Corruption refers to the misuse of entrusted power for personal benefit. Corruption is a phenomenon that affects all sectors of society across time zones, national boundaries and legal structures. Not only does it result in financial loss, but in particular, it also leads to a loss of trust and value.

Corruption prevention concerns all employees at TU Wien. As officeholders, they must comply with the criminal corruption regulations and the university's own obligatory guidelines, statutory provisions, regulations and policies.

An anti-corruption guideline should primarily assist with explaining what corruption is, as well as prevent risks of corruption and/or avert existing corruption tendencies. As well as raising awareness for and ensuring compliance with the applicable legislation, the aim of an anti-corruption guideline is also to identify and analyse existing risks, and evaluate, improve, set up and/or abolish the relevant processes and rules to prevent corruption and abuse of authority.

X is a professor at Institute Y at TU Wien and supervises students working on their dissertations and theses. By way of thank you, student A gives Professor X an espresso machine worth EUR 800 for private use. Professor X accepts the gift.

Employee M, who has access to the institution's cash, uses this cash for private purchases.

At TU Wien, an application is made for funding to conduct sample-taking from waste water. After receipt of the money, this funding is used to develop a web app for contact tracing.