University of Vienna (Vienna/Austria) - Bank Austria Research Award

What you get

You will receive a one-off research prize: a main award of 5,000 EUR or one of two achievement awards, each worth 1,500 EUR. This prize is awarded once a year in recognition of outstanding achievement as part of your PhD studies. The funding is provided by the Bank Austria Foundation for Science and Research at the University of Vienna.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a PhD student and are therefore working on your thesis.
• University: You’re studying at the University of Vienna.
• Field of study: Each year, the award is open only to a small number of the University’s doctoral schools, with the selected schools changing annually. In 2024, these included the fields of philosophy, economics (Oskar Morgenstern Doctoral School), educational sciences, philology and cultural studies, as well as history and cultural studies. Before applying, please check which doctoral schools are being considered in the current round.
• Your work: The research paper you have submitted must not be more than one year old.
• Nationality: Open to all nationalities.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the University of Vienna’s Research Services. You should upload your CV, along with a list of your publications, a brief summary of your research (maximum half a page) and a one-page description of the potential impact of your research. The deadline of 2024 was 15 May. A foundation committee selects the prize winners; its decision is final.

How realistic are your chances?

The selection criteria for this prize are very strict: you must be a PhD student at a specific university – one of only a handful of doctoral schools, which change every year – and be able to demonstrate current research work. This keeps the pool of applicants small. If your university is one of those selected for the current round and your research is having a significant impact, your prospects are good, as only a handful of prizes are awarded each year.