Looking for scholarships to study in Austria? While Austrian public universities already offer incredibly affordable tuition (just €727/semester), several scholarship programs can further reduce your costs—including the prestigious Ernst Mach Grant that provides €1,300/month (₹1.17 lakh/month) to cover your living expenses.
Austria’s scholarship landscape works differently from the US or UK. Most Austrian scholarships are research-focused grants rather than tuition waivers (since tuition is already low). The main funding body is OeAD (Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation), which administers government scholarships for international students.
In this comprehensive guide, we cover every scholarship option available to Indian students for the September 2026 intake—from government grants and university-specific funding to alternative financial support options.
🎓 Top Austria Scholarships 2026 Quick Overview
- 🏆 Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide: €1,300/month for 1-9 months
- 📚 Ernst Mach FH Grant: €1,300/month for 4-10 months
- 🔬 Ernst Mach Follow-up: €1,300/month for postdocs
- 📅 Main Deadline: 1 February 2026
- 🌐 Main Platform: grants.at + OeAD portal
⚠️ Important: Understanding Austrian Scholarships
Before diving into specific scholarships, Indian students need to understand key differences in Austria’s funding landscape:
Key Facts About Austrian Scholarships
- No full-degree scholarships: OeAD does NOT offer scholarships for complete Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD programs
- Research grants: Most scholarships are for short-term research stays (1-9 months)
- Already enrolled = not eligible: You typically cannot apply after starting studies in Austria
- Low tuition anyway: Since tuition is only €727/semester, focus on living cost support
🏆 Major Scholarships for Indian Students
1. Ernst Mach Grant – Worldwide
The flagship scholarship for international researchers coming to Austria:
Eligibility Requirements
- Enrolled in a PhD program at a non-Austrian university OR postdoc/lecturer
- Have NOT studied/researched in Austria in the last 6 months
- Clear research proposal with Austrian host institution
- Excellent academic record
- Maximum age: 35 years
2. Ernst Mach Grant – Universities of Applied Sciences (FH)
For students at non-European universities wanting to study at Austrian Fachhochschulen:
Best For
- Indian students at non-European universities (India qualifies)
- Bachelor’s students with 4+ completed semesters
- Master’s students wanting exchange semester in Austria
3. Ernst Mach Follow-Up Grant
For former OeAD scholarship holders from developing countries:
💡 EXPERT INSIGHT
“Here’s the reality check: Austrian scholarships won’t cover your full degree. But the good news? You don’t need them. Tuition is only ₹1.3 lakh/year, and with part-time work (20 hours/week at €10-12/hour), you can earn €400-600/month to cover living costs. Focus on the Ernst Mach Grant if you’re doing research, but don’t let scholarship hunting delay your application.”
— Saumitra Rajput, Founder, Kadamb Overseas
📋 Complete List of Austrian Scholarships for Indians
🎯 How to Apply for Austrian Scholarships
Step 1: Search grants.at Database
Visit grants.at and filter by:
- Country of origin: India
- Target country: Austria
- Target group: Your level (undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate)
- Field of study: Your discipline
Step 2: Contact Austrian Host Institution
For research grants, you need:
- Identify an Austrian professor/department for your research
- Get a letter of acceptance from the host institution
- Develop a clear research proposal
Step 3: Prepare Documents
- CV/Resume
- Academic transcripts
- Research proposal (for research grants)
- Two recommendation letters from university lecturers
- Letter of acceptance from Austrian host
- Language certificates (if required)
- Passport copy
Step 4: Apply Online
Submit through the OeAD online portal before the deadline. Applications typically open in October for February deadlines.
Get Expert Scholarship Guidance
We’ll help you identify the right scholarships and strengthen your applications.
🏫 University-Specific Scholarships
Some Austrian universities offer their own funding:
University of Vienna
- Merit-based fee waivers for exceptional students
- Research assistantships (paid positions)
- Check: univie.ac.at/scholarships
TU Wien
- Excellence scholarships for top applicants
- Research positions with stipends
WU Vienna (Business)
- WU Top League Scholarship for excellent students
- Merit-based partial tuition support
University of Graz
- Doctoral positions with salaries
- Research assistant positions
💡 Alternative Funding Options
Since full scholarships are rare, consider these alternatives:
Part-Time Work (Most Common)
- Allowed: 20 hours/week during semester
- Earnings: €400-600/month (₹36,000-54,000)
- Jobs: Research assistant, tutor, hospitality, retail
- Reality: Most Indian students fund 50-70% of living costs through work
Education Loans from India
- SBI Scholar Loan: Up to ₹20 lakh, collateral-free
- HDFC Credila: Competitive rates for European education
- Interest rates: 9.5%-13.5% p.a.
- Advantage: Austria’s low costs mean smaller loans needed
Research Positions
- PhD positions at Austrian universities are often paid (€1,500-2,500/month)
- Look for university job listings at “uni-X.ac.at/jobs”
- These are employment, not scholarships, but cover all costs
🎓 STUDENT SUCCESS STORY
Meera Sharma from Delhi applied for the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide for her PhD research in Environmental Sciences at University of Vienna. “I received €1,300/month for 9 months, which covered all my living expenses. The key was having a strong research proposal and getting acceptance from an Austrian professor beforehand. I now continue as a paid PhD researcher at €2,200/month.”
PhD Researcher, University of Vienna, Environmental Sciences 🌿
📅 Key Deadlines for 2026-27
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, no. OeAD does NOT offer scholarships for complete degree programs (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD). Most Austrian scholarships are for short-term research stays (1-9 months). However, since tuition is only €727/semester (₹65,000), the financial barrier is already very low compared to UK/USA.
The Ernst Mach Grant provides €1,300 per month (approximately ₹1,17,000/month). This covers living expenses in Austria. Duration varies: 1-9 months for research grants, 4-10 months for FH grants. OeAD can also assist with accommodation booking at €220-550/month.
No, for most OeAD scholarships. You typically cannot have studied or researched in Austria in the 6 months before the grant period. You must apply BEFORE starting your studies. This is why scholarship hunting shouldn’t delay your main application—focus on admission first.
Ernst Mach grants are competitive. Success depends on: strong research proposal, clear academic record, confirmed Austrian host institution, and relevance of your research to Austria. Having a professor willing to supervise you significantly improves chances. Apply early and prepare thoroughly.
Realistically, most Indian students fund their Austrian education through: (1) Family savings for the low tuition (₹1.3L/year), (2) Part-time work (20 hours/week earning ₹36-54K/month), and (3) Modest education loans. Ernst Mach is great if you qualify, but don’t depend on scholarships—Austria is affordable without them.
✅ Scholarship Application Checklist
- ☑️ Search grants.at for eligible programs
- ☑️ Identify Austrian host institution/professor
- ☑️ Get acceptance letter from host
- ☑️ Prepare research proposal (for research grants)
- ☑️ Gather academic transcripts and certificates
- ☑️ Obtain two recommendation letters
- ☑️ Check language requirements
- ☑️ Submit online before deadline (usually 1 February)
- ☑️ Follow up with OeAD if no response within 2 months
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Saumitra Rajput
Founder & European Education Expert
14+ years helping Indian students navigate European education and funding. 500+ students placed with 97% visa success rate.