Ernst Mach Grant 2027-2028: Austria’s Fully Funded Research Scholarship (OeAD Guide)
Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ernst Mach Grant – worldwide |
| Funded by | Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF), administered by OeAD |
| Coverage | €1,300/month + assistance arranging accommodation and health insurance |
| Duration | 1 to 9 months |
| Age limit | 35 |
| Deadline | February 1, 2027 (applications open ~October 2026) — for the 2027/28 academic year |
| Official site | oead.at → Ernst Mach Grant |
The Ernst Mach Grant is Austria’s flagship mobility scholarship for international researchers. Named after physicist and philosopher Ernst Mach, it funds research stays and study visits at Austrian universities — not full degrees. For PhD students, postdocs, postgraduates and early-career researchers from any country except Austria, it’s a reliable, fully funded route to a research placement in Central Europe.
Important reality check: the €1,300/month rate is designed as a contribution, and OeAD states grant rates assume Austrian living costs are higher than the grant. Plan for own funds, especially for accommodation and health insurance.
—
What Does It Cover?
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly grant | €1,300/month (verified rate for recent cycles) |
| Arrangement support | OeAD assists with accommodation and health insurance |
| Travel costs | Subsidy available in some cases — check the current call |
The grant rate is fixed — OeAD does not increase it. For stays over 6 months, third-country nationals should expect to prove additional funds to the Austrian residence authority (e.g., if accommodation costs more than ~€300/month).
Programme variants:
| Variant | Target group | Duration | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ernst Mach – worldwide | Researchers from all countries (except Austria), ≤35 | 1–9 months | Feb 1 |
| Ernst Mach – Fachhochschule (UAS) | Undergrads/grads from non-European universities, ≤35 | 4–10 months | Feb 1 |
| Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant | Postdocs from non-European developing countries, former OeAD holders, ≤45 | 1–3 months | Feb 1 (opens Sep) |
| Ernst Mach – ASEA-UNINET | Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam | 9–36 months | Mar 1 |
| Ernst Mach – Ukraine | Ukrainian students/graduates | until Jun 30, 2026 | closed |
—
Eligibility (✅/❌ checklist)
✅ You Must (worldwide variant):
- Be a PhD student, postgraduate, postdoc or researcher at a university outside Austria
- Be 35 or younger at the time of application
- Have written consent/invitation from an Austrian academic supervisor (required before applying)
- Apply for a stay within the target academic year (Oct 1, 2027 – Aug 31, 2028 for the 2027/28 call)
❌ Not Eligible If:
- You are an Austrian citizen or already based in Austria
- You are over 35 (over 45 for Follow-Up)
- You apply for a full degree programme — this grant funds stays, not degrees
- You have studied/researched in Austria in the 6 months before the grant starts (for the FH variant)
—
How to Apply: Step by Step
Step 1: Find an Austrian host
The consent of an Austrian supervisor is required. Approach professors in your field at Austrian universities (University of Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, TU Wien, JKU Linz, etc.) with a concrete research proposal — 2–3 months before the deadline.
Step 2: Prepare your proposal
Write a focused research plan (typically 3–5 pages) explaining what you’ll do in Austria and why this host.
Step 3: Apply through the OeAD online tool
The online application opens ~October 2026 at oead.at. Submit before February 1, 2027, 23:59 CET. Don’t submit on the last day — the system checks completeness automatically and errors are common.
Step 4: Evaluation
Applications are reviewed by experts after the deadline. Results for the 2026/27 cycle were announced in early July — expect a similar timeline for 2027/28.
Step 5: Visa & arrival
Non-EU nationals need a residence permit/visa, which can take several months. If awarded in July, a September start may not be feasible — plan a November/December start.
—
Insider Tips
1. Apply in October, not February
The deadline is February 1, but Austrian supervisors finalise support letters early. Submitting in Oct–Nov also gives you the full visa runway — OeAD itself advises third-country nationals planning >6 months to start from November/December.
2. The host letter is the real application
Your academic record matters, but the supervisor’s invitation is the gate. Personalise each email, attach your CV + proposal, and follow up once.
3. Budget realistically
€1,300/month in Vienna covers a modest student lifestyle but not all costs. Budget ~€900–1,200/month for accommodation alone in Vienna. Have proof of own funds ready for the residence authority.
4. Check the FH variant if you’re a Bachelor/Master’s student
Non-European students enrolled in Bachelor (≥4 semesters) or Master’s programmes can get 4–10 months at an Austrian University of Applied Sciences — often easier to secure than a university research position.
5. Know the Austrian fee reality
Austrian public universities charge non-EU/EEA students tuition of roughly €726.72 per semester (EU/EEA students pay only the ~€20 student union fee). Ernst Mach covers living costs; budget for the semester fee if your stay overlaps a semester.
6. Don’t expect extensions
The worldwide grant is 1–9 months with no extensions. If you need longer, plan a follow-up (e.g., the Follow-Up Grant for postdocs from developing countries, 3 years after your first stay).
—
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ernst Mach Grant fully funded?
It provides €1,300/month plus arrangement support — a strong contribution, but OeAD notes the rate may not cover all Austrian living costs. Own funds are commonly required.
Can I do a full Master’s or PhD with this grant?
No — it funds research/study stays of up to 9 months, not full degrees. It’s ideal for research placements, fieldwork, library stays and thesis research periods.
What is the deadline for 2027-28?
Applications open around October 2026 and close February 1, 2027 (following the established annual pattern — confirm on oead.at when the call opens).
Do I need to speak German?
No. Research can be conducted in English, though basic German helps with daily life. The FH variant requires “excellent English and/or German.”
Which countries can apply?
All countries except Austria for the worldwide grant. The Follow-Up Grant targets postdocs from non-European developing countries; ASEA-UNINET targets five Southeast Asian countries.
—
Timeline Table
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Online application opens | ~October 2026 |
| Application deadline | February 1, 2027 |
| Expert evaluation | Feb – Jun 2027 |
| Results announced | ~July 2027 |
| Earliest stay start | October 1, 2027 |
| Recommended start (non-EU, >6 months) | November–December 2027 |
—
Your Action Plan
1. This month: Shortlist 3–5 Austrian supervisors in your field; draft a research proposal.
2. September–October 2026: Email hosts; secure a written invitation.
3. October 2026: Open the OeAD online application and start filling it in.
4. By February 1, 2027: Submit — ideally weeks early.
5. July 2027: If awarded, start visa processing immediately and plan a Nov/Dec start.
Share this with a researcher who needs funded time in Austria.
Related guides: Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships · DAAD Germany · Study in Norway — Real Scholarship Options · Fully Funded PhD Scholarships 2027