2025/26 Ernst Mach Grant to study in Austria

The grant program is financed by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy {BMWFW). Students and young researchers from foreign universities are invited to apply for this grant to come to Austria for a researcher study stay.

Eligible for application are:

1. Postgraduates pursuing a doctoral/PhD programme outside of Austria;
2. Postgraduates and postdocs wishing to pursue research in Austria with a view to an academic career and who completed their studies (at a university outside of Austria) after 30 September 2023;
3. Postdocs who are working as researchers at a university outside of Austria.

Applicants must not have lived/studied/pursued research/pursued academic work in Austria in the last six months before taking up the grant. Applicants who are already permanently residing in Austria or who have completed their academic education mainly in Austria are not eligible to apply.

Maximum age: 35 years (born on or after 01 October 1989)

Language skills: Very good knowledge of English and/or German

Supplementary grant, own funds are required

1. Monthly grant rate: 1,300 Euro

2. Assistance in arranging accommodation and health insurance

• It is possible for OeAD scholarship holders to book accommodation (dormitory or apartment) with the OeAD student housing. The monthly costs are:
  • monthly rent: roughly 330 Euro to 800 Euro
  • (depending on the amenities)
  • monthly administrative fee: currently 24 Euro
• OeAD scholarship holders need to have health insurance that is accepted by the Austrian authorities for the duration of their stay in Austria. The OeAD can help with taking out such insurance. The monthly costs can vary, at the moment you should calculate 55 Euro to 200 Euro (depending on your age, scholarship category and state of health). Scholarship holders have to pay the costs for accommodation and insurance themselves.
• Applicants from non-EU/EEA countries who are planning a research stay of more than 6 months: If your monthly costs for accommodation in Austria exceed 300 Euro, you may need to provide proof of additional funds to the Austrian residence authority when you apply for your residence permit. This figure may vary depending on your individual costs for health insurance and other liabilities.

3. Information for applicants who would like to apply for admission to studies in Austria: Grant holders do not have to pay tuition fees in Austria. Tuition fees may be waived upon request to the Rectorate of the public university or university college for teacher education for the semesters in which studies or research can be shown to have been completed elsewhere, i.e. as part of transnational EU, state or university mobility programmes. Any tuition fees at universities of applied sciences may be waived by the rectorate upon application. This does not apply to tuition fees at private universities and private colleges.