The Institute for Limnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences performs ecological research on inland waters. The Institute was founded in 1972. The overall research goal is to understand the structure, function and dynamics of freshwater ecosystems. Although the institute primarily conducts basic research, aspects of applied research are also considered. The Institute has a total staff complement of 26 including 13 scientist. Students, Post Doc and Guest Researchers participate actively in various research projects. The current institute's building is located at the shoreline of Lake Mondsee, close to Salzburg, and was established in 1981. The institute has research vessels, state-of-the-art laboratory/field equipment, course/lecturing facilities and a specialized library.
Ecophysiology and Evolutionary Ecology are the primary research interests of 7 working groups (see Research and Personnel at webpage: http://www.oeaw.ac.at/limno). Investigating the formation and maintenance of diversity and complexity at the individual, population, species and ecosystem level is its research priority for the near future. The IPGL-office is acting as a hub for international post-graduated training, research and networking.

Inland water research dates back more than 150 years in Austria, although the term “limnology” had not been defined then, and Austria has a long tradition in limnological training. Franz Ruttner gave courses more than 70 years ago at the “Biological Station Lunz”. Prof. Heinz Löffler initiated the “International Post-Graduate Training Course in Limnology” in 1975.