Universität Graz - Förderungsstipendien der Geisteswissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Universität Graz

What you get

You will receive a one-off grant of between 750 and 3,600 EUR. This covers specific costs incurred whilst writing your Master’s thesis or your doctoral thesis. The Faculty of Arts at the University of Graz awards this grant to cover specific expenses, such as:

• A research trip in Austria or abroad
• Conference fees
• Demanding literature searches and empirical studies
• Second-class train journeys or economy-class flights, as well as local transport to the station or airport
• Accommodation at a reasonable local price
• A grant towards printing costs of up to 400 EUR, should you publish the work

You can apply once per thesis. You may claim one grant for a master's thesis and a separate one for a dissertation. Everyday items are not covered: no laptops or other equipment you keep, no books available in Graz libraries, no meals, and no travel between home and your place of study.

Who can apply

• University and faculty: You are enrolled on a standard degree programme at the Faculty of Arts at the University of Graz.
• Field of study: Your subject falls within the humanities, for example social sciences, philosophy, theology, psychology, linguistics or cultural studies.
• Stage of study: You are currently working on your Master’s thesis or PhD thesis and have already registered your topic.
• Thesis not finished: At the time of your application, you had not yet completed your final thesis or submitted it for assessment.
• Study duration: You are still within the eligible period of study as defined by the Austrian regulations on student finance (minimum duration of study plus one grace semester). Extensions are possible for valid reasons, and the summer semester 2020 is not counted towards this period.
• Nationality: You are an Austrian national, a foreign national with equivalent legal status, or a stateless person within the meaning of the Austrian Student Financial Aid Act (StudFG).

How to apply

Please apply by email to the Dean’s Office of the Faculty of Humanities. Use the official form and enclose a breakdown of costs as well as at least one reference, usually from your supervisor. There are two application deadlines each year: approximately from 20 April to 29 May and from 14 September to 23 October.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must be studying at this specific faculty, be in the process of writing your final thesis, and have verifiable, documented additional costs. As a result, the number of eligible applicants remains small. If you clearly meet the criteria and submit a well-reasoned breakdown of costs, supported by an assessment from your supervisor, your chances are good. A concrete, detailed plan is more important than a polished sales pitch.