Deadline:
September 15, 2025
Location(s)
Austria
Vienna
Overview
The Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) is Austria’s largest non-university research and science institution. Its statutory mission is to “promote science in every way”. The DOC Fellowship Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences offers funding for highly qualified doctoral candidates in all areas of research. The fellowships in the amount of 38,000 Euros allow young researchers to dedicate themselves to working in focused fashion to complete their doctoral thesis within a clear timeframe.
Details
The DOC Fellowship Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences offers funding for highly qualified doctoral candidates in all areas of research. The fellowships are intended to allow young researchers to dedicate themselves to working in focused fashion to complete their doctoral thesis within a clear timeframe.
Applications for a DOC Fellowship are open to highly qualified doctoral candidates of all ages who
- completed their Diplom or Master’s degree no more than two years prior to applying (dated from 1 July of the year of submission),
- are writing their doctoral or PhD thesis at an Austrian university,
- can prove that they fulfil the admission requirements for doctoral/PhD studies at their respective university, and
- submit a project exposé and a reference from their doctoral supervisor.
The basis of assessment of the applicant’s academic qualifications are the course of studies (including length and marks), stays abroad already completed and the list of publications. Some international experts also require the applicant’s diploma or master’s thesis.
Objective
With the DOC fellowship program, the Austrian Academy of Sciences supports highly qualified doctoral candidates from all areas of research. The fellowship is intended to enable young researchers to devote themselves to writing their dissertation in a concentrated manner and with a clear time frame.
Opportunity is About
Eligibility
Candidates should be from:
Description of Ideal Candidate
Target group
Highly qualified young scientists from all areas of basic research are invited to apply for a DOC fellowship from the OeAW who:
- are pursuing their doctoral or PhD studies in Austria,
- have completed their diploma or master's degree no more than two years before the application (deadline is 1 July of the year of submission) and
- can prove that they meet the admission requirements for doctoral or PhD studies in accordance with the regulations of the respective university.
Furthermore, application is conditional on the submission of a dissertation exposé, the positive opinion of the dissertation supervisor including proof of the provision of any material resources necessary for the implementation of the dissertation project.
Dates
Deadline: September 15, 2025
Cost/funding for participants
Research stay abroad
It is possible to carry out a stay abroad of up to 12 months as part of a DOC fellowship.
It is also possible to carry out the dissertation project within the framework of a cotutelle agreement between an Austrian and a foreign university within the framework of a DOC fellowship.
Duration of funding
DOC fellowships are granted for a period of 24, 30 or 36 months and must be commenced within four months of the announcement of the decision of the committee. In justified exceptional cases, a later start is also possible.
If there is proof of (child) care obligations or (chronic) illness or disability, the fellowship can be claimed as a part-time fellowship. In this case, the funding period can be extended by a maximum of half of the approved time.
Amount of funding
The amount of the fellowship is adjusted every year; for more information, see: Fellowship Rates
These amounts are personnel costs.
In addition, a travel allowance of max. 500 euros per year can be applied for to fund active participation in scientific meetings/conferences or for research stays abroad.
A cost subsidy of max. 1,900 euros (gross/gross) per year is available for childcare.
Payment
The DOC fellowships are paid out in annual installments either directly to the fellowship recipients ("new self-employed") or to the university or non-university research institution in Austria where the fellowship recipients are employed.
The prerequisite for employment within the framework of the DOC program is the commitment of the institute management that a workplace can be made available if the fellowship is awarded.
There is no provision for payment of the fellowship for a period prior to the actual start of the fellowship.
Conditions
Additional employment (e.g. teaching assignments, tutorials) is permitted if they promote the program goal – the successful writing of the dissertation – and do not take up more than ten hours per week. Exceptions to this regulation must be clarified with the Department of Fellowships & Awards of the OeAW.
Should fellows fail to adhere to the conditions of the fellowship, they must pay back their funding.
Un-save Opportunity
Internships, scholarships, student conferences and competitions.
