FWF
doc.funds – Doctoral Programs
Currently no submissions open; approval late November 2026 by FWF Scientific Board
Last verified:
doc.funds finances doctoral programs at Austrian universities and universities of applied sciences, with budgets around €2.5 million per program over the funding period. Applicants must form a consortium of at least five researchers with balanced gender distribution and an existing doctoral program running at least two years; the scheme covers salary costs for 5-10 doctoral candidates plus annual training expenses. This is a competitive call open only to Austrian institutions, with approximately five projects funded per annual round.
Details
| Funder | FWF |
| Budget | About €2.5 million |
| Consortium | Required — minimum 5 researchers from universities and universities of applied sciences |
| Application | Single stage; international peer review followed by hearings; jury meeting November 12–13, 2026 |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Eligible countries | AT |
Eligibility & scope
Consortium of ≥5 researchers from Austrian universities/universities of applied sciences; doctoral program must have been running ≥2 years; balanced gender distribution required; binding institutional co-funding required; ~5 projects funded per call. Host institutions must be Austrian.
Who Should Apply
- •Consortia of ≥5 researchers from Austrian universities or universities of applied sciences
- •Programs with an existing doctoral degree running ≥2 years
- •Institutions able to provide binding co-funding and ensure gender balance (≥1/3 underrepresented gender)
- •Programs planning to support 5-10 doctoral candidates over the funding period
Key Dates
- •Next submissions expected to open late November 2026 following FWF Scientific Board approval
- •Single-stage evaluation: international peer review followed by hearings, jury meeting 12-13 November 2026
- •Annual call cycle
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Consortium composition is gating, spend time building a genuinely collaborative team that spans disciplines; FWF reviews researcher balance and research fit within the group.
- ✓Institutional co-funding is binding, not optional; secure a written commitment from your university administration before submission to avoid late rejections.
- ✓Gender balance is scored and monitored; demonstrate early how your doctoral cohort will meet the ≥1/3 underrepresented-gender threshold, not as an afterthought.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does FWF doc.funds provide per program?
Approximately €2.5 million per program; the budget covers personnel costs for 5-10 doctoral candidates plus up to €5,000 per year in training costs per position.
Who can apply for FWF doc.funds?
Consortia of at least 5 researchers from Austrian universities or universities of applied sciences, with an existing doctoral program running at least 2 years and institutional co-funding commitments.
Is FWF doc.funds annual?
Yes, FWF runs it as an annual call with approximately 5 projects funded per round.
What is the gender requirement for FWF doc.funds?
Applicants must demonstrate balanced gender distribution with at least one-third of the consortium from an underrepresented gender.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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