University of Innsbruck (Innsbruck/Austria) - Merit scholarship

Merit Scholarship of the University of Innsbruck

As a reward for outstanding academic achievement, you will receive a one-off payment between 750 EUR and 1,500 EUR. There is no monthly payment: the money is paid as a one-off sum, and you may apply once per academic year. The exact amount depends on how your application compares with those of other applicants. The grant is awarded by the University of Innsbruck in accordance with the Austrian Student Financial Aid Act (StudFG) and is administered by the University’s Faculty Services.

Who can apply

• University: You are studying for a Bachelor’s, Master’s, Diplom or PhD degree at the University of Innsbruck.
• Field of study: Open to all degree programmes. Each faculty sets its own minimum grade and ECTS requirements.
• Nationality: You are a citizen of the EU or the EEA (the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway), or a foreign national or stateless person with equivalent legal status.
• Grades: Your average mark from marked examinations and written tests must not exceed 2.0. Most faculties set a stricter limit, which is often between 1.2 and 1.5.
• Credits earned: During the past academic year (1 October to 30 September), you achieved the minimum number of ECTS credits set by your faculty, which is usually around 50 for Bachelor’s and Master’s students. Only examinations with an actual mark count; ‘pass’ marks do not count.
• Study duration: You are still within the standard duration of your degree programme plus one additional semester. A job or a second degree programme does not extend this period.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the LFU:online student portal. For the 2025/2026 academic year, the application window runs from 31 August 2026 to 2 October 2026. Late applications will not be considered. Applications are ranked according to credit points and average marks, and the Dean’s Offices decide who is offered a place.

How realistic are your chances?

This award is presented exclusively to students in Innsbruck who achieve a high grade threshold – often between 1.2 and 1.5 – as well as the credit points required for a full academic year. This limits the pool of candidates to the top students in each faculty. If your academic performance is strong and you meet the credit and grade thresholds set by your faculty, your chances are good. Places are awarded on a merit basis, and there is no guarantee of a grant – so the better your grades, the higher you will rank.