Austrian Academy of Sciences - DOC [Doctoral Fellowship Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences]

What the DOC fellowship gives you

A scholarship is a grant that enables you to focus entirely on your research. You will receive 52,080 EUR per year to write your doctoral thesis at a university in Austria for up to 36 months (the grant may also be awarded for 24 or 30 months). This allows you to focus entirely on your doctoral thesis, rather than having to take on part-time jobs. In addition, you can apply for up to 500 EUR per year for conference travel or research stays, as well as up to 1,900 EUR per year as a childcare allowance. Funding is paid either via a university contract or directly to you as a self-employed researcher. The programme is administered by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) and funded by the Austrian Ministry of Science and other public institutions.

Who can apply

• Level: You are currently undertaking a PhD programme at a university in Austria or are about to start one. You must submit your application before the start of your studies or during your first year of study.
• Master's degree: You have obtained your Master’s degree, and no more than two years have elapsed since then (calculated from 1 July of the year of application). This time limit is extended to four years in the case of care responsibilities, military or civilian service, disability or chronic illness.
• Field of study: Any area of basic research. No thematic restrictions.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. The only requirement is that they are studying in Austria.
• Research track record (from 2026): You meet at least two of the following three criteria: a published or accepted-for-publication academic work (article, paper, conference presentation, poster, preprint); research abroad (stays abroad, international projects, active participation in conferences, study abroad); or academic engagement (contribution to research projects, teaching, organisation of events, science communication).
• Supervision: You have a line manager who has written a positive recommendation confirming that you are capable of carrying out the project.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the OeAW’s online form. The application deadline is 15 September, and the submission period begins in mid-August. Your application will go through several stages: first, a pre-selection based on your field of specialisation, followed by an assessment by international experts, and finally a decision by the jury. The process takes around nine to ten months; the results will be announced in June or July of the following year.

How realistic are your chances?

Around 18 to 20% of the applications are approved; consequently, competition in this field is fierce and the international peer-review process is rigorous. Your proposed doctoral research carries the greatest weight. From 2026 onwards, you will also need to demonstrate a genuine early research profile, not just good grades. If your project is original and your CV already includes publications, periods spent abroad or involvement in research activities, your prospects are good.