University of Vienna uni:docs Fellowship
The uni:docs Fellowship Programme is the University of Vienna's flagship doctoral funding scheme — designed to support outstanding PhD candidates across all faculties (natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, business and economics). Awards pay roughly €2,250/month for 3 years (the standard doctoral funding period in Austria), with social insurance contributions included. Fellows are selected via an annual competitive call. The University of Vienna is Austria's largest and most research-intensive institution — consistently QS top 150 — with particularly strong PhD options in physics, mathematics, philosophy, economics, biology, and history. Strong fit for Sri Lankan first-class graduates with research output (publications, conference papers) who want a fully-funded EU doctoral path.
The round for the October 2026 PhD start closed on 2 March 2026. The award runs on an annual cycle tied to admission, so expect a comparable deadline in early March for the following year. The uni:docs competition normally opens in the December before the deadline. Confirm the current date with University of Vienna before planning around it.
University of Vienna
University-funded
emoji_events Award Overview
Monthly Stipend
~€2,250/month (Pre-Tax)
Duration
3 Years (PhD Programme)
Annual Awards
Around 30 Across All Faculties
info How this award actually works
Who awards it
University of Vienna — not Lanka Scholar. We are not the awarding body and cannot grant, reserve or guarantee this award.
How you are considered
Through your admission application. Awards like this are usually assessed automatically from the application you already submit — there is typically no separate scholarship form to fill in.
What it covers
~€2,250/month for 3 Years (Full PhD Funding). This is a reduction in tuition, not a full ride. You still fund the remainder, plus living costs and the balance your visa requires you to show.
Where we come in
We make the admission application strong enough to be competitive — course choice, documents, references and deadlines. The funder makes the decision.
fact_check Eligibility Criteria
PhD Admission at University of Vienna
You must be admitted to (or have firm admission for) a PhD programme at the University of Vienna. Admission requires a Master's degree (or equivalent — typically 4-year Bachelor's with research output) in the relevant field.
Open to All Nationalities
Open to candidates of any nationality, including Sri Lanka. Applicants must not have started their PhD more than 12 months before the application deadline.
Strong Research Profile
Selection weights academic record, quality and originality of the PhD research proposal (typically 5-10 pages), strength of the proposed supervision, and prior research output. A Vienna-based supervisor's commitment letter is essential.
Language
PhD work is conducted primarily in English; some humanities programmes may require German. The application is in English. No specific IELTS/TOEFL minimum, but English proficiency must be demonstrable — most applicants present IELTS 7.0+ or equivalent.
account_tree Application Process
Identify a Vienna supervisor
Browse the University of Vienna's research portal at ufind.univie.ac.at to identify potential supervisors. Email your top 1-3 choices with a CV, draft research proposal, and motivation — secure a commitment-in-principle before applying.
Apply to the relevant PhD programme
Submit your PhD application to the relevant doctoral school at the University of Vienna. This is separate from the uni:docs scholarship application. Admission requirements vary by faculty.
Submit the uni:docs application
Apply via the dedicated uni:docs portal (typically opens December for a March deadline). Submit: detailed research proposal, CV, transcripts, language proof, two academic references, and your Vienna supervisor's letter of support.
Selection + offer
A faculty-spanning selection committee reviews proposals. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews (in person or online). Results are typically announced in June. Funding starts in October at the same time as PhD registration.
Why University of Vienna?
Founded in 1365, the University of Vienna is the oldest in the German-speaking world and Austria's largest research institution. 16 Nobel Laureates count among alumni and faculty (including Erwin Schrödinger). Vienna offers a unique combination of historical academic prestige and a modern, livable EU city — perennial #1 ranking for global quality of life.
#137
QS World Ranking 2026
1365
Founded
16
Nobel Laureates
Looking for a scholarship because of the cost?
Then start here instead. Scholarships are competitive, usually partial, and decided by someone else — they are the least reliable way to make studying abroad affordable. Your destination and course choice move the number far more, and both are entirely within your control.
Work out your real number
Tuition, living costs, visa funds and flights for your destination — so you know the gap you are actually trying to close.
Open the cost calculator arrow_forwardSort courses by lowest fee
The full catalogue, cheapest tuition first. Changing course or country saves far more than most awards are worth.
Browse lowest-fee courses arrow_forwardWhat Austria actually costs
Tuition, living costs and the total first-year figure for Austria, in LKR as well as local currency.
See the cost breakdown arrow_forwardCheck your proof of funds
Every student visa requires you to show funds. Find out what you need before you commit to an application.
Check the requirement arrow_forwardSimilar Scholarships
Other curated opportunities for Sri Lankan students.
Medical University of Graz PhD Programme
Medical University of Graz (Medizinische Universität Graz)
Medical University of Vienna International PhD Scholarship
Medical University of Vienna
FWF-Funded Doctoral Positions in Austria
Austrian Science Fund (FWF) – at Austrian universities & institutes