Top 20 Upcoming Fellowships in Austria (2025–2026): Your Complete Guide.
By Farin Khatoon.
If you’re planning to study or do research abroad, Austria deserves a place on your list. From its breathtaking landscapes and historic universities to its world-class research centers, Austria offers a blend of innovation, opportunity, and culture that few countries can match.
Over the years, Austria has become a growing hub for young scientists, researchers, and scholars from across the world. Whether you’re from the life sciences, social sciences, engineering, or humanities, there’s a fellowship for you here.
In this blog, I’ve compiled a list of 20 upcoming fully funded fellowships in Austria — with details, deadlines, and official links — so you don’t have to search endlessly. These are great opportunities for both Ph.D. aspirants and postdoctoral researchers looking to build their careers in Europe.
Let’s explore!
1. IST-BRIDGE Postdoctoral Fellowship (ISTA)
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Duration: 2 years | Funding: Fully funded
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Field: Science, technology, and interdisciplinary research
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Deadline: Nov 15, 2025A prestigious postdoctoral program at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). Perfect for researchers seeking independence and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
2. IIASA Postdoctoral Fellowship
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Field: Systems analysis, climate change, sustainability
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Deadline: Nov 1, 2025If you’re passionate about environmental science and global systems, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) is the place to be.
3. Vienna BioCenter PhD Program
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Field: Molecular biology, genetics, and life sciences
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Deadline: Nov 15, 2025One of Europe’s top life science programs offering advanced training in molecular research with a fully funded Ph.D. opportunity.
4. ISTA PhD Program
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Field: Interdisciplinary science and technology
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Deadline: Jan 8, 2026A great choice for students seeking high-level Ph.D. training in a research-driven environment.
5. CEU Doctoral Scholarships (Vienna Campus)
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Field: Social sciences, humanities, and policy studies
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Deadline: Jan 31, 2026Central European University offers full scholarships for doctoral students passionate about social impact and research excellence.
6. Ernst Mach Grant (OeAD)
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For: Non-EU PhD and Postdoc researchers
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Deadline: Feb 1, 2026A classic Austrian government fellowship supporting international researchers to collaborate and innovate.
7. Graz University of Technology Doctoral School
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Field: Engineering, computer science, technology
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Deadline: Feb 28, 2026Excellent for students in applied sciences, offering strong industry collaboration and academic support.
8. FWF DOC Fellowship
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Field: All academic disciplines
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Deadline: Mar 15, 2026A flexible Ph.D. fellowship by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) supporting high-quality research across fields.
9. Max Perutz Labs PhD Program
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Field: Molecular biology and genetics
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Deadline: Mar 31, 2026A top-tier biomedical program offering full funding, mentorship, and research training in Vienna.
10. Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) DOC Fellowship
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Field: Humanities and sciences
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Deadline: Apr 2026Ideal for Ph.D. students looking for independent, high-impact projects under Austria’s top academic body.
11. ÖAW APART & APART-MINT Postdoctoral Programs
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Field: Science, technology, and innovation
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Deadline: Apr 2026Provides postdoctoral researchers the independence to lead their own scientific projects.
12. Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology & Evolution (VDSEE)
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Field: Biodiversity, ecology, climate change
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Deadline: Apr 2026Perfect for researchers passionate about environmental sciences and conservation biology.
13. TU Wien Doctoral College Fellowships
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Field: Engineering, physics, and computational sciences
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Deadline: May 2026A strong choice for tech-savvy Ph.D. candidates looking to combine innovation with academic rigor.
14. IST-BRIDGE Postdoctoral Fellowship (Round 2)
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Deadline: May 15, 2026If you missed the first round, this second call offers another opportunity for talented postdocs to apply.
15. AUSSDA Research Data Centre Fellowship
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Field: Social sciences and open data
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Deadline: May 2026For data-driven researchers who love working with social datasets and transparency in science.
16. VIPS Vienna International Postdoctoral Program
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Field: Biomedical sciences
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Deadline: Jun 15, 2026A highly competitive postdoctoral program focusing on cutting-edge molecular and biomedical research.
17. Vienna BioCenter PhD Program (Summer Call)
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Field: Life sciences
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Deadline: Jun 15, 2026If you missed the winter round, the VBC summer call gives another chance to join a leading Ph.D. research community.
18. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (EU)
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Field: Open to all disciplines
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Next Call: Apr 2026 | Deadline: Sept 2026A globally recognized EU fellowship promoting international mobility and innovation.
19. JKU Linz Postdoctoral Fellowship
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Field: Interdisciplinary research
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Deadline: Apr 2026Encourages collaboration across fields, bridging science, engineering, and social research.
20. Lise Meitner Programme (FWF)
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Field: Science and technology
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Deadline: Rolling (2025–2026)Supports international postdocs who want to carry out independent research in Austria.
Final Thoughts
Austria continues to prove itself as a global research destination, offering both academic excellence and a high quality of life. The fellowships listed here are fully funded, cover living costs, and often include research travel and professional development support.
If you are a researcher dreaming of expanding your career in Europe, start preparing early. Most of these fellowships are competitive, and a strong research proposal along with good academic references can make all the difference.
As someone who has explored various international programs, I truly believe that Austria offers a balanced blend of research freedom, academic depth, and cultural beauty. Whether you’re into molecular biology, climate science, or social research — there’s a place for you here.
So, start your applications early, refine your CV and proposal, and who knows — your next big research journey might just begin in the heart of Europe.
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