Austria has a short scholarship list on this site, but every entry on it is serious money. Three schemes are covered here: the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide and the wider OeAD scholarship programs, both run by OeAD (Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation), plus the ISTA PhD Scholarship Program at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria. Two of the three are listed as fully funded. The third is full or partial depending on the program you pick.
The catch is level. None of these is a classic bachelor's scholarship. Austria suits Pakistani students who already have a degree and want to do research: PhD applicants, postgraduates, postdocs and working researchers. If you are finishing your BS and thinking about a doctorate in the sciences, or you are already enrolled in a PhD in Pakistan and want time in an Austrian lab, this is where to look.
All Austria scholarships at a glance
| Scholarship | Funding | Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide (OeAD, Austria) | Fully Funded | 1 February each year |
| ISTA PhD Scholarship Program (Austria) | Fully Funded | January 8, 2026 |
| OeAD Scholarships for International Students | Full / Partial | Varies by program |
Fully funded routes into Austrian research
ISTA PhD Scholarship Program
If you want a full doctorate in Austria, the ISTA PhD Scholarship Program is the strongest option on this list. It is a fully funded PhD program at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria, which the summary describes as one of Europe's fastest-rising research institutions. It covers a stipend, and two details matter a lot for Pakistani applicants: there is no IELTS requirement and no application fee.
That combination removes two of the usual costs before you even know whether you are shortlisted. For a student paying test fees in rupees, skipping IELTS is a real saving. Research areas include Biology, Chemistry, CS, Neuroscience, Physics and more, so this is a science and computing route rather than a general one. The deadline on record is January 8, 2026. Read the guide for the timeline, and check the full details page for the current cycle.
Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide
The Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide is a different kind of award. It does not fund a whole degree. It funds a research stay of 1-9 months at an Austrian university or research institution, and it is open to PhD students, postgraduates, postdocs and researchers of any nationality. It is listed as fully funded, and applications are shown as open.
This one suits a Pakistani PhD student who is registered at home and wants a few months of lab time, data collection or supervision abroad. It also suits early-career researchers who are not ready to move for years. The deadline is 1 February each year, for grants that begin later that year, so you plan roughly a year ahead. See the full details page for the listing.
The broader OeAD programs, full or partial
The OeAD Scholarships for International Students entry is an umbrella rather than a single award. OeAD runs various scholarship programs for international students and researchers who want to study or do research in Austria. Funding is listed as full or partial, and the deadline varies by specific program.
Treat this as a search starting point. Some programs under it will pay everything; others will cover only part of your costs, and you will need to work out the gap yourself. Because the deadline depends on the program, you cannot plan around one date. Open the guide, pick the program that matches your level, and then confirm its own deadline on the full details page and the official OeAD site.
Picking the right Austrian scholarship for your stage
Your choice mostly comes down to where you are right now.
- Applying for a PhD from scratch in a science or computing field: start with ISTA. It is the only full doctoral program here, and no IELTS or application fee makes it cheap to try.
- Already doing a PhD or postdoc and want a shorter stay: the Ernst Mach Grant fits, with its 1-9 month research stays.
- Outside those two, or looking for a program at a different level: go through the OeAD programs and check which ones are fully funded before you invest time.
Nothing stops a researcher from looking at more than one. A PhD student in Pakistan could apply to Ernst Mach for a research stay now and keep ISTA in mind as a separate doctoral path, since they serve different purposes.
Getting your documents ready for Austria
All three are research-focused, so your application will be judged heavily on your academic record and research plan. Have your degrees and transcripts attested early, because that step in Pakistan can take longer than expected. Draft a research proposal or statement of purpose that names a specific Austrian institution, group or supervisor where you can. For ISTA, the lack of an IELTS requirement does not mean English is ignored, so make sure your written statements are clear and your references speak to your research ability.
Our documents checklist for international scholarships covers attestation, recommendation letters and the usual paperwork. For a wider view across countries, see the scholarships guide for Pakistani students.
Frequently asked questions
Are there fully funded scholarships in Austria for Pakistani students?
Yes. The ISTA PhD Scholarship Program and the Ernst Mach Grant Worldwide are both listed as fully funded. The OeAD scholarship programs are listed as full or partial, depending on the program.
Do I need IELTS for the ISTA PhD?
No. The ISTA PhD Scholarship Program states no IELTS is required, and there is no application fee.
Can I get the Ernst Mach Grant for a full master's or PhD degree?
No. It funds a research stay of 1-9 months at an Austrian university or research institution for PhD students, postgraduates, postdocs and researchers. It is not a full degree scholarship.
When is the Ernst Mach Grant deadline?
1 February each year, for grants that start later in the same year.
What is the deadline for the OeAD scholarships?
It varies by specific program. Check the program you choose on the official OeAD site rather than relying on a single date.
Is there an undergraduate scholarship in Austria on this list?
None of the three entries here is aimed at bachelor's students. ISTA is a PhD program and Ernst Mach is for PhD-level and more senior researchers. The OeAD umbrella covers various programs for international students, so its guide is the place to check for other levels.
Each scholarship above has its own detailed guide on this site, linked in the table, covering eligibility and the application steps. Before you submit anything, confirm dates and requirements on the official OeAD and ISTA websites, since programs change between cycles.