OEAD – AUSTRIA'S AGENCY FOR EDUCATION AND INTERNATIONALISATION
OeAD Ernst Mach Grant (Austria)
full · masters, phd
- FundedScholarship type
- Study in AustriaHost country
- ~€1,150/moGraduate stipend
- Master’s, PhD, researchLevels
- Several sub-programmesTracks
- OeAD platformApplication
At a glance
full
Funding
€14k
Max amount
Mar 1, 2027
Deadline
Varies by sub-programme (worldwide and developing-country tracks)
Country
OeAD – Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Provider
The Ernst Mach Grant is a scholarship programme of the Austrian government, administered by the OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation). It funds international students and researchers to study or conduct research at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences, across several sub-programmes targeting different regions and purposes. The most common track provides a monthly stipend of around €1,150 for graduate students (with higher rates for postdoctoral researchers), plus accident and health insurance and help finding accommodation. Some sub-programmes — such as the Ernst Mach Grant for developing countries — also cover tuition and provide a travel allowance. Applicants apply through the OeAD's online grant platform, choosing the sub-programme that fits their country and purpose. Deadlines vary by sub-programme (often in spring or autumn), and selection is based on academic merit and the quality of the study or research plan agreed with an Austrian host.
What's covered
- Monthly stipend — ~€1,150/month for graduate students; higher (~€1,400) for postdoctoral researchers.
- Insurance — Accident and health insurance for the grant period.
- Accommodation support — Assistance finding accommodation (and, in some tracks, an accommodation allowance).
- Tuition (some tracks) — Tuition coverage in certain sub-programmes (e.g. the developing-country track).
- Travel (some tracks) — A travel allowance in specific sub-programmes.
How to apply
Select the Ernst Mach sub-programme that matches your country and goal, then apply through the OeAD's online grant platform by that sub-programme's deadline.
- Identify the sub-programme — Find the Ernst Mach track for your country/purpose on the OeAD/Grants.at platform.
- Secure a host (if needed) — For research grants, arrange a host institution/supervisor in Austria.
- Prepare documents — Assemble transcripts, a study/research plan, CV, references, and a letter of acceptance where required.
- Apply on the OeAD platform — Submit the online application via the OeAD/Grants.at system by the deadline.
- Selection — A committee reviews applications on merit and plan quality.
- Grant & arrival — Selected grantees receive the award and begin their study/research stay in Austria.
Eligibility
OriginFrom an eligible country for the chosen sub-programme (worldwide, developing-country, or regional tracks).
LevelMaster's students, doctoral candidates, or postdoctoral researchers, depending on the track.
HostA host Austrian institution/supervisor is usually required for research grants.
AgeAge limits apply in some tracks (commonly under ~35 for certain sub-programmes).
Academic meritA strong academic record and a clear study/research plan.
Choose the correct Ernst Mach sub-programme for your country and purpose; each has its own deadline (often spring or autumn). Apply through the OeAD grant platform.
Eligible countries
Varies by sub-programme (worldwide and developing-country tracks)
Deadlines
Varies by sub-programme2027-03-01
Selection
Each Ernst Mach sub-programme runs its own selection through the OeAD and Austrian academic reviewers, assessing academic merit, the quality and feasibility of the study/research plan, and (for research grants) the fit with the Austrian host. Criteria and quotas vary by track.
Verified sources
- OeAD Ernst Mach Grant — Grants.atoead.atofficial
About the provider
The OeAD is Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation, the national agency for education and research mobility. On behalf of the Austrian government, it administers the Ernst Mach Grant and other scholarship programmes that bring international students and researchers to Austria and support Austria's academic cooperation worldwide.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Ernst Mach Grant?
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An Austrian government scholarship administered by the OeAD that funds international students and researchers to study or conduct research at Austrian institutions, through several sub-programmes for different regions and purposes.
Who is eligible?
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Students and researchers from eligible countries for the chosen sub-programme — master's students, doctoral candidates, or postdocs — usually with a strong record and (for research) an Austrian host.
What does it cover?
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Typically a monthly stipend of ~€1,150 for graduate students (higher for postdocs), accident and health insurance, and accommodation support; some tracks also cover tuition and travel.
What are the sub-programmes?
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Ernst Mach has several tracks — including a worldwide track, a developing-country track, and regional/agreement-based tracks — each with its own eligibility, benefits, and deadline.
How do I apply?
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Through the OeAD's online grant platform (Grants.at), choosing the sub-programme that fits your country and purpose, by that sub-programme's deadline.
When are the deadlines?
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They vary by sub-programme, with many around ~March and some autumn rounds. Check the specific Ernst Mach track on the OeAD platform.
Do I need a host in Austria?
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For research grants you normally need a host institution/supervisor in Austria. Course-based study tracks may not require a host beyond admission to the programme.
Which study levels are funded?
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Master's, doctoral, and postdoctoral levels are funded depending on the sub-programme, with stipends scaled accordingly.
Is tuition covered?
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In some sub-programmes (notably the developing-country track) tuition is covered; in others the stipend is the main benefit and tuition rules follow the host institution. Check your track.
Do I need to speak German?
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Many programmes, especially at master's and research level, are available in English. German can help with daily life and is required for German-taught programmes.
How competitive is it?
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Competitive and track-dependent — selection weighs academic merit and the quality of your study/research plan, with limited places per sub-programme.
How long does the grant last?
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It depends on the track and purpose — from short research stays of a few months up to longer support for a full study or research period, as defined by the sub-programme.