Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide 2027/28: International Research Opportunity in Austria 

The Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide 2027/28 offers an opportunity for eligible doctoral candidates, postgraduates, postdoctoral researchers and university lecturers from outside Austria to undertake a short-term research stay in Austria. 

The programme is open to applicants from all countries and disciplines, making it particularly relevant to Nigerian researchers looking to gain international research experience and build academic connections in Austria. OeAD 

What is the Ernst Mach Grant? 

The grant is administered by the OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalization and supports international academic exchange and cooperation with Austrian higher-education institutions. 

For the 2027/28 academic year, successful applicants can undertake a research stay lasting between one and nine months. OeAD 

Importantly, this is not a scholarship for a complete Master’s or PhD programme in Austria. It is designed for researchers who want to temporarily undertake research or academic work in Austria and return to their existing academic pathway. OeAD 

Who Can Apply? 

According to OeAD, applicants must generally fall into one of these categories: 

• PhD/doctoral students currently pursuing their doctorate outside Austria. 

• Postgraduates and postdocs seeking a research stay in Austria as part of their academic career. 

• Postdoctoral researchers or lecturers working at a university outside Austria. 

Applicants must be 35 years old or younger when the research stay begins. For postgraduate/postdoc applicants who have completed their studies, the relevant qualification must have been obtained from a university outside Austria after September 30, 2025, subject to the programme’s specific conditions. OeAD 

How Nigerians Can Benefit 

For Nigerian researchers, the opportunity can provide a pathway to: 

• Conduct research at an Austrian university. 

• Work with an Austrian academic supervisor. 

• Develop international academic networks. 

• Strengthen research experience and collaboration. 

• Gain exposure to Austrian higher-education and research institutions. 

• Build international connections that may support future academic collaborations. 

The programme accepts applications from all countries, so Nigerian applicants can apply if they meet the eligibility requirements. OeAD 

The Most Important Requirement: Find an Austrian Supervisor 

One of the most important steps is securing a written confirmation of supervision from an Austrian university lecturer. 

Applicants do not need to enroll as regular students at an Austrian university. However, they must have an Austrian academic who agrees to supervise/support their proposed research project. OeAD 

OeAD says it does not find supervisors for applicants. Candidates should therefore identify Austrian universities and academics whose research interests closely match their own and contact suitable professors directly. OeAD 

How to Apply 

To give yourself a realistic chance of benefiting from the opportunity: 

1. Confirm your eligibility. 

Check your academic status, age, qualification date and previous residence/research activity in Austria against the official requirements. 

2. Develop a clear research proposal. 

Explain what you want to research, why the project matters, your methodology, and what you hope to achieve during your stay. 

3. Identify an Austrian university. 

Search for Austrian institutions and researchers whose expertise matches your research area. 

4. Contact a potential supervisor. 

Send a professional academic enquiry together with relevant information about your research and proposed stay. 

5. Obtain the supervision of confirmation. 

This is a key part of the application. 

6. Prepare your documents carefully. 

OeAD advises applicants to ensure their applications are complete, coherent, error-free and meet the required minimum word/character limits. OeAD 

7. Submit the online application before the deadline. 

Deadline 

Application deadline: December 1, 2026, at 23:59 CET. 

The deadline was brought forward from the previously indicated date, so applicants should rely on the current OeAD announcement rather than older information circulating online. OeAD 

The 2027/28 research stays can begin from September 2027. OeAD 

Important: Who Is Not Eligible? 

You generally cannot use this grant to fund a complete or partial regular Master’s or PhD programme in Austria. 

Applicants who are already regularly studying in Austria, permanently resident there, or who completed most of their academic education in Austria may also be ineligible. Applicants must also meet the programme’s restrictions concerning recent residence or research activity in Austria. OeAD 

Official Application and Eligibility Information 

Check the full eligibility requirements and application process: 

Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide – OeAD 

Official OeAD scholarship overview: 

OeAD – Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation 

“International research collaboration can turn a good academic idea into a stronger global contribution.” 

The Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide 2027/28 is worth considering for Nigerian PhD students, postgraduates, postdoctoral researchers and university lecturers who want to spend time conducting research in Austria. 

However, applicants should not wait until the deadline. Finding an Austrian academic supervisor, developing a strong research proposal and preparing the required documents can take time. 

If you meet the requirements, start by identifying a suitable Austrian research institution and contacting potential supervisors, then complete the official OeAD application before December 1, 2026. OeAD