Founded in 1972, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is an independent international research institute based in Laxenburg (near Vienna), Austria. Originally established as a bridge for East-West scientific cooperation during the Cold War, IIASA now brings together multidisciplinary teams to tackle global, complex challenges, such as climate change, energy transition, population dynamics, land use, and sustainable development, through applied systems analysis. It does not grant academic degrees; instead its mission is to provide robust scientific insights to policymakers worldwide, integrating knowledge across economics, environment, technology, and society.