ISTA Graduate School PhD Programme 2027/2028

About this scholarship

A fully funded PhD at ISTA in Austria, starting on 15 September 2027. Students are employed by the institute and paid a salary. ISTA admits about 80 students a cohort, and competition is strong.

Funding type

Covers: a salary of EUR 3,053 to EUR 3,673 a month before tax in 2026, paid 14 times a year. The amount depends on whether you start with a bachelor's or a master's, and it rises after the qualifying exam. Also covers: full social security including health insurance, and support to attend conferences and workshops. There are no tuition fees. Does not cover: visa and relocation costs.

Tuition fees

Covered

Living costs

Covered

Travel

Partially covered

Insurance

Covered

Eligibility requirements

Nationalities

All nationalities

Residence condition

No residence condition

A bachelor's or master's degree in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics or data science, or a related area such as biochemistry, engineering, medicine, pharmacy or statistics Final-year students can apply if they finish before the programme starts on 15 September 2027, and by August at the latest There is no fixed minimum grade. Successful applicants are usually in the top quarter of their field and institution Your research interests must match at least one ISTA group There is no age limit

Minimum grade

Not stated

Work experience asked for

Not stated

Return condition

Return condition not stated

How to apply

Straight to the provider

Language requirements and exemptions

No language test required

The programme is taught in English. No IELTS, TOEFL or GRE is needed. Your English is assessed in the interviews.

University admission details

Admission included in application?

You apply to the programme as a whole, not to one research group. You list three to five groups you are interested in on the form. The portal opens in the second half of October 2026. The deadline is 8 January 2027. The page gives 3:00 PM CET in the text and 2:59 PM CET in the timeline, so the earlier time is used. Referees can send their letters until 12 January 2027, 11:59 PM CET. The deadline is firm and there are no extensions. There is no application fee. Candidates are told their status by early March. Interviews are mostly online, from late February to mid March. You must accept an offer by 15 April 2027. If you are not from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, you need a visa. ISTA sends the visa information after an offer.

Required documents

CV Statement of purpose of 1 to 2 pages Answers to three questions, 5 to 8 lines each Transcripts and diplomas for every degree, in English and in the original language, as PDF files Details of 3 referees who can assess your academic and research work

Application steps

Read about the research groups at ISTA and choose three to five that fit your interests. Create an account on the application portal when it opens in the second half of October 2026. Use a browser on a desktop computer. Fill in the form, upload the documents as PDF files and enter the details of your 3 referees. Submit the application before 8 January 2027.

Requirement checklist

Scholarship contacts

ISTA PhD admissions: [email protected]Copy

Universities and contacts