Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET

Overview

The Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET is a scholarship funded by the Austrian government through the OeAD, working in cooperation with the ASEA-UNINET network, on behalf of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Women, Science and Research. ASEA-UNINET is a university partnership network that links institutions in Southeast Asia with universities in Austria and other European countries. This grant is the Southeast Asian branch of the wider Ernst Mach scholarship programme.

What sets this line apart is its country focus and its range of degree levels. It is open to citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, and it supports everyone from undergraduates through to postdocs. Unlike the short-stay worldwide version, this branch includes full PhD scholarships of up to 36 months, which means you can complete an entire doctorate in Austria under it, as well as shorter postdoctoral research stays and dedicated music-practice scholarships.

If you are based in one of the five eligible countries and you want to study or research at an Austrian university that belongs to the ASEA-UNINET network, this grant gives you a monthly OeAD stipend and, for full-PhD scholars, a mobility subsidy on top. It is a route into long-term doctoral study in Austria as well as shorter research collaboration.

Key Facts at a Glance

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality Requirements

You must be a citizen of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam. The grant is reserved for nationals of these five ASEA-UNINET partner countries.

Academic Requirements

The programme is open to undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates and postdocs. The track you apply for depends on your stage: a full PhD scholarship of up to 36 months for doctoral candidates, a postdoctoral research stay of four to nine months for those who already hold a doctorate, and a nine-month track for music-practice studies. Your study or research should fit with an Austrian university in the ASEA-UNINET network.

Language Requirements

You will need proficiency in English and/or German, depending on your programme and host. Confirm the working language of your intended programme and prepare evidence accordingly.

Age & Other Requirements

The maximum age is 35 for the PhD and music-practice tracks, and 45 for the postdoc track. You must not have studied or carried out research in Austria during the six months immediately before the grant begins.

What the Scholarship Covers

• A monthly OeAD grant to cover living costs, at the rate published by OeAD / grants.at for the current cycle
• An additional mobility subsidy for full-PhD scholars
• Support typical of OeAD grants, including help with insurance and accommodation arrangements
• Funding durations matched to your track: up to 36 months for a full PhD, four to nine months for a postdoc stay, and nine months for music-practice studies
• A degree awarded at the end of the full-PhD track

How to Apply

1. Confirm your eligibility: Check that you are a citizen of one of the five eligible countries and that you meet the age limit for your track.
2. Choose your track and host: Decide whether you are applying for the full PhD, postdoc or music-practice line, and identify an Austrian ASEA-UNINET member university and supervisor that fits.
3. Review the current call: Read the ASEA-UNINET and OeAD pages to confirm the spring deadline and the document list for the current cycle.
4. Register on the grants portal: Create an account on the OeAD grants portal (grants.at) and open the Ernst Mach ASEA-UNINET application.
5. Prepare your research or study plan: Write a plan that shows what you will do in Austria and how it connects to your host and your goals.
6. Assemble your documents: Gather your CV, academic records, references, acceptance or invitation from the host and language evidence.
7. Submit before the spring deadline: Upload everything through the portal before the single annual closing date.

Required Documents

• Completed online application on the OeAD grants portal
• Curriculum vitae
• Research or study plan for the stay or doctorate
• Letter of acceptance or invitation from the Austrian host university or supervisor
• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees
• Proof of English and/or German ability where required
• Copy of your passport

Key Dates & Deadlines

This grant has one closing date per year, in spring, through the OeAD grants portal. Because the exact date changes from year to year, check the ASEA-UNINET and OeAD pages for the current cycle before you apply. After selection, your funded period begins according to your track and your agreement with the host: a full PhD can run up to 36 months, a postdoc stay four to nine months, and music-practice studies nine months.

Tips for a Strong Application

What helps

• Apply to the track that matches your stage, and read its specific age limit
• Line up an Austrian ASEA-UNINET host and a clear supervisory arrangement early
• Write a research plan that is specific to your host and field
• Make sure your language evidence matches your programme's working language
• Submit well before the single spring deadline to avoid portal problems

Common mistakes to avoid

• Applying without citizenship of one of the five eligible countries
• Missing the six-month rule about prior study or research in Austria
• Confusing the age limits for the PhD, music and postdoc tracks
• Submitting a generic plan that does not name a concrete host or project
• Leaving the application to the last day of the annual call

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

It is an Austrian OeAD scholarship, run with the ASEA-UNINET network, for students and researchers from five Southeast Asian countries to study or research at Austrian member universities, including full PhD scholarships.

Who is eligible for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

Citizens of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam, ranging from undergraduates to postdocs, subject to the age limit for the track they choose.

Does the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET fund a full PhD?

Yes. The full-PhD track can fund a doctorate in Austria for up to 36 months, and a degree is awarded at the end.

What are the age limits for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

The maximum age is 35 for the PhD and music-practice tracks and 45 for the postdoc track.

How much does the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET pay?

It pays a monthly OeAD grant at the rate published on grants.at for the current cycle, and full-PhD scholars also receive a mobility subsidy.

What is the deadline for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

There is one closing date per year, in spring, through the OeAD grants portal. Check the current cycle for the exact date.

Which countries can apply for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

How long does the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET last?

It depends on the track: up to 36 months for a full PhD, four to nine months for a postdoc stay, and nine months for music-practice studies.

Can I apply for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET if I recently studied in Austria?

No. You must not have studied or carried out research in Austria during the six months before the grant starts.

Is the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET only for PhD students?

No. It is open to undergraduates and graduates as well as postgraduates and postdocs, through different tracks.

Where do I apply for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

Applications go through the OeAD grants portal at grants.at, with details on the ASEA-UNINET scholarship page.

Do I need to speak German for the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET?

You need English and/or German proficiency depending on your programme and host. Check the working language of your intended programme.