BMLFUW is the unit responsible for research and development within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management (Bundesministerium fur Land- und Forstwirtschaft, Umwelt und Wasserwirtschaft). The unit co-ordinates all research activities in the mentioned topics in co-operation with Austrian universities, the main research centres and research agencies associated to the Ministry. BMLFUW works in close co-operation with the Federal Ministry of Science and Research (Bundesministerium fur Wissenschaft und Forschung; BMWF), the Ministry of Health (Bundesministerium fur Gesundheit; BMG), and the regional governments. The unit also represents Austrian interests in the EU Framework Programmes, COST and agricultural research activities in OECD.

The annual budget for the three year period 2006-2008 was on average €19M, with €15M linked to the research activities within the research agencies. The Programme for Research and Development, PFEIL 10 (2006-2010), www.dafne.at, defines the framework within which contracted research and department-related research is implemented.