Zuschuss für selbstorganisierte Aufenthalte

What the grant covers

You get a monthly top-up towards the higher cost of living abroad while you carry out a study or research stay that you organised yourself. The exact amount depends on the destination country. The grant comes from the Office for International Relations at the University of Graz. It supports three kinds of stay: research for your final thesis or dissertation (lab work, fieldwork, or work in archives, libraries and collections), subject-specific courses or summer schools that teach academic methods, and attending regular courses at a host institution that is not already a Graz exchange partner. If you have a disability, a chronic illness or other special needs, an extra grant may be possible depending on available funds. The money is paid in two parts: 80% before the stay and 20% after you hand in your final documents. Travel costs, language courses and conference attendance are not funded, and there is no legal entitlement to the grant.

Who can apply

• University: You are enrolled in a regular degree programme at the University of Graz.
• Age: You are at least 19 years old.
• Study progress: By the time your stay begins, you have completed at least the first year of a basic degree in the field relevant to the stay.
• Field of study: Open to all subjects.
• Where you go: Anywhere in the world, at a host institution you found and arranged yourself. You must show a written confirmation of your place when you apply.
• Level: Open to all study levels, from Bachelor to doctorate.
• One per thesis: You can only apply once per thesis or dissertation.
• Length: The stay must last at least 5 days. The maximum depends on the purpose, for example up to 1 month for Bachelor thesis research, up to 4 months for a dissertation, and up to 10 months for attending courses.

How to apply

You apply online through the Mobility-Online database, reached via your personal card in UNIGRAZonline, at least two months before your stay begins. A committee decides in selection meetings held every two to three months between October and June, and you get the result by email. Only complete applications are accepted.

How realistic are your chances?

This grant is open only to University of Graz students who have already organised a concrete stay abroad, so the field is limited to people with a clear, documented plan rather than a broad public. If you meet the study-progress rule, can prove your place in writing and submit a complete application early, your prospects are good. Because there is no legal entitlement and funds are limited, apply well ahead of your start date and the next selection meeting.