The Austrian project IMST functions as a support system in close contact with educational authorities, science and school practice in order to raise the level of attractiveness of natural sciences, mathematics, and information technology.  IMST attempts to achieve changes on three levels: in lessons, in schools and across entire educational systems (Krainer 2007).  One of the measures taken by IMST is the creation of regional networks (RN) in the nine Austrian provinces.  The framework and guiding principles for the installation of regional networks were developed on the basis of theoretical desiderata and approaches to networks in education (Posch 1995, Dalin 1999, OECD 2003, McDonald & Klein 2003).   The support offered by IMST was substantiated by a cooperative agreement which detailed the duties of the regional networks and those of IMST.  Empirical data to be presented will include reports from networks (see for example: http://imst.uni-klu.ac.at/rn), and evaluations adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches.  The data offers, among other things, examples of innovative offerings in each region, and gives evidence of the ways in which regional and local communication and cooperative structures are being established.  At the same time, the conflictual aspects of intermediate fields between school practice (bottom up) and administrative hierarchy (top down) are reflected and commented upon.  In reference to the backing by IMST, the network development process is, in addition to the material support, particularly supported through the creation of contexts for exchange of experiences between those in charge of network steering (Rauch & Scherz 2009). In 2008/09 the accompanying research will be intensified through additional interviews, questionnaires and case studies (see symposium abstract from Tanja Sturm).