Johannes Kepler University Linz - IRIS-FISCHLMAYR - Preise und Stipendium

What you get

The Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) offers three separate awards under the Iris Fischlmayr name, run by its equality and diversity department. There is a prize of EUR 3,000 for one outstanding doctoral thesis, two prizes of EUR 1,500 each for outstanding diploma or master's theses, and a doctoral scholarship of EUR 3,000 per month for up to 12 months (up to EUR 36,000 in total) to finish a doctoral thesis. The prizes go to work with a diversity angle. The monthly scholarship supports women researchers in technical and natural sciences. Note that the scholarship counts as taxable income and does not make you an employee, so you pay your own social insurance.

Who can apply

• University: All three awards are tied to the JKU Linz only.
• Thesis prizes, your thesis: You have finished a doctoral, diploma or master's thesis with a diversity focus, graded "Sehr gut" (very good), approved at the JKU after 1 January 2024.
• Thesis prizes, your field: Your thesis is in social and economic sciences, law and/or medical sciences.
• Thesis prizes, language: You wrote the thesis in German or English.
• Monthly scholarship: You are a woman, at least in the second year of a doctoral programme in a technical or natural science subject at the JKU.
• Scholarship, purpose: You use the money to finish your doctoral thesis. You cannot extend it or reapply.
• Scholarship, extra weighting: Life circumstances such as childcare, disability, chronic illness or caring for relatives count in your favour.

How to apply

Email your complete documents to the equality department by 15 March 2026. A subject jury, chaired by the Vice-Rector for Research, decides and may invite you to a hearing or ask for expert reviews. You hear the result in writing around May 2026, and the awards are handed over on 25 June 2026 at the JKU.

How realistic are your chances?

Each award is cut narrowly: you must be at the JKU Linz, meet a specific field and, for the scholarship, be a woman in the sciences at least in your second doctoral year. That keeps the applicant pool small, so a well-matched candidate with a top grade or a strong thesis project has good prospects. Only one doctoral prize, two thesis prizes and one scholarship are given, so submit a clear, complete application on time.