute specialising in other disciplines such as natural and technical sciences are called in. Hence, a wide range of practically oriented expertise not covered by the staff is easily available. The Science Shop Vienna is an equal opportunity employer with gender-balanced staff.