FWF ASTRA Awards Scholarship 2026 , Austria (Fully Funded)

The FWF ASTRA Awards are a prestigious career funding program launched by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) to attract and retain exceptionally talented researchers in Austria. Designed for advanced postdoctoral researchers, the program supports long-term, high-impact research projects and helps researchers transition into academic leadership positions at internationally competitive research institutions.

• Successful applicants receive one of the most generous research grants in Europe, including:
• Funding between €500,000 and €1,000,000 for up to five years
• Support for long-term, innovative, and high-risk research projects
• Strong career development focus toward academic leadership positions
• 50% of awards reserved for women
• Special measures supporting women researchers, including:

1. Career coaching and networking
2. Child allowances
3. A €200,000 tenure package for women awarded a permanent or tenure-track position within the first three years

• International visibility and institutional integration within Austria’s research ecosystem
• Merit Awards: Non-selected hearing finalists receive 3-year PI projects worth up to €450,000

• Postdoctoral (Advanced Postdoc / R3 level)
• Arts-based research (doctoral degree not mandatory under specific conditions)

The FWF ASTRA Awards are open to all academic disciplines, including:

• Natural Sciences
• Engineering and Technology
• Medical and Health Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Arts-based Research

• All nationalities are eligible

Applicants must be based at, or move to, an Austrian research institution during the project period

To be eligible for the FWF ASTRA Awards, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a doctoral degree awarded at least 2 and not more than 9 years before September 30 of the submission year
• Exceptions apply for parental leave or career interruptions
• In arts-based research, applicants without a PhD may apply if they have 2–9 years of internationally recognized research experience
• Must demonstrate experience in independent research, such as:

1. Competitive third-party funding
2. At least 3 months of continuous international research experience
3. Publications without dissertation supervisor involvement

• Must not hold a tenured professorship or equivalent leadership position at the time of application
• Applicants may apply a maximum of two times in their career and can lead only one approved ASTRA project
• Applications must be submitted through an eligible Austrian research institution

The application process for the FWF ASTRA Awards involves the following steps:

• Identify an Austrian research institution willing to host the project
• Prepare a competitive research proposal aligned with ASTRA objectives
• Submit the application via the FWF online portal (elane) during the official call period
• Applications undergo international peer review
• Shortlisted candidates are invited to a jury hearing
• Final funding decisions are made by the FWF Scientific Board
• Expected number of awards per call: approximately 18, depending on available funding.

Funding Institution

• Austrian Science Fund (FWF)