The Ultimate Guide to Scholarships and Grants for International Students in Austria
Dreaming of studying in the heart of Europe, surrounded by stunning Alps and a rich cultural history and looking for ways to fund your education? Austria is not only home to world-class universities but also offers a range of financial support options to make your academic dreams a reality. From government-funded programs to university-specific scholarships and international collaborations, there are many opportunities for undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and research students. While navigating the scholarship landscape can be challenging, this comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about scholarships and grants in Austria for international students.
Table of Contents
Why Study in Austria?
Austria is home to world-class universities such as the University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien), and University of Graz. With its central location in Europe, rich cultural heritage, and affordable tuition fees, Austria attracts thousands of international students each year.
While tuition fees are relatively low compared to other European countries, living costs can add up. This is where scholarships and grants become essential to help students focus on their studies without financial stress.
Understanding the Funding Landscape in Austria
First, a crucial reality check: fully funded scholarships for entire Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs in Austria are highly competitive and relatively rare. Most funding is designed for short-term research exchanges, specific PhD positions, or partial tuition support. However, with diligent research and a strong application, securing financial aid is absolutely possible.
Your most valuable tool in this search is Grants.at, Austria’s most comprehensive official database for scholarships and research grants. Use it to filter opportunities by your nationality, field of study, and academic level. You can also use our Financial Resources Page to find details on how to apply for this scholarships.
Top Scholarships and Grants for International Students
Here’s a curated list of some of the most prominent funding options available.
1. Austrian Government Scholarships (Administered by the OeAD)
The OeAD agency is a primary gateway for government-funded opportunities. Their programs are often targeted towards specific regions and are excellent for exchange students and researchers.
- Examples: Franz Werfel Grant, Richard Plaschka Grant, and Doctoral Research Grants
- Coverage: Monthly stipend, accident and health insurance, accommodation assistance
Ernst Mach Grant
This is a flagship program for international students and researchers. It supports short-term research stays, exchange semesters, and postgraduate studies in Austria. It’s aimed at students from non-EU countries who are pursuing studies in natural sciences, technical sciences, human medicine, health sciences, agricultural sciences, social sciences, humanities, or arts.
- Eligibility: Bachelor’s (from third year), master’s, PhD students, and postdocs
- Coverage: Monthly stipend, health insurance, accommodation assistance
- Application: Apply via grants.at, Austria’s official scholarship database
Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) Scholarships
Targeted at students from ADC partner countries, these scholarships support undergraduate, master’s, or PhD studies, covering tuition, a monthly stipend, and travel costs.
2. Erasmus+ Programme
A cornerstone of European education, Erasmus+ is not a scholarship itself but a massive umbrella program that funds international exchanges.
How it works: If your home university has a bilateral agreement with an Austrian university, you can apply for an Erasmus+ study or traineeship grant.
What it covers: It provides a monthly mobility grant to help cover living expenses abroad. The amount varies depending on the destination country.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMDs): For a fully funded master’s experience, consider an EMJMD. These are prestigious, integrated programs offered by a consortium of universities across Europe. Many include Austrian partners. You get a full scholarship covering tuition, travel, and a living allowance.
3. CEEPUS (Central European Exchange Programme for University Studies)
CEEPUS is specifically designed for mobility in Central and Eastern Europe.
- Focus: It funds network-based academic exchanges, meaning you apply within a network of universities focused on a specific academic field.
- Eligibility: Primarily for citizens of CEEPUS member countries. It’s perfect for short-term study periods or summer schools within the region, including Austria.
- Benefits: Recipients typically receive a exemption from tuition fees and a scholarship meant to cover living costs.
- Application: Online via the CEEPUS platform
4. University-Specific Scholarships
Many Austrian universities offer their own merit-based or need-based scholarships. These are often limited but worth investigating.
Helmut Veith Stipend (TU Wien)
A famous, fully funded scholarship for exceptional female master’s students in computer science. It covers all tuition fees and provides an annual stipend of €6,000.
TU Wien Scholarships
Offers a range of scholarships for non-EU international students in STEM fields, often providing a tuition fee waiver and a monthly stipend.
University of Vienna Scholarships
Provides support for outstanding international students at the master’s and PhD levels, including tuition waivers and research grants.
IST Austria PhD Program
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria offers **fully-funded PhD positions** in biology, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, and related fields, including a generous salary and research budget.
Webster Vienna Private University Scholarships
Offers partial scholarships for undergraduate and master’s students, covering a significant portion of tuition fees.
Eligibility and funding vary depending on the institution. Check each university’s website or the grants.at database for details.
5. Other Notable Funding Opportunities
1. Vienna BioCenter Postdoctoral Program: A prestigious, fully-funded fellowship for international postdoctoral researchers in life sciences.
2. Klaus Liebscher Economic Research Scholarship: For postdoctoral researchers to conduct economic research at the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB).
3. Laura Bassi Scholarship (University of Graz): A partially-funded scholarship for master’s and PhD students in all subjects.
Application Tips for Success
1. Start Early: Begin your search at least 12 months before your intended start date. Deadlines come quickly!
2. Target Wisely: Don’t waste energy on scholarships where you don’t meet the core criteria (nationality, academic level, field of study). Use filters on **Grants.at**.
3. Prepare a Stellar Dossier: Most applications require:
Academic transcripts and diplomas
A compelling Motivation Letter
A strong CV/Resume
Letters of Recommendation
For research positions: a detailed Research Proposal
4. Proofread: Ensure your application is free of errors and professionally presented.
5. Apply Broadly: Increase your chances by applying to multiple relevant opportunities.
Scholarship Comparison Table for International Students in Austria (2025–2026)
| Scholarship / Program | Funding Coverage | Eligibility | Application Platform | Typical Deadlines |
| Ernst Mach Grants | Monthly stipend, health insurance, accommodation assistance | Bachelor (from 3rd year), Master’s, PhD, Postdocs | grants.at | Feb–Mar annually |
| Erasmus+ Programme | Tuition waiver, travel allowance, monthly stipend | Students at partner universities | Home university Erasmus+ Office | Varies per university |
| CEEPUS Exchange Program | Monthly grants, tuition waivers, accommodation assistance | Students from CEEPUS member countries | ceepus.info | Jan & Jun annually |
| Helmut Veith Stipend (TU Wien) | €6,000 annually + tuition fee waiver | Female Master’s students in Computer Science | TU Wien official website | Nov annually |
| OeAD Scholarships | Monthly stipend, accident & health insurance, accommodation support | Varies by program; includes research and doctoral students | grants.at | Varies by scholarship |
| Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s | Full tuition fees, travel costs, insurance, living allowance | All nationalities, excellent academic record | EMJMD Portal | Oct–Jan annually |
| University-Specific Scholarships | Partial to full tuition fee waivers, monthly stipends (varies) | Depends on each university’s criteria | University websites | Varies per university |
| Vienna BioCenter PhD Program | Full funding for 3–4 years, including living allowance and research support | PhD candidates in life sciences | Vienna BioCenter official site | Apr & Nov annually |
| IST Austria PhD Scholarships | Full funding, living allowance, research and training support | PhD students in science and technology | IST Austria website | Varies (often Jan & Sep) |
| Franz Werfel Grant (OeAD) | Monthly stipend, accident & health insurance, accommodation support | PhD and postdoc researchers in German language & literature | grants.at | Mar & Sep annually |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any age limits for scholarships?
It depends entirely on the specific program. Always check the official eligibility criter
What does a typical scholarship cover?
A “fully funded” scholarship usually includes a tuition waiver, a monthly stipend for living expenses (€1,000 – €1,500+ for students), and health insurance. Some also include a travel allowance.
I am already studying in Austria. Can I still apply?
For OeAD-administered scholarships, typically no. However, you can use Grants.at to find other funding options open to students already residing in Austria.
When is the best time to apply?
Deadlines vary. For programs starting in the winter semester (October), application periods are often between November and March of the same year. Check official websites meticulously.
Final Thoughts
Securing a scholarship in Austria requires patience, research, and a compelling application. While full degree funding is competitive, numerous options for exchanges, research stays, and partial funding exist. By leveraging resources like Grants.at, targeting the right programs like Ernst Mach or Erasmus+, and preparing a strong application, you can unlock the door to an incredible educational experience in Austria.
Start your search today and take the first step towards your academic adventure in Austria!
