What if you could spend up to 9 months researching Austrian literature in Austria while receiving €2,500 every month?
The Franz Werfel Grant is an international research fellowship funded by the Austrian Government and administered by the OeAD, Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
It supports highly qualified young university teachers whose academic work focuses on Austrian literature and helps build international research and academic networks.
Program Overview & Quick Facts
- Opportunity Type: International Research Fellowship
- Host Country: Austria
- Administered By: OeAD — Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation
- Study/Research Area: German language and literature, with a focus on Austrian literature
- Target Audience: Young university teachers, researchers and academics
- Nationality: International applicants
- Degree Level: Postgraduate/PhD/academic research background
- University Employment: Preferably employed at a university
- Teaching Experience: Preferred
- Work Experience: Academic/teaching experience is preferred
- Age Limit: No specific age limit stated on the current official call
- Funding: €2,500 per month
- Duration: 4–9 months
- Possible Extension: Up to 18 months under the programme’s conditions
- Application Fee: Free
- Deadline: September 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM
What Is the Franz Werfel Grant?
The Franz Werfel Grant supports international academics whose work focuses on Austrian literature.
Selected fellows can undertake research at Austrian university departments, libraries, archives or research institutions and become part of an international academic network focused on Austrian literature.
The programme is particularly suited to young university teachers and German studies scholars with an established academic interest in Austrian literature.
What Does the Grant Cover?
Selected fellows receive:
- €2,500 per month
- Funding for a 4–9 month research stay
- Possibility of an extension of up to 18 months, subject to the programme’s conditions
- Opportunities for academic cooperation and networking in Austria
- Access to the programme’s international scholarly network
The programme also offers follow-up support for eligible fellows after completing the required period of fellowship participation.
Who Can Apply?
The Franz Werfel Grant is designed for applicants with a strong academic connection to Austrian literature.
You may be a suitable candidate if you:
- Are an international academic or researcher.
- Have above-average academic qualifications.
- Work primarily in Austrian literature.
- Preferably have teaching experience.
- Preferably hold a position at a university.
- Have a research project that can be carried out at an appropriate institution in Austria.
The current OeAD description specifically emphasizes young university teachers, rather than treating this as a general scholarship for all PhD students.
What Research Can You Pursue?
Your proposed research should have a clear connection to Austrian literature.
The programme is particularly relevant to scholars working in areas such as:
- Austrian literature
- German literature with an Austrian focus
- Literary studies
- Austrian literary history
- Austrian authors and texts
- Related German studies research
This is not a general humanities fellowship. Your academic work needs to have a substantive Austrian-literature focus.
Do You Need a Host Supervisor in Austria?
Applicants should arrange the necessary academic support and research affiliation in Austria.
A host institution/supervisor agreement or confirmation may be required as part of the application, so applicants should check the current OeAD application instructions carefully before submitting their application.
Is the Application Free?
Yes. There is no application fee.
Applications are submitted through the official OeAD scholarship system.
You should not pay third-party agencies promising guaranteed selection or paid access to the application.
However, applicants may still have personal expenses associated with preparing documents, travel, visas or other costs that are not specifically covered by the grant.
How Long Is the Fellowship?
The initial grant duration is:
4 to 9 months
Under the programme rules, an extension of up to 18 months may be possible.
Deadline
September 15, 2026 — 11:59 PM
This is the current deadline shown by the official OeAD website for the international Franz Werfel Grant.
How to Apply
- Review the current Franz Werfel Grant eligibility requirements.
- Confirm that your research focuses on Austrian literature.
- Identify a suitable research institution or academic host in Austria.
- Prepare your research proposal and academic documents.
- Obtain the required recommendation and host documents.
- Submit your application through the OeAD scholarship application system.
- Complete your application before September 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
Don’t Miss the Next Hidden Gem
If you’re a German studies scholar or university teacher working on Austrian literature, this is a seriously niche opportunity — and niche opportunities are often the hardest ones to discover.
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