Austria Scholarships for Students 2026

Austria offers strong scholarship programs for international students. The OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation) manages the largest portfolio, including the Ernst Mach Grant (€1,050/month) and the Bertha von Suttner scholarship for PhD students. Individual universities add their own merit-based awards. This guide covers every major funding option for 2026, with deadlines, amounts, and application tips.

OeAD Scholarships: Austria's Main Funding Body

The OeAD (Österreichischer Austauschdienst) administers the Austrian federal government's scholarship programs. It funds roughly 3,500 international students and researchers per year. All OeAD scholarships are applied for through the OeAD Scholarship Portal (grants.oead.at). Most require online submission plus postal delivery of certified documents.

Ernst Mach Grant — Worldwide

The flagship scholarship for international students from non-EU countries. Named after the Austrian physicist Ernst Mach.

Detail	Information
Monthly stipend	€1,050 (Master), €1,150 (PhD)
Duration	4–10 months
Travel allowance	Up to €1,000
Health insurance	Included (ÖGK)
Tuition	Waived at public universities
Eligibility	Non-EU nationals, max age 35 (Master), 40 (PhD)
Application deadline	March 1 for the following academic year

The Ernst Mach Grant covers your living costs, health insurance, and tuition. At €1,050/month, it meets the financial proof requirement for the student residence permit. Competition is strong — roughly 1 in 5 applicants receive the grant. Strong academic records and a clear research proposal make the difference.

Ernst Mach Grant — ASEA-UNINET

A regional variant for students from Southeast Asian countries that are members of the ASEA-UNINET network (Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and others). Same stipend amounts as the worldwide version. Additional priority is given to applicants from ASEA-UNINET partner universities. Deadline: March 1.

Franz Werfel Scholarship

For university lecturers and researchers specializing in Austrian literature, history, or cultural studies. Stipend: €1,150/month for 4–9 months. Applicants must work at a university in their home country and teach subjects related to Austria. This is a niche scholarship with fewer applicants — acceptance rates are higher than general grants.

Richard Plaschka Scholarship

For doctoral students in humanities and social sciences from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe. Stipend: €1,150/month for 4–10 months. Open to candidates from countries like Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, North Macedonia, and Ukraine. Research must relate to Austrian or Central European history, culture, or society.

Bertha von Suttner Award

Named after Austria's Nobel Peace Prize laureate, this award supports PhD students working on topics related to migration, integration, and intercultural dialogue. The OeAD manages the selection process.

Detail	Information
Amount	€18,000/year (paid monthly)
Duration	Up to 3 years
Eligibility	PhD students at Austrian universities, any nationality
Topic requirement	Migration, integration, or intercultural dialogue
Deadline	February each year

At €1,500/month, this is one of Austria's most generous PhD grants. It covers living expenses comfortably. Recipients must be enrolled at an Austrian university and actively pursuing doctoral research. The award is competitive — about 10–15 positions per year.

University-Specific Scholarships

Austrian universities offer their own scholarships on top of OeAD programs. Here are the main ones.

University of Vienna (Uni Wien)

• Uni:docs Fellowship: €30,000/year for up to 3 years for doctoral candidates. Competitive: ~40 positions per year across all faculties. Deadline: usually November.
• Leistungsstipendium (merit scholarship): €750–1,500 per year for students with excellent grades. Apply through the Studienservice after completing at least 2 semesters.
• Förderstipendium (research grant): Up to €1,000 for master thesis research costs.

TU Wien

• Leistungsstipendium: €750–1,500/year for top-performing students.
• TU Wien Doctoral College: Fully funded PhD positions with a salary of €2,300–2,600/month (gross). These are employment contracts, not scholarships.

University of Graz (Uni Graz)

• Leistungsstipendium: Up to €1,500/year based on academic achievement.
• Completion grant (Abschlussstipendium): €700/month for up to 6 months to finish your thesis.

University of Innsbruck (Uni Innsbruck)

• Leistungsstipendium: €750–1,500/year.
• Doctoral Scholarship Programme: €18,000/year for selected PhD students in priority research areas.

WU Wien (Vienna University of Economics and Business)

• WU Scholarship for International Students: Tuition waiver plus €500/month for 2 semesters. Aimed at high-achieving master students from non-EU countries. ~20 awards per year.
• Leistungsstipendium: €750–1,500/year.

University	Scholarship	Amount	Level
Uni Wien	Uni:docs Fellowship	€30,000/year	PhD
TU Wien	Doctoral College	€2,300–2,600/month	PhD (employed)
WU Wien	International Scholarship	Tuition + €500/month	Master
Uni Innsbruck	Doctoral Programme	€18,000/year	PhD
Uni Graz	Completion grant	€700/month (6 months)	Master/PhD

Studienbeihilfe: Austrian State Study Grant

The Studienbeihilfe is Austria's state financial aid for students. Managed by the Studienbeihilfenbehörde (study grant authority). Monthly payments depend on your income, parental income, and living situation.

Who Is Eligible?

• Austrian citizens
• EU/EEA citizens who have lived in Austria for at least 5 years
• Recognized refugees
• Non-EU students are not eligible (apply for OeAD scholarships instead)

How Much?

Maximum: €923/month for students living away from their parents. Average: €400–600/month. The amount decreases as parental income increases. A student with parents earning €40,000/year combined might receive €500/month. Parents earning €70,000+ usually disqualify you.

Apply at stipendium.at. You need your parents' tax declarations (Einkommensteuerbescheide), your enrollment confirmation, and proof of address. Processing takes 6–8 weeks. Apply in September for the winter semester.

External and International Scholarships

DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)

German students studying in Austria can apply for DAAD grants. The PROMOS program funds short stays (1–6 months) at Austrian universities with €300/month plus a travel allowance.

Erasmus+ Mobility Grants

EU students coming to Austria on Erasmus+ exchange receive €390–450/month (Austria is a Group 2 country). Your home university manages the application. Top-up grants exist for students with disabilities or from low-income backgrounds.

Home Country Scholarships

Many countries fund their citizens studying abroad. India's National Overseas Scholarship covers tuition and €1,000/month. Turkey's YÖK scholarships cover specific programs. China's CSC (China Scholarship Council) funds master and PhD students with full living expenses. Check your home country's education ministry.

Application Tips for Success

1. Start 6–9 months early. OeAD deadlines are in February–March. University deadlines vary. Research timelines first.
2. Write a specific research proposal. Generic statements get rejected. Name your Austrian supervisor, reference Austrian research groups, and connect to the university's strengths.
3. Get strong recommendation letters. Academic references matter most. Brief your referees on the specific scholarship requirements.
4. Demonstrate academic excellence. GPA equivalents matter. OeAD expects top 20% of your cohort. Translate your grades into the Austrian grading scale (1–5, where 1 is best).
5. Apply to multiple scholarships. OeAD, university-specific, and home-country grants are often combinable. A Leistungsstipendium (€1,500) plus an OeAD travel grant works together.

For more on costs, read our guide to studying costs in Austria 2026. Explore the full costs and funding guide or learn about admissions and applications at Austrian universities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest scholarship for international students in Austria?

The Ernst Mach Grant from OeAD is the main scholarship for non-EU students. It pays €1,050/month (Master) or €1,150/month (PhD) for 4–10 months. It covers health insurance and waives tuition at public universities. For PhD students, the Uni Wien Uni:docs Fellowship (€30,000/year) is the most generous single-university award.

Can non-EU students get financial aid in Austria?

Non-EU students cannot access the Studienbeihilfe (Austrian state grant). But they can apply for OeAD scholarships, university Leistungsstipendien, and home country scholarships. The Ernst Mach Grant specifically targets non-EU applicants. University fee waivers and research grants are also open to all nationalities.

When is the OeAD scholarship deadline?

Most OeAD scholarships have a March 1 deadline for the following academic year. The Bertha von Suttner Award deadline is February. University-specific deadlines vary — check each institution's website. Apply at least 6 months before your planned start date.

Can I combine multiple scholarships?

In most cases, yes. A Leistungsstipendium from your university can be combined with an OeAD travel allowance. However, two full living-cost scholarships usually cannot be stacked. OeAD rules state that recipients of a full Ernst Mach Grant cannot simultaneously hold another OeAD scholarship. Check the specific terms of each award.

What GPA do I need for Austrian scholarships?

OeAD expects applicants in the top 20% of their cohort. On a 4.0 scale, aim for 3.5+. On the Austrian scale (1–5), a grade average of 1.0–2.0 is competitive. University Leistungsstipendien require above-average performance — an Austrian grade average of 1.5 or better in your completed courses.

Do Austrian scholarships cover tuition?

OeAD scholarships (Ernst Mach, Franz Werfel) waive tuition at public universities. You still pay the ÖH fee (€22.70/semester). University Leistungsstipendien are cash awards that can be used toward tuition, but they do not automatically waive it. Studienbeihilfe recipients get tuition waived if they are within the standard study duration.

Are there scholarships for English-taught programs?

Yes. The Ernst Mach Grant and WU International Scholarship fund English-taught programs. Most university Leistungsstipendien are language-neutral — they reward grades, not language of instruction. English-taught master programs at TU Wien, WU Wien, and Uni Wien all qualify for the same scholarships as German-taught ones.

How competitive are Austrian scholarships?

The Ernst Mach Grant has an acceptance rate of roughly 20%. Uni:docs (Uni Wien PhD) accepts about 40 out of 300+ applicants. University Leistungsstipendien are less competitive — most students with above-average grades receive something. The key is applying to multiple programs simultaneously.