Johannes Kepler Universität Linz - IRIS FISCHLMAYR – Preise und Stipendium

What the IRIS-FISCHLMAYR awards give you

The Johannes Kepler University Linz (JKU) runs three separate awards here, each paid in EUR:

• Dissertation stipend: 3,000 EUR per month for up to 12 months, to help women finish a doctoral thesis in a technical or natural-science field. The money is taxable. You cannot extend it or apply a second time.
• Dissertation prize: a one-off 3,000 EUR for a finished doctoral thesis on a diversity theme.
• Master's / diploma thesis prize: two prizes of 1,500 EUR each for finished master's or diploma theses on a diversity theme.

Who can apply

For the monthly stipend:

• Who you are: You are a woman doing a doctorate.
• University: You study at the JKU Linz.
• Field of study: A technical or natural-science subject.
• Stage: You are at least in the second year of your doctorate.
• Nationality: You are Austrian, are treated as equal to Austrians under Austrian student-aid law, or hold a residence permit.
• Counts in your favour: Caring for children or relatives, a disability or a chronic illness is weighed in your favour during selection.

For the two prizes:

• Thesis: You finished a doctoral thesis (for the 3,000 EUR prize) or a master's/diploma thesis (for the 1,500 EUR prizes) on a diversity theme.
• Field of study: Social sciences, economics, law or medical sciences.
• Grade and timing: The thesis was graded "Sehr gut" (very good) and formally approved at the JKU after 1 January 2024.
• Language: The thesis is written in German or English.

How to apply

Send your application by email to the JKU's equality department by 15 March 2026. A subject-specific jury, chaired by the Vice-Rector for Research, decides on all three awards. It may interview applicants or call in reviewers. You hear back 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. The stipend is only for women in technical and science doctorates at one university, and the prizes only for very good JKU theses on diversity finished since 2024. That keeps the applicant pool small, so a candidate who clearly fits one track has solid prospects. Only one stipend and three prizes are given, so a strong, well-documented case matters.