Austrian Government OeAD Scholarships 2026-2027

Overview

The OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalization) manages a wide portfolio of scholarships and grants funded primarily by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. These programmes support international students, researchers, and academics at all career stages, from undergraduate exchange students to postdoctoral researchers, who want to study, conduct research, or teach at Austrian universities and research institutions.

The flagship programme for international applicants is the Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide, which pays a monthly stipend of EUR 1,300 for research stays of 1 to 9 months at Austrian institutions. This grant is open to postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers from all countries (except Austria) and all academic disciplines. The OeAD also runs specialised programmes: the Franz Werfel Fellowship for teachers of German language and Austrian literature, the Richard Plaschka Fellowship for historians, and region-specific grants through networks like ASEA-UNINET and CEEPUS.

OeAD scholarships do not cover full degree programmes. They fund research stays, exchange semesters, and short-term academic visits that complement a scholar's ongoing studies or research at their home institution. This makes them well-suited for doctoral students and early-career researchers who want international research experience, access to Austrian academic expertise, and cross-border academic connections.

Key Facts at a Glance

Detail	Information
Funding Body	OeAD – Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalization, funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research
Host Country	Austria
Degree Levels	Bachelor's, Master's, PhD, Postdoctoral
Value	Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide: €1,300/month stipend plus up to €1,200 travel subsidy. Other programmes vary. All grants are intended to cover insurance, accommodation, visa, and daily living costs.
Deadline	February 2026
Duration	1 to 9 months (Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide); up to 36 months for some ASEA-UNINET programmes
Eligible Nationalities	Most programmes open to applicants from all countries worldwide. Some programmes target specific regions (ASEA-UNINET: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam; bilateral programmes with Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary).
Official Website	https://oead.at/en/study-research-teaching/overview-grants-and-scholarships

Eligibility Criteria

Academic Requirements

For the Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide: applicants must be postgraduates who completed their studies (at a university outside Austria) after September 2024, or postdoctoral researchers working as lecturers or researchers at a university outside Austria. Qualifications must be relevant to the proposed research in Austria.

Nationality Requirements

Most OeAD programmes, including the Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide, are open to applicants from all countries except Austria. Some programmes are restricted to specific regions or partner networks.

Language Requirements

No specific language test is required across the board, but applicants must show sufficient proficiency in the language of their research or study programme (English or German, depending on the host institution and project). A letter from the Austrian supervisor confirming language adequacy is usually enough.

Work Experience

No specific work experience is required. Academic or research experience at a university outside Austria strengthens the application. For postdoctoral grants, active employment as a lecturer or researcher is expected.

Other Requirements

Ernst Mach Grant applicants must be under 35. They must not have lived, studied, or worked in Austria in the six months before the grant start date. A confirmed acceptance or invitation from an Austrian host institution or supervisor is required.

Scholarship Benefits

• Monthly stipend of EUR 1,300 (Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide)
• Travel subsidy of up to EUR 1,200 for international travel to and from Austria
• The stipend covers accommodation, health and accident insurance, visa fees, and daily living expenses
• Access to Austrian university facilities, libraries, and research infrastructure
• Opportunity to build international academic networks and collaborations
• Franz Werfel Fellowship and Richard Plaschka Fellowship include follow-up support (financial and material) beyond the initial grant period
• ASEA-UNINET grants offer stays of up to 36 months for eligible applicants from Southeast Asian partner universities

How to Apply

1. Identify the Right Programme: Visit the OeAD website or the Austrian Database for Scholarships and Research Grants (grants.at) to find the programme that matches your academic level, field, and nationality. The Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide is the main option for most international applicants.
2. Secure an Austrian Host Institution: Contact a professor or research group at an Austrian university or research institution and get an acceptance or invitation letter. This confirms the host is willing to supervise your research during the grant period.
3. Prepare Required Documents: Gather your research proposal, academic transcripts, CV, publication list, invitation letter from the Austrian host, and any programme-specific materials.
4. Submit Online Application: Apply through the OeAD online portal before the deadline. For the Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide, the deadline is 1 February 2026 at 23:59 CET. Make sure all documents are uploaded and the application is complete.
5. Await Review and Decision: Expert committees review applications. Results come within 3-4 months of the deadline. Successful applicants receive a grant confirmation letter and pre-arrival instructions.

Required Documents

• Detailed research proposal or study plan for the period in Austria
• Invitation or acceptance letter from an Austrian host institution or supervisor
• Certified copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Curriculum vitae with list of publications (for researchers)
• Proof of citizenship (valid passport)
• Two academic reference letters
• Proof of language proficiency (if required by the host institution)
• Passport-sized photograph
• Proof that applicant has not resided in Austria in the last six months

Important Dates & Deadlines

Milestone	Date
Applications Open	Varies by programme; typically October-November 2025
Application Deadline	Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide: 1 February 2026. Franz Werfel Fellowship: 1 March 2026. Richard Plaschka Fellowship: 1 March 2026.
Results Announced	May-June 2026
Course Start	October 2026 (academic year 2026/27)

Tips for a Strong Application

Personal Statement Tips

• Write a focused research proposal that spells out exactly what you will accomplish during your stay in Austria. Vague plans weaken your application.
• Explain why Austria and your chosen host institution are the right place for this research, referencing specific expertise, facilities, or collections
• Show how the grant fits into your broader academic path: where you have been, and where this experience will take you
• If you have already been in contact with your Austrian host supervisor, mention it to show the collaboration is well-planned
• Highlight preliminary results, publications, or conference presentations that demonstrate your research output

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without a confirmed invitation from an Austrian host institution. This is required, and applications without it are at a severe disadvantage.
• Submitting after the deadline, which is strictly enforced at 23:59 CET on the closing date
• Not checking the age limit (35 for Ernst Mach Grant) or the residency restriction (must not have lived in Austria in the prior 6 months)
• Confusing OeAD research grants with full-degree scholarships. Most OeAD programmes fund research stays, not entire degree programmes.
• Providing a research plan that is too broad rather than specific and achievable within the grant period

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the OeAD Ernst Mach Grant stipend amount?

EUR 1,300 per month. An additional travel subsidy of up to EUR 1,200 covers international travel to and from Austria.

Is the OeAD scholarship a full degree scholarship?

Most OeAD programmes, including the Ernst Mach Grant, fund research stays and exchange visits of 1 to 9 months, not full degree programmes. They are designed to complement ongoing studies or research at your home institution.

What is the age limit for the Ernst Mach Grant?

Under 35 at the time of application. This applies specifically to the Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide.

Do I need to speak German to apply for an OeAD scholarship?

Not necessarily. Many research projects in Austria are conducted in English. You must show sufficient proficiency in the language used for your research. A letter from your Austrian supervisor confirming language adequacy is usually enough.

Can undergraduate students apply for OeAD scholarships?

Some programmes, such as the Ernst Mach Grant for Universities of Applied Sciences and CEEPUS, accept undergraduate exchange students. The main Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide is restricted to postgraduates and postdoctoral researchers.

When is the OeAD Ernst Mach Grant deadline?

1 February 2026 at 23:59 CET for the 2026/27 academic year. Other OeAD programmes have different deadlines, typically in February or March.

Do I need an invitation letter from an Austrian university?

For most OeAD research grants, you need an acceptance or invitation letter from a professor or research group at an Austrian university or research institution confirming they will host your research.

What fields of study are eligible for OeAD scholarships?

The Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide is open to all academic disciplines with no restrictions. Some other OeAD programmes, such as the Franz Werfel Fellowship, target specific fields like German literature.

Can I apply for an OeAD scholarship if I already live in Austria?

Ernst Mach Grant applicants must not have lived, studied, pursued research, or done academic work in Austria in the six months before the grant start date.

Does the OeAD scholarship cover health insurance?

The EUR 1,300 monthly stipend is meant to cover all living expenses including health and accident insurance. OeAD may also help with insurance arrangements, with costs ranging from EUR 55 to EUR 200 per month depending on coverage.

How long can I stay in Austria on an OeAD scholarship?

The Ernst Mach Grant, Worldwide funds stays of 1 to 9 months. ASEA-UNINET grants can support stays of up to 36 months. Duration depends on the specific programme and your research plan.

What is the grants.at database?

Grants.at is Austria's largest database for scholarships and research funding, run by OeAD. It provides a searchable overview of all OeAD-administered programmes and is the best starting point for finding which grant suits your profile.

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