Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF) - Franz Werfel Fellowship for young university teachers of German language and Austrian literature

What You Get

The Franz Werfel Fellowship gives you a monthly grant of up to €1,250 plus a monthly mobility allowance of up to €600 (for stays of three months or more) to carry out research in Austria. The initial grant runs for 4 to 9 months and can be extended up to a total of 18 months. OeAD also helps you find accommodation and arrange health insurance during your stay.

What You Do in Austria

You work as a visiting researcher at an Austrian university department, or carry out specialist studies in libraries, archives, or research institutions. Your research must focus on Austrian literature.

Long-Term Support After Your Fellowship

Once you have completed at least 12 months of the fellowship and continue teaching at a university outside Austria, you can apply to join the follow-up support programme. This stays available to you for up to 20 years (and longer with proof of employment, up to age 60). It includes:

• Annual conference: A fully funded invitation to the Franz Werfel Literary Symposium every year
• Research grant: A one-month research stay in Austria every three years (€2,500/month); you can bundle up to three months at once
• Habilitation grant: Funding support if you are working toward a habilitation (a post-doctoral qualification required to become a full professor in some European countries)
• Publication allowance: A contribution toward publishing costs
• Project funding: Support for research projects

Who Can Apply

• Nationality: Open to applicants from all countries except Austria
• Role: You are a young university teacher or researcher
• Research focus: Your work centres on Austrian literature and German Studies (Germanistik)
• Language: You have very good knowledge of German and/or English
• Host institution: You have a confirmed supervisor at an Austrian university or research institution

What You Need to Apply

• Two letters of recommendation from university lecturers with a habilitation (or equivalent), written on headed paper, signed, dated, and no more than six months old — these must be different people from your Austrian supervisor
• A written confirmation of supervision from a qualified member of your Austrian host institution
• Scanned copy of your passport (photo page)
• Scanned copies of your university degree certificates (Bachelor's, Master's, and/or PhD)
• Full publication list, highlighting your five most important publications
• Proof of employment at a university (if applicable)
• List of courses you have taught (if applicable)

Deadlines and How to Apply

There are two application deadlines each year: 1 March and 15 September. Applications are submitted online at www.scholarships.at.

Contact

Programme Officer: Mag. Teresa Karamat

Email: teresa.karamat@oead.at

Phone: +43 1 53408-455