Austria Scholarships 2026–2027: Eligibility, Funding and How to Apply

Austria is an attractive study destination for international students, researchers and graduates. If you are looking for Austria scholarships for international students, one of the best places to start your search is grants.at, Austria’s database for scholarships and research grants.

grants.at is not a single scholarship. It is a large official database that brings together funding opportunities from different organizations, universities, government institutions and other funding bodies. The database contains more than 1,200 entries covering scholarships, grants, allowances, prizes and research funding.

The database is operated by OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation. OeAD also provides information about its own scholarship programmes for international students and researchers coming to Austria.

For students from countries such as Afghanistan, grants.at can be particularly useful because its search system allows applicants to filter opportunities by country of origin, target country, academic level, field of study and type of grant.

However, applicants should understand that eligibility and funding are different for every programme. You should always check the official page of the individual scholarship before applying.

Opportunity Overview

Detail	Information
Opportunity	Austria Scholarships and Research Grants through grants.at
Database	grants.at
Main Organization	OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation
Host Country	Austria
Study Levels	Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and research levels, depending on the programme
Eligible Countries	Varies by scholarship
Fields of Study	Multiple academic disciplines
Funding Type	Scholarships, grants, allowances, prizes and research funding
Duration	Varies by programme
Language Requirements	Varies by university and programme
Deadline	Varies by programme

What Is grants.at?

grants.at is Austria’s largest database for scholarships and research grants. It includes funding opportunities for students, graduates and researchers in different academic fields.

The database includes opportunities funded by:

• Austrian government institutions
• Universities
• European institutions
• International organizations
• Ministries
• Regional governments
• Foundations
• Associations
• Companies

The database covers both opportunities for people coming to Austria and opportunities for Austrian students and researchers going abroad.

This makes grants.at useful for students who do not know the name of a particular scholarship but want to search for funding based on their academic profile.

Is grants.at itself a scholarship?

No.

grants.at is a scholarship and research funding database. It does not mean that every person who registers on the website receives financial support.

Each listed opportunity has its own:

• Eligibility requirements
• Application process
• Funding amount
• Deadline
• Required documents
• Selection procedure

The organization responsible for the specific programme determines how applications are submitted.

Austria Scholarships for International Students

OeAD lists several scholarship and funding programmes for international students and researchers coming to Austria.

Current OeAD information includes opportunities at different academic levels, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD and postdoctoral research. However, not every programme is open to applicants from every country.

Some programmes are designed for specific regions or countries, while others are international.

For example, the Ernst Mach Grant worldwide is aimed at young researchers from all disciplines and countries except Austria who want to carry out a research project in Austria. The current programme information states a duration of 1–9 months and an age limit of 35.

There are also programmes for students at Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences and other specialized opportunities.

Are Full-Degree Scholarships Available in Austria?

This is an important point for international students.

If you want to complete an entire Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD programme in Austria, you should not assume that grants.at contains a large number of fully funded degree scholarships.

The official grants.at FAQ states that there are hardly any funding programmes for international students who want to complete their whole degree programme in Austria. It recommends filtering the database by country of origin, full-degree grants, target group and study/research area.

OeAD also explains that there are only a limited number of scholarships for international students who want to complete an entire degree programme in Austria.

Therefore, students should search broadly and also check individual Austrian universities for institutional scholarships.

Examples of Austria Scholarship Opportunities

The following are examples of programmes currently listed or described by OeAD. They are not all available to every international student.

Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide

The Ernst Mach Grant worldwide is designed for young researchers from different academic disciplines and countries outside Austria who want to conduct a research project in Austria.

According to the current OeAD information:

• Target group: Young researchers
• Academic fields: All disciplines
• Countries: All countries except Austria
• Duration: 1–9 months
• Age limit: 35 years
• Application period: September to December 1

This programme is primarily a research opportunity rather than a general full-degree scholarship.

Ernst Mach Grant for Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences

OeAD also offers an Ernst Mach Grant for international students studying at Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences, known as Fachhochschulen.

The programme is intended for international study stays and has specific requirements concerning the student’s university and study arrangement.

Applicants should therefore read the official programme information carefully before assuming that they can apply directly.

Scholarships for Master’s Studies in International Relations

OeAD also lists the Scholarships of the Scholarship Foundation of the Republic of Austria for Master’s Degree Studies in the Field of International Relations.

This is a specialized Master’s scholarship rather than a general scholarship for all fields. Its eligibility requirements, target countries and application conditions should be checked on the official programme page before applying.

Austria Scholarships for Afghan Students

Students from Afghanistan should pay particular attention to the Country of origin filter on grants.at.

Afghanistan is available as a country of origin in the grants.at database. However, this does not mean that an Afghan applicant is automatically eligible for every Austrian scholarship.

Eligibility depends on the individual programme.

When searching, Afghan students should check:

1. Whether Afghanistan is an eligible country.
2. Whether their academic level is eligible.
3. Whether their field of study is eligible.
4. Whether the scholarship is for a full degree or a short-term stay.
5. Whether admission to an Austrian university is required.
6. Whether a language certificate is required.
7. Whether the scholarship covers tuition fees.
8. Whether personal financial resources are still required.

A Specific Opportunity for Afghan Applicants

One important example is the Erhard Busek Grant, for which OeAD’s published 2025/26 information specifically included Afghanistan among the eligible countries.

The programme was designed for highly qualified graduates from non-European developing countries to complete a two-year Master’s programme in Austria. The published information listed a monthly scholarship rate of €1,300 and a one-time travel allowance of up to €1,200. Tuition fees were not paid directly by the scholarship, but scholarship holders were exempted from those fees by the admitting higher education institution.

Important: OeAD currently states that the 2025/26 Erhard Busek Grant round has ended and that no further call is currently planned. Therefore, applicants should not treat the 2025/26 information as an open 2026/27 scholarship.

This is a good example of why applicants should always check the current official call before preparing an application.

What Funding Can Austria Scholarships Provide?

There is no single funding package for scholarships found through grants.at.

Depending on the programme, financial support may include:

• Monthly scholarship payments
• Travel allowances
• Accommodation support
• Research funding
• Tuition-related support
• Insurance
• Other allowances

Some scholarships may cover only part of the costs.

For example, the published Erhard Busek Grant information included a monthly scholarship and travel allowance, but tuition fees were handled through an exemption from the admitting institution rather than being paid directly by the scholarship.

For this reason, applicants should never assume that a scholarship is fully funded simply because it provides a monthly stipend.

Always check the official funding section.

Eligibility Requirements

There is no universal eligibility requirement for all Austria scholarships.

However, common criteria may include:

Academic Qualification

Applicants normally need an appropriate academic qualification for the programme.

For example, a Master’s scholarship may require a Bachelor’s degree.

Country of Origin

Some scholarships are open internationally, while others are restricted to specific countries or regions.

Academic Field

Some programmes accept students from many disciplines, while others focus on particular fields.

Age

Certain scholarships have age limits.

For example, the current Ernst Mach Grant worldwide lists an age limit of 35 years.

University Admission

Some scholarships require applicants to have admission to an Austrian university before they can receive or apply for the scholarship.

This requirement can be especially important for full-degree programmes.

Language Skills

Language requirements depend on the programme and university.

An English-taught programme may require proof of English proficiency, while a German-taught programme may require German-language skills.

Do not assume that IELTS, TOEFL or German certification is required for every scholarship. Check the individual programme.

Required Documents

The required documents depend on the scholarship.

However, international applicants should be prepared for documents such as:

• Passport
• Academic certificates
• Academic transcripts
• Curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter
• Recommendation letters
• Language certificate, if required
• University admission letter, if required
• Research proposal, for research programmes
• Proof of previous academic or research experience
• Other programme-specific documents

OeAD advises applicants to check the specific application criteria of the authority receiving the application and submit complete documents on time.

Practical Advice

Do not wait until the final days to prepare your documents.

Some documents, such as recommendation letters, university admission documents and certified academic records, may take time to obtain.

How to Find an Austria Scholarship on grants.at

The grants.at search system can help you narrow down scholarships according to your profile.

Step 1: Open grants.at

Go to the official grants.at database.

Step 2: Select Your Country of Origin

Choose your country in the Country of origin field.

For Afghan applicants, select Afghanistan.

Step 3: Select Austria as the Target Country

If you want to study or conduct research in Austria, select Austria as the target country.

Step 4: Select the Type of Grant

The database includes different types of funding, such as:

• Grants for whole degree programmes
• Semester or one-year grants
• Summer courses
• Practical training
• Subsidies and allowances
• Awards
• Research grants
• Research allowances

Step 5: Select Your Academic Level

Depending on your profile, choose the relevant target group, such as:

• Undergraduates
• Graduates
• Postgraduates
• PhD students
• Postdocs
• Researchers

Step 6: Select Your Academic Field

Choose your field of study or research.

The database covers areas including natural sciences, technical sciences, medicine, agricultural sciences, social sciences, humanities and arts.

Step 7: Read the Full Programme Information

Do not stop at the search results.

Open the scholarship information and check:

• Eligibility
• Funding
• Required documents
• Duration
• Deadline
• Application method
• Host institution
• Language requirements

Step 8: Apply Through the Correct Organization

Follow the application instructions for the individual scholarship.

grants.at is a database, so the actual application process can be handled by a university, OeAD or another funding organization.

Application Deadline

There is no single application deadline for Austria scholarships listed on grants.at.

Each programme has its own deadline.

For example, the current OeAD information lists December 1 as the closing date for online applications for the Ernst Mach Grant worldwide, while other OeAD programmes have different deadlines.

Some opportunities may already be closed, while others may have future deadlines.

What About 2027?

Students planning to begin their studies in 2027 should not automatically use deadlines from the 2026 application cycle.

Scholarship providers can change:

• Deadlines
• Funding amounts
• Eligibility rules
• Available fields
• Number of scholarships
• Application procedures

Always check the newest official call before publishing or submitting an application.

Important Tips for Applicants

1. Do Not Treat grants.at as One Scholarship

The database contains many different programmes.

Your eligibility depends on the specific opportunity.

2. Check the Official Provider

After finding a scholarship, go to the official programme page and read the complete requirements.

3. Do Not Assume Every Scholarship Is Fully Funded

Check exactly what the funding covers.

4. Check Whether University Admission Is Required

Some programmes require admission before the scholarship process.

5. Prepare Documents Early

Academic documents, recommendation letters and language certificates can take time.

6. Check Your Financial Needs

Even with a scholarship, you may have expenses that are not covered.

OeAD recommends ensuring that applicants have sufficient funds and not relying only on future employment in the destination country.

7. Apply Before the Deadline

Scholarship applications are competitive. OeAD states that fulfilling the requirements does not create a legal claim to receive a scholarship. Applicants should submit complete documents to the correct office and within the required timeframe.

8. Check University Scholarships Separately

OeAD notes that some Austrian universities offer their own institutional scholarships. Applicants should contact the international office of their target university for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is grants.at a fully funded scholarship?

No. grants.at is a database of scholarships, grants and research funding. The amount and type of funding depend on the individual programme.

Can Afghan students apply for Austria scholarships?

Yes, Afghan students can find scholarships for which they may be eligible, but eligibility depends on each programme. Afghanistan is included as a country of origin in the grants.at database.

Are there full-degree scholarships in Austria?

There are some opportunities, but they are limited. The official grants.at FAQ states that there are hardly any funding programmes for international students who want to complete an entire degree programme in Austria.

Does Austria offer Master’s scholarships for international students?

Yes. OeAD lists several Master’s-level funding opportunities, although eligibility varies by country, programme and field.

Is IELTS required for Austria scholarships?

Not for every scholarship. Language requirements depend on the individual university and programme.

What documents are required?

Documents vary. Common documents can include academic records, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, language certificates and university admission documents.

Does grants.at accept scholarship applications?

Not necessarily. grants.at is primarily a database. The application procedure is determined by the organization responsible for the specific funding programme.

What is the deadline for Austria scholarships?

There is no single deadline. Each scholarship has its own application period.

Final Thoughts

Austria offers a range of scholarships, grants and research funding opportunities for international students and researchers. grants.at is one of the best starting points for finding these opportunities because it allows users to search by country, academic level, field and type of funding.

However, students should not assume that every opportunity is fully funded or open to all nationalities.

For Afghan applicants, the best approach is to select Afghanistan as the country of origin, choose Austria as the target country, select the appropriate academic level and field, and then carefully check the official requirements of each result.

Most importantly, always verify the latest deadline, funding amount, eligibility requirements and application procedure before applying.

Official Application

grants.at – Austrian Database for Scholarships and Research Grants:
Official grants.at scholarship database

OeAD – Grants and Scholarships:
Official OeAD scholarships and grants page

grants.at – Search Tips:
Official grants.at search guide

Other Best Scholarships

digital-governance-scholarship

DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany 2027

Abdullah Gül University Scholarship in Turkiye 2027