ERNST MACH GRANTS
Study or Conduct Research in Austria with a Scholarship: Ernst Mach Grants 2026 Open to ...
- Offered by OeADProvider
- ~1-36 monthsDuration
- For study & researchPurpose
- AustriaHost Country
- Multiple programsStructure
- Age limits ~35 or ~45Eligibility
At a glance
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Funding
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All countries
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Ernst Mach Grants
Provider
The Ernst Mach Grants are a comprehensive programme supporting international students and researchers who wish to undertake study or research stays in Austria. Funded by Austria's Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research (BMFWF) and administered by OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation), the programme offers several distinct scholarship schemes tailored for different academic levels and purposes. Established to foster international academic exchange, these grants facilitate short-term research, semester exchanges at Universities of Applied Sciences, and even full doctoral studies. Key components include the Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide, supporting young researchers for 1 to 9 months, and the Ernst Mach Grant for Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences, which allows undergraduate and graduate students to study for 4 to 10 months. The programme also features specialized grants like the Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant for former OeAD scholarship holders and the Ernst Mach Grant – ASEA-UNINET, which caters to applicants from specific ASEAN countries for durations up to 36 months for doctoral studies. With multiple application deadlines, such as December 1st for the Worldwide grant and March 1st for ASEA-UNINET, interested individuals must carefully identify the correct scheme matching their profile. The programme has supported countless scholars, contributing significantly to Austria's research landscape since its inception. Treat the figures and dates here as estimates and confirm current-cycle details on the official website.
What's covered
- Monthly Scholarship — Financial support towards living costs in Austria, amount varies by programme and academic level, typically around ~EUR 1,050 – 1,150 (est.) for graduates/researchers, and ~EUR 750 (est.) for undergraduates.
- Accommodation — Assistance with finding accommodation, often including a monthly allowance for housing costs or directly covering accommodation in OeAD-managed dormitories (actual coverage varies per grant).
- Health Insurance — Coverage for health insurance costs during the grant period, ensuring access to medical services in Austria.
- Travel Costs — For some programmes, a travel allowance may be provided, especially for applicants from distant countries (e.g., those under ASEA-UNINET), typically a one-time payment of ~EUR 500-1,000 (est.).
- Tuition Fees — In many cases, tuition fees at Austrian higher education institutions are waived or covered for scholarship recipients, though this should be confirmed for the specific programme.
- Research Support — Access to university facilities and supervision for research projects, facilitating academic development during the stay.
How to apply
Applying for an Ernst Mach Grant involves selecting the appropriate programme based on your profile and submitting an online application. It is crucial to verify the specific requirements and deadlines for your chosen grant.
- Identify the Correct Grant Programme — Carefully read through the different Ernst Mach Grant schemes (e.g., Worldwide, Universities of Applied Sciences, ASEA-UNINET, Follow-Up) and determine which one best matches your nationality, academic level, age, and study/research goals in Austria.
- Prepare Your Application Documents — Gather all necessary documents, which typically include academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, a detailed research proposal (for research grants), proof of admission or invitation from an Austrian institution, and a copy of your passport. Requirements vary by programme.
- Complete the Online Application — Access the OeAD online application system during the designated application period for your chosen grant. Fill out all sections accurately and upload the required documents as specified.
- Submit Before the Deadline — Ensure your complete application is submitted online before the specific deadline for your programme. Note that deadlines vary significantly between the different Ernst Mach grants.
Eligibility
NationalityGenerally open to international students and researchers from all countries, with specific restrictions or inclusions for certain grants (e.g., ASEA-UNINET for specific ASEAN countries, Worldwide for non-Austrian citizens, Fachhochschule for non-European universities).
Study LevelRanges from undergraduate students (for Universities of Applied Sciences) to graduates, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and young academics/lecturers. Some grants target specific levels, such as the Follow-Up Grant for postdoctoral researchers.
Academic StandingApplicants are typically expected to have a strong academic record or a well-defined research project proposal, especially for research-focused grants. Admission to an Austrian institution is often a prerequisite or a concurrent requirement.
Age LimitMost programmes have an age limit, commonly 35 years for students and young researchers, and up to 45 years for postdoctoral researchers or lecturers, depending on the specific grant.
Previous Scholarship (for Follow-Up Grant)For the Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant, applicants must have previously received an OeAD-administered scholarship, and at least three years must have passed since their last funded research visit to Austria.
Applicants must carefully review the specific requirements for each individual Ernst Mach Grant scheme, as eligibility criteria vary significantly between programmes. The 'All countries' listing is general, but specific grants may have narrower nationality requirements.
Eligible countries
All countries
Deadlines
Ernst Mach Grant – worldwide2026-12-01
Ernst Mach Grant for Universities of Applied Sciences2027-02-01
Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant2027-02-01
Ernst Mach Grant – ASEA-UNINET2027-03-01
Ernst Mach–ASEA-UNINET Short-term Research Grant
Selection
Recipients for the Ernst Mach Grants are selected based on their academic qualifications, the quality and relevance of their proposed research or study plan, and how well they meet the specific eligibility criteria of each grant programme. The selection process considers the applicant's academic achievements, letters of recommendation, and the feasibility of their project. For some grants, such as those through ASEA-UNINET, affiliation with member institutions is a key factor. The overall aim is to support international academic exchange and strengthen cooperation with Austrian higher education institutions.
Verified sources
- Ernst Mach Grants - OeAD (Official)oead.atofficial
- Study or Conduct Research in Austria with a Scholarship: Ernst Mach Grants 2026 Open to International Students and Researchers - Global South Opportunitiesglobalsouthopportunities.comannouncement
About the provider
The Ernst Mach Grants are a programme of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research, administered by OeAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation. OeAD promotes international mobility and cooperation in education and science, facilitating over 20,000 international exchanges annually. It was established in 1961.
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 are the Ernst Mach Grants?
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The Ernst Mach Grants are a collection of scholarship programmes funded by Austria's Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research and administered by OeAD. They support international students and researchers for study or research stays in Austria.
What does the scholarship cover?
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The coverage varies by programme but typically includes a monthly scholarship for living costs, health insurance, and potentially a travel allowance. Some grants may also cover or waive tuition fees at Austrian institutions.
What is the award value of an Ernst Mach Grant?
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The award value is not uniformly specified but generally provides financial support for living expenses. For instance, grants for graduates and researchers often range around ~EUR 1,050 – 1,150 per month (est.), with specific amounts depending on the programme and academic level.
Who is eligible to apply for these grants?
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Eligibility is broad but program-specific, generally open to international students, graduates, PhD researchers, and young academics. Key factors include nationality, academic level, and age, with most programmes having an age limit of 35 or 45 years.
Which countries are eligible for the Ernst Mach Grants?
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Most Ernst Mach Grants are open to applicants from all countries except Austria. However, specific programmes like the ASEA-UNINET grant are restricted to applicants from certain ASEAN member countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, and Vietnam.
Which study levels are supported by the grants?
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The grants support a range of academic levels including undergraduate (for Universities of Applied Sciences), graduate students, doctoral (PhD) candidates, and postdoctoral researchers or lecturers.
What is the application deadline for the Ernst Mach Grants?
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There isn't one universal deadline. Deadlines vary significantly by programme; for example, the Worldwide grant is December 1, the Universities of Applied Sciences and Follow-Up grants are February 1, and the ASEA-UNINET grant is March 1. The Short-Term Research Grant is ongoing.
How do I apply for an Ernst Mach Grant?
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You must first identify the specific grant programme that fits your profile, then prepare the required documents and submit an online application through the OeAD portal during the specified application period for that grant.
What documents are required for the application?
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Commonly required documents include a CV, motivation letter or research proposal, academic transcripts and diplomas, proof of admission or invitation from an Austrian institution, letters of recommendation, and a copy of your passport.
How are scholarship recipients selected?
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Selection is based on academic merit, the quality and relevance of the proposed study or research project, and adherence to the specific eligibility criteria of each grant. Reviewers assess the applicant's profile and the potential impact of their stay in Austria.
What is the duration of the grants and can they be renewed?
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Grant durations vary widely, from as short as one month for research stays to up to 36 months for doctoral studies under the ASEA-UNINET programme. Renewal policies depend on the specific grant, but many are for fixed, non-renewable periods.
Where can I confirm the current details and deadlines?
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All current details, specific eligibility requirements, and precise deadlines for the Ernst Mach Grants should be confirmed directly on the official OeAD programme page.