September 15, 2026
€1,300
PhD Candidates & Postdoc Researchers
February 1, 2027
Managed by OeAD and funded by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research.
Provides a monthly stipend of ~€1,300, full tuition waivers, health insurance support, and up to €1,200 travel allowance.
Funds short-term research stays (1–9 months) for PhD candidates, postdocs, and university lecturers outside Austria.
Obtaining an official signed host invitation letter from an Austrian professor is mandatory before applying.
Single annual application deadline is December 1, 2026 (23:59 CET) for 2027–2028 academic year stays.
Zero application fees, and all applications are submitted directly via the official OeAD online portal.
Table of Contents
The Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide is the flagship short-term research scholarship managed by OeAD (Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation) and funded by Austria’s Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research. Designed for international postgraduates, PhD candidates, and postdocs, this grant covers short research stays of 1 to 9 months at public Austrian universities. Recipients get a monthly stipend of approximately €1,300, full tuition fee waivers, health insurance support, and an international travel allowance.
To apply successfully for the 2027–2028 intake, candidates must secure a written invitation from an Austrian host supervisor before the strict December 1, 2026 deadline.
What Is the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide
The Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide funds short-term academic mobility rather than full degree programs. You maintain your degree enrollment or faculty position at your home university while spending 1 to 9 months doing specialized research or data collection in Austria.
Grant Duration: Minimum 1 month, maximum 9 months (extensions beyond 9 months are not allowed).
Target Audience: PhD students, postdocs, and university lecturers outside Austria.
Funding Scope: Covers living expenses, academic fees, and travel costs while in Austria.
To explore other Austrian mobility streams like ASEA-UNINET or Applied Sciences grants, check out our OeAD Scholarship Austria complete guide.
What It Actually Funds
A short research stay, not a full degree. You keep your PhD or academic position at home and spend 1 to 9 months doing research in Austria instead. Extensions beyond 9 months aren’t possible.
Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)
To qualify for the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide, you must satisfy all general and program-specific rules set by the OeAD:
Eligible Applicant Categories:
PhD Candidates: Postgraduates currently enrolled in a PhD program outside Austria.
Postdocs & Lecturers: Researchers who have completed their doctorate or work as university faculty members outside Austria.
Nationality: Open to citizens of any country worldwide except Austria.
Age Limits:
Under 35 years old for postgraduate and PhD applicants at the time of application.
Under 45 years old for postdoctoral applicants.
Residency Restriction: You must not have studied, researched, or worked academically in Austria in the 6 months prior to starting your grant stay.
Enrollment Rule: Regular full-time students currently enrolled at an Austrian university are ineligible.
Key Eligibility Requirements
- Generally under 35 for research stays; under 45 for postdoctoral applicants
- Not a regular student in Austria, and not primarily educated there
- Haven’t studied, researched, or worked academically in Austria in the 6 months before your stay begins
- Currently visiting Austria already? You can’t apply for your present stay, only for a future one
The Mandatory Supervisor Requirement
You need a confirmed Austrian host or supervisor before you apply for the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide. This step isn’t optional, and it isn’t something you can sort out after acceptance.
Monthly Stipend and Financial Benefits
Selected scholars receive comprehensive financial aid to cover living costs and university access throughout their stay in Austria:
Monthly Allowance:
PhD Students & Postgraduates: Approximately €1,300 per month.
Postdocs & Senior Researchers: Approximately €1,300 per month (subject to ministerial allocation adjustments).
Tuition Fee Waiver: Full exemption from tuition fees at host Austrian public universities.
Travel Subsidy: Lump-sum travel grant of up to €1,200 (amount varies based on your country of origin).
Accommodation & Insurance Support: OeAD provides optional assistance with booking student housing and obtaining mandatory health insurance coverage in Austria.
Required Application Documents
All application materials must be uploaded in English or German through the official online portal:
Complete Online Application Form: Submitted via the official OeAD grants portal.
Research Proposal: Detailed plan outlining your planned research activities in Austria.
Host Supervisor Invitation Letter: Official signed agreement from your host professor at an Austrian university.
Two Recommendation Letters: Signed academic reference letters from university professors (must include official university letterhead/stamps).
Academic Transcripts & Degrees: Proof of your current PhD enrollment or completed doctoral degree.
Passport Copy: Valid passport page confirming non-Austrian citizenship.
List of Publications: Complete list of published research papers (required for postdoctoral applicants).
How to Secure an Austrian Host Supervisor
Obtaining an official signed invitation letter from an Austrian host professor is a mandatory prerequisite. You cannot apply on the portal without this document.
Find Relevant Research Faculty: Search departmental directories of public Austrian universities to locate professors whose research aligns with your field.
Draft a Research Proposal: Write a concise 1–2 page project outline detailing your objectives, research methodology, timeline, and why access to Austrian facilities is necessary.
Send a Targeted Email: Reach out to prospective host professors with a brief, professional email attaching your CV, academic transcript, and research summary. Explicitly mention that you are applying for funding under the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide.
Obtain Official Confirmation: Once a professor accepts, request an official host confirmation letter signed on official university letterhead.
Application Deadlines for 2027 Intake
Portal Opening: Mid-November 2026
- Deadline for 2027/28 stays: December 1, 2026, 23:59 CET
- Late submissions are not accepted; no exceptions
- Results typically come within 3–4 months of the deadline
- Apply for a period starting on the 1st of a month and ending on the last day of a month; arriving mid-month can cause administrative problems
Application Fee: €0 (There are no application or processing fees at any stage).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applying Without a Host Supervisor: Submitting an application without an official signed host invitation letter results in instant rejection.
Selecting Odd Start/End Dates: Grants must begin on the 1st day of a month and end on the last day. Selecting mid-month dates causes administrative errors.
Assuming It Funds Full Degrees: Applying with the expectation of earning a full Master’s or PhD degree in Austria rather than a short research visit.
Waiting Until the Final Hour: The portal closes automatically at 23:59 CET on December 1. Server congestion during the last few hours can prevent submission.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got more questions about the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide 2027 ? Check the frequently asked questions below:
Do I need to already know my Austrian supervisor?
Yes. A confirmed invitation or acceptance letter from your host is required at the time.
How much does it pay?
Approximately €1,300 a month, plus a travel subsidy, tuition waiver, and help arranging insurance and accommodation.
Can I apply if I'm currently visiting Austria?
Not for your current stay, but you can apply for a future one, as long as you haven’t been academically active in Austria for 6 months before it starts.
What's the deadline?
December 1, 2026, 23:59 CET, for stays during the 2027/28 academic year.
How long can the grant last?
1 to 9 months, with no extensions possible.
Scholarship Researcher and Writer