✨ Should I Apply for Ernst Mach Grant – Austrian Government Scholarship?
Instant AI-powered application intelligence
10-15% (Highly competitive global program)
Competition
🌍 Overview
💰
Award Amount
1,150 EUR to 1,250 EUR per month
⏱
Duration
1 to 9 months (extensions are possible only in rare, specific cases)
🗓
Deadline
February 1st (Annual deadline for most categories)
🔬
Fields
Natural Sciences, Technical Sciences, Human Medicine, Health Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts
🏆
Awards/Year
Approximately 300 to 400 per year
🏛️
Provider
OeAD (Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation)
📊
Acceptance
Varies by country of origin and specific academic field
The Ernst Mach Grant is the flagship scholarship program of the Austrian government, managed by the OeAD. It aims to promote international academic exchange by supporting students and young researchers from all over the world to spend a period of study or research at an Austrian university. The grant covers essential living costs, insurance, and provides a waiver of tuition fees, making it one of the most prestigious opportunities for international scholars in Central Europe.
👥 Who Should Apply
Applicants must be non-Austrian citizens, meet the age limit (usually 35 or 40), be enrolled in a degree program abroad, and have a supervisor in Austria.
🏛️ Host University
All accredited Austrian Universities and Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen)
🤝 Sponsor
Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research (BMBWF)
🔬 Fields of Study
Natural Sciences, Technical Sciences, Human Medicine, Health Sciences, Agricultural Sciences, Social Sciences, Humanities, Arts
✨ Key Benefits
Provides a monthly living allowance, comprehensive health and accident insurance, a potential travel subsidy, and a waiver of university tuition fees in Austria.
🎯 Target Students
International exchange students, PhD candidates, and young researchers
🏷 Tags
Austria
Research Grant
International Students
Europe
Fully Funded
Graduate Studies
💸 Funding Breakdown
Tuition
Yes (Scholarship holders are generally exempt from tuition fees at public universities)
Living Stipend
1,150 EUR (for students/graduates) or 1,250 EUR (for post-docs) per month
Total Award
1,150 EUR to 1,250 EUR per m
✈️ Travel: Up to 1,000 EUR (Depending on the country of origin, primarily for non-European developing countries)
🏠 Accommodation: No (Stipend is intended to cover rent; OeAD provides accommodation booking services for a fee)
💊 Health Insurance: Yes (Health and accident insurance is mandatory and arranged by OeAD, paid from the grant)
🔄 Renewable: No
💳 App Fee: 0 EUR (The application process is free of charge)
🎓 Tuition Coverage
Yes (Scholarship holders are generally exempt from tuition fees at public universities)
🏠 Living Stipend
1,150 EUR (for students/graduates) or 1,250 EUR (for post-docs) per month
🏡 Accommodation
No (Stipend is intended to cover rent; OeAD provides accommodation booking services for a fee)
✈️ Travel Allowance
Up to 1,000 EUR (Depending on the country of origin, primarily for non-European developing countries)
💊 Health Insurance
Yes (Health and accident insurance is mandatory and arranged by OeAD, paid from the grant)
🎁 Other Benefits
Exemption from tuition fees, visa assistance, and access to the OeAD network and cultural events
📋 Renewal Conditions
N/A (The grant is for a fixed term and is generally non-renewable)
✅ Eligibility Requirements
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
International students currently enrolled in a university outside of Austria or researchers holding a PhD
🎓 Academic Level
Undergraduate, Graduate, Post-graduate, PhD, and Post-doc
📊 Minimum GPA
High academic standing (typically top 20% of class or equivalent)
🗣️ English Requirement
Proficiency in English or German (B2 level or higher recommended depending on the host institution's language of instruction)
🎂 Age Limit
35 years for students/graduates; 40 years for post-docs (at the time of application)
💼 Work Experience
Not required for students; highly valued for post-doctoral applicants
🏆 Leadership
Not mandatory, but extracurricular leadership is considered a positive selection factor
💰 Financial Need
Not a primary criterion; selection is based on academic merit and research quality
🎯 Target Students
International exchange students, PhD candidates, and young researchers
📝 Application Requirements
Essay / SOP
Yes (A comprehensive description of the study or research project to be carried out in Austria)
Rec Letters
Yes (Two letters of recommendation from university lecturers from the home university)
Interview
No (Selection is primarily based on the written application and supporting documents)
Application Fee
0 EUR (The application process is free of charge)
Documents Required
- Academic Transcripts
- Passport / National ID
- Yes (Two letters of recommendation from university lecturers from the home university) Recommendation Letters
- CV / Resume
- Personal Statement / Essays
- Proficiency in English or German (B2 level or higher recommended depending on the host institution's language of instruction)
- Interview: No (Selection is primarily based on the written application and supporting documents)
- Min GPA: High academic standing (typically top 20% of class or equivalent)
📋 Application Process
Secure a formal 'Confirmation of Supervision' from an Austrian professor well in advance, as your application cannot be processed without it.
💡 Insider Tip: Clearly articulate why your research or study must take place specifically in Austria and how it benefits your home institution.