Ernst Mach Grant 2026–2027: Fully Funded Research and Study Opportunities in Austria for International Students and Researchers

Overview

The Ernst Mach Grant encompasses a collection of international scholarship and research funding programmes administered by OeAD, which is Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation, on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research. Named after the physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach, the framework provides funding opportunities for international students, graduates, postdoctoral researchers, lecturers, and young researchers who want to undertake study, research, or academic stays in Austria. Because the framework consists of several distinct funding streams, eligibility requirements, age limits, duration, and application deadlines differ depending on the specific programme chosen.

Who can apply

Target groups vary across the different funding streams within the Ernst Mach framework. The Worldwide grant is open to young researchers from all academic disciplines and all countries except Austria. The programme for studying at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences targets undergraduate students enrolled at non-European universities who wish to spend part of their studies at a Fachhochschule in Austria. Additionally, the Follow-up grant is specifically designed for postdoctoral researchers and lecturers from non-European developing countries who are currently researching or teaching at a higher education institution or university.

Requirements

Applicants to the Worldwide grant and the University of Applied Sciences study programme must be 35 years old or younger. For the Follow-up grant, applicants must have previously received a grant that was administered by OeAD-GmbH, with the intended purpose of supporting their scientific career and deepening academic cooperation with Austrian higher education institutions and universities. Candidates should carefully identify the exact Ernst Mach Grant programme that matches their individual circumstances and academic level.

What you get

The funding opportunities provide financial support for academic stays in Austria, ranging from shorter research visits to longer study periods. The Worldwide grant supports research stays lasting between 1 and 9 months. The programme for studies at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences covers stays lasting from 4 to 10 months, corresponding to approximately one or two semesters at participating institutions across all Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences.

Key dates

The application window for the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide runs annually from September to 1 December. For candidates applying to study at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences, the online application period is open from October to 1 February of the following year.