Austria
5 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodOctober StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Fulbright Austria (the Austrian-American Educational Commission) offers up to five grants for full-time research and/or study. Four of these are Fulbright-Mach Awards funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research and specifically designated for applicants with a master’s degree at the time of application.
Grant Amounts:
- Full-Time Research or Study Grants
Travel grant of €2,000; Monthly stipend of €1,250 for nine months (October–June) - Fulbright-Mach Awards for Doctoral Candidates:
Travel grant of €2,000; Monthly stipend of €1,250 for nine months (October–June)
Grant Length
Grant Period
October 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026
Grant Length: 9 months.
Orientation
The Open Study/Research Award begins with a week-long orientation in Vienna in mid- to late September.
Candidate Profile
Applicants at all degree levels will be considered, including graduate-level students and PhD candidates. Applications are also welcome from musicians enrolled in performance programs. Applicants proposing study or research in medicine or veterinary medicine will not be considered.
Applicants who are graduating seniors or have recently completed their undergraduate degrees may apply for full-time research and study grants, but should note that—due to the limited number of grants in this category and to competition with applicants of more advanced academic standing—competition is rigorous every year. Therefore, they are advised to apply for grants combined with English teaching assistantships. Individuals who have applied for but are not selected for full-time research grants may, at the discretion of Fulbright Austria, alternatively be considered for a grant combined with a teaching assistantship.
Fulbright Austria reviews project proposals for their coherence and quality and also takes into account the candidate's ability to contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding between the people of Austria and the United States. It is particularly—but by no means exclusively—interested in the promotion of Austrian studies and in proposals of bilateral or comparative relevance that enhance Austrian-American collaboration.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Please view our US Fulbright Student Program YouTube playlist to learn more about what life is like for US Fulbright students in Austria at https://www.youtube.com/@FulbrightAustria/playlists.
Eligibility
6 Months
Dual nationals will be considered under special circumstances and in cases where project proposals are of exceptional merit. The FFSB policies apply.
Applicants proposing study or research in medicine or veterinary medicine will not be considered.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
German-language proficiency is necessary to fulfill the Fulbright Program's bilateral mandate of promoting mutual understanding, to negotiate the challenges of everyday life, and to fulfill university admission requirements. As a rule, university courses are taught in German, although an increasing number of courses are offered in English; thus, all applicants must submit the Language Self-Evaluation and a Foreign Language Evaluation by a qualified language instructor. Both forms are available on the Fulbright online application system.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
All grantees, including PhD candidates, must be fully matriculated at accredited universities in Austria to facilitate tuition remission, health insurance, the use of libraries, archives, labs, etc.
Applicants should identify the individuals and institutions that will provide on-site guidance and include letters of affiliation. Invitations are required and should indicate how applicants will be anchored at the institutions.
Affiliation with research centers or other institutions that are incorporated as companies and/or require grantees to be employed and compensated according to Austrian labor law are problematic and incompatible with the status of being a grantee. Such affiliations need to be discussed with Fulbright Austria in advance of the submission of grant proposals.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Fulbright Austria facilitates university enrollment at the applicant's preferred university, and the Austrian government provides for the waiver of tuition fees at public institutions.
Fulbright Austria does not cover tuition costs for enrollment at private institutions of higher education or other programs of advanced study in Austria that do not waive tuition fees.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Grantees receive a monthly stipend of €1,250 for nine months (October–June).
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
Grantees receive a travel and relocation allowance of €2,000.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The grant is designed to cover basic living expenses, but additional funds may be needed to cover expenses beyond the monthly grant payment.
Dependents
Housing Arrangements
Grantees will be expected to arrange their housing.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Music and Fine Arts Applicants
Admission procedures at Austrian institutions of music and the arts vary. Universities of music and the arts may require auditions and/or entrance examinations, along with submission of a portfolio. Instruction is frequently based on "master classes" where professors select and train students for an extended period. Therefore, applicants are required to have established contact with Austrian music and/or art professors before applying for a grant and must solicit invitations to study with said professors.
Applicants should inquire about audition and/or admission requirements and dates well in advance. Candidates may be required to travel to Austria at their own expense to audition (as early as February) or may be admitted without auditions as exchange students, provided they have corresponding invitations. Fulbright Austria offers grants for musicians contingent upon university acceptance and enrollment and does not provide grants based exclusively on private study. Auditions at universities of music and the arts are highly competitive in Austria. Virtuosity is an important criterion for admission, and institutions prefer younger candidates.
Residency Permits
Grantees are required by the terms and conditions of their awards to have appropriate residence permits, and the timely procurement of appropriate residence permits is strictly the responsibility of individual grantees. If you are aware of any reason that you would not be able to obtain a residence permit in Austria (i.e., if you are currently subject to a ban on entering the EU), please reach out to Fulbright Austria prior to applying.