PhD in Austria 2026: How to Apply for a Funded PhD (Prae Doc, Supervisor or ISTA)
There are three ways to start a funded PhD in Austria: a paid Prae Doc job, contacting a supervisor directly, or a structured programme like ISTA. Learn how salary, admission and funding work, plus key 2026/27 deadlines for international and Pakistani students.
Graduates Corner Team
Editorial standardsPhD in Austria: quick answer
There are three main ways to start a PhD in Austria, and they work differently: (1) apply for an advertised paid PhD job called a Prae Doc (predoctoral university assistant), (2) contact a professor directly to get a supervisor's agreement and then look for funding, or (3) apply to a structured PhD programme such as the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) or a university doctoral school.
The key lesson: in Austria, PhD supervision, PhD admission and PhD funding can be three separate things. Getting one does not automatically give you the others. So instead of asking "Where is the scholarship in Austria?", ask "How do admission and funding work at this university?"
What are the three ways to do a PhD in Austria?
Imagine you have finished an MS or MPhil, for example in Pakistan, and want to do a PhD in Austria. You found a professor whose research matches your Master's thesis. Now you have three questions:
Should I email the professor directly?
Should I look for a PhD vacancy at the university?
Or should I apply to a doctoral programme (doctoral school)?
All three routes exist in Austria, and each one is important in its own way.
Route 1: What is a Prae Doc position in Austria?
When you search for PhD jobs in Austria, you will see one term again and again: Prae Doc or Predoctoral University Assistant (Universitätsassistent/in prae doc).
A Prae Doc is a paid employment contract at a university. You work on your doctoral research and often help with teaching. These positions are linked to a specific research project or offered through the university's doctoral schools.
What to check in a Prae Doc job ad:
Does the project match your research background?
What is the salary and contract length (often 3 to 4 years)?
How many hours per week (usually 30)?
Are there teaching duties?
What are the language requirements (English, German or both)?
Important: according to the University of Vienna, even if you get a Prae Doc job, you must still apply separately for admission to the doctoral programme. It does not happen automatically. Job selection is not automatic PhD admission.
How much does a PhD student earn in Austria?
University of Vienna states that its 2026 Prae Doc positions pay €2,786.10 gross per month for 30 hours per week, paid 14 times per year. Other universities, research institutes and funded projects may use different collective-agreement rates, hours or contract terms, so check the individual vacancy.
Route 2: Should I contact a professor directly for a PhD in Austria?
If you cannot find an open vacancy but a professor works in your field, you can contact them directly with a short research proposal.
In Austria, a standard PhD usually requires a supervisor's agreement first. At the University of Vienna, your admission application must include a confirmation from a supervisor who is willing to supervise you.
But understand one big difference: a professor who agrees to supervise you is not a guarantee of funding. So when you email a professor, don't only ask "Can you accept me as a PhD student?" Also ask:
"Are there any funded doctoral opportunities in your research group, or would you recommend a relevant funding route?"
Funding options if you have a supervisor but no position:
Research projects funded by agencies such as the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), which often hire PhD students
Upcoming Prae Doc calls in the professor's department or doctoral school
Scholarships for international doctoral students (check eligibility for your country)
Email template to contact a professor for a PhD in Austria
Subject: Prospective PhD student: [your research topic]
Dear Professor [Name],
I recently completed my MS in [field] at [university], where my thesis focused on [topic]. I read your paper "[paper title]" and I am very interested in your group's work on [specific topic].
I would like to pursue a PhD in this area. I have attached my CV and a short research proposal. Are there any funded doctoral opportunities in your research group, or would you recommend a relevant funding route?
Thank you for your time.
Kind regards, [Your name]
Route 3: ISTA PhD programme, a fully funded structured PhD in Austria
One of the best and most modern PhD models in Austria is the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).
Research areas: Biology, Chemistry & Materials, Computer Science, Data Science & Scientific Computing, Mathematics, Neuroscience and Physics.
Why ISTA stands out:
Fully funded: PhD students receive an employment contract and a monthly salary with social security. In recent calls, contracts were for 5 years and salaries were paid 14 times a year.
Bachelor's degree holders can apply: ISTA accepts a Bachelor's or Master's degree, so strong 4 year BS graduates can apply directly.
Flexible first year: in recent calls, students did coursework and rotations before joining a research group.
One intake per year, starting on 15 September.
ISTA 2027 intake key dates:
Application portal opens: late October 2026
Applicant deadline: 8 January 2027
Reference letters deadline: 12 January 2027
Interviews: late February to mid March 2027 (mostly remote)
Programme starts: 15 September 2027
All application documents must be in English.
University of Vienna doctoral schools: Autumn Call 2026 example
The University of Vienna runs regular calls for funded Prae Doc positions through its doctoral schools.
Autumn Call 2026 at a glance:
More than 10 fully funded doctoral positions
Duration: 3 to 4 years, 30 hours per week
Application window: 15 September to 15 October 2026, 14:00 CEST (this call has now closed)
Doctoral schools: Chemistry; Cognition, Behavior and Neuroscience; Computer Science; Earth and Space Sciences; Microbiology and Environmental Science; Pharmaceutical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences
Requirements: a subject related Master's or diploma degree by the start of employment and a strong academic record. Applications must be in English and submitted online.
Watch the University of Vienna careers pages for the next call.
How does PhD admission work at an Austrian university?
Admission to the doctoral programme is a separate step, whether you have a Prae Doc job, a scholarship or project funding. At the University of Vienna, you usually need:
A project description of up to 4 pages, plus references
A supervision confirmation from a University of Vienna supervisor
A motivation letter (1 page) and CV (up to 3 pages)
Bachelor's and Master's certificates and transcripts, legalised where required
German and/or English skills, generally at C1 level
You apply online via u:space. Applications are accepted year round: for the winter semester from mid-July to the end of February, and for the summer semester from early January to the end of September. A decision usually arrives within 3 to 6 weeks.
Action plan for MS and MPhil students from Pakistan and other countries
Ask yourself these three questions:
Is there an advertised funded position? Search for Prae Doc and PhD vacancies on university job portals.
Do you have your own idea and a matching professor? Contact the professor about supervision and funding.
Do you want a structured programme? Apply through ISTA or a university doctoral school portal.
Then prepare a strong CV and a short research proposal, get your degrees translated and legalised early, check language requirements, and track deadlines, because many calls are open for only a few weeks.
Key takeaways: PhD in Austria
Austria has three main PhD routes: Prae Doc jobs, direct supervisor contact and structured programmes.
Prae Doc positions are paid employment, usually 30 hours per week for 3 to 4 years.
A Prae Doc job does not equal PhD admission: apply for admission separately.
A supervisor's agreement does not guarantee funding.
ISTA offers fully funded PhDs and accepts Bachelor's graduates. The 2027 deadline is 8 January 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do a funded PhD in Austria as an international student?
Yes. International students, including candidates from Pakistan, can apply for Prae Doc positions and structured programmes like ISTA if they meet the academic and language requirements.
What is a Prae Doc in Austria?
A Prae Doc (predoctoral university assistant) is a paid employment contract at an Austrian university. You work on your PhD research and often help with teaching, usually 30 hours per week for 3 to 4 years.
Does a Prae Doc job automatically give me PhD admission?
No. At the University of Vienna, Prae Doc employees must apply for admission to the doctoral programme separately.
How much does a PhD student earn in Austria?
Can I apply for a PhD in Austria with a Bachelor's degree?
At ISTA, yes. ISTA accepts applicants with a Bachelor's or Master's degree. Most university Prae Doc positions require a Master's or diploma degree.
When is the ISTA PhD application deadline for 2027?
The applicant deadline is 8 January 2027 at 3:00 PM CET, and the programme starts on 15 September 2027.
Do I need German for a PhD in Austria?
Not always. Many science PhDs use English, and ISTA requires all documents in English. Some universities and fields require German, often at C1 level, so check each programme.
Official sources and further reading
University of Vienna, admission to a doctoral programme: https://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/phd-process/admission/
University of Vienna, Prae Doc Autumn Call: https://careers.univie.ac.at/en/praedoc/autumn-call
ISTA PhD application and admission: https://phd.ista.ac.at/phd-application-admission/
Find more funded PhD positions on Graduates Corner: https://graduatescorner.com/phd-positions
Austrian Science Fund, 2026 doctoral-candidate salary rates: FWF personnel costs and salaries
Information checked on 15 October 2026. Salaries, deadlines and requirements change between calls, so always confirm on the official website before applying.
#PhDinAustria #PhD #FundedPhD #PraeDoc #UniversityOfVienna #ISTA #PhDJobs #PhDStudent #StudyInAustria #ResearchInAustria #GraduatesCorner
