Intro The IMST project started in 1998 as a reaction to Austria′s disappointing TIMSS 1995 results at the upper secondary level. In its first phase, IMST aimed at fostering mathematics and science education at secondary schools. Later, it was extended to all levels and more subjects. The paper sketches the genesis of the project, including the initial research project and its continuous development. Furthermore, the theoretical framework, the goals and the intervention strategy are outlined as well as the proect′s approach to evaluation and research. As an outcome of IMST, a national support system was launched. The paper compares the vision of this support system and its implementation. Also, it concludes with some reflections on Austrian students′ achievement in TIMSS and other studies over the years.