ISTA PhD Program 2026 in Austria (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the ISTA PhD Program 2026, an exceptional opportunity for aspiring researchers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This fully-funded program welcomes students with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics, data science and scientific computing, astronomy, earth science, and related disciplines. The application deadline is January 8, 2026, at 3:00 PM CET.

All admitted students receive comprehensive 5-year employment contracts covering their entire doctoral journey, ensuring complete financial support until thesis defense. The program features a unique interdisciplinary approach where students complete three lab rotations before affiliating with a research group, allowing them to explore different fields and make informed decisions about their research direction. There is no application fee, and the program starts uniformly on September 15, 2026, for all accepted candidates. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details

• Application Deadline: January 8, 2026, 3:00 PM CET
• Funding: Fully funded with 5-year employment contracts
• Eligible Degrees: Bachelor’s or Master’s in biology, chemistry, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, physics, data science, astronomy, earth science, and related fields
• Application Fee: None
• Program Duration: 4.5-6 years (typically)

Check also: Australia Awards Fellowship 2026 (Round 21) – Fully Funded

Program Duration and Funding

The program typically takes 4.5 to 6 years to complete, with theoretical research students generally finishing faster than those in experimental groups. All students receive 5-year employment contracts and remain fully funded until their thesis defense, provided they make reasonable progress. Contract extensions of one year are available depending on research needs.

Salaries

PhD student salaries depend on whether the student is holding a bachelor’s or a master’s degree at the time of admission. When students pass their Qualifying Exam (about 1.5 years into their degree), they receive a salary raise. Gross salaries in the year 2025 for PhD students range – dependent on the criteria above – from 2993 EUR/month to 3601 EUR/month (paid 14 times a year: once per month plus double payments in June and November).

ISTA offers scientific interns a minimum salary of EUR 1,523 gross per month.

Application Deadlines

• Application Submission: January 8, 2026, 3:00 PM CET
• Referee Details Change: January 8, 2026, 3:00 PM CET
• Letters of Recommendation: January 11, 2026, 11:59 PM CET

Who Can Apply?

Eligible Degrees

ISTA welcomes students with Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees in:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Neuroscience
• Mathematics
• Computer Science
• Physics
• Data Science and Scientific Computing
• Astronomy
• Earth Science
• And interdisciplinary or related areas (e.g., biochemistry, engineering, medicine, pharmacy, statistics, etc.)

How to Apply

ISTA processes PhD applications once annually, with the portal open only during the application period from late October until the January deadline. Applicants must create an online account to track their application progress.

Important notes: use a regularly checked email address as activation links may end up in spam folders, and complete the application form using a desktop web browser as mobile devices are not supported.

Best opportunity: CERN Administrative Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae: Your complete academic and professional background.
• Statement of Purpose: This critical component should detail your preparation for graduate-level research, including past research projects, motivation, skills, and relevant background. Be specific about your technical skills and experiences.
• Three Required Questions (5-8 lines each): First, identify up to three ISTA research groups relevant to your interests and background, explaining your preferences in order. Second, select a paper by an ISTA professor, provide its DOI citation, explain the key findings in your own words, and describe why this research excites you. Third, identify another institution outside ISTA conducting research that inspires you and explain why.
• Academic Transcripts and Diplomas: Submit documentation from all degree programs and years attended or currently enrolled in, both in English and the original language. Transcripts must include all courses and grades. For ongoing studies, provide the latest results obtained to date.
• Three Reference Letters: Provide contact information for three referees who can assess your academic and research performance. While one industry reference is acceptable, academic references receive priority.

All documents must be submitted in English, with transcripts provided in both English and their original language. If your university doesn’t issue English documentation, you must arrange for translation. Applications outside the online portal are not accepted.

Check also: Ghent University Doctoral Scholarships 2026: PhD Sandwich Program

Research Areas

Your PhD research will be conducted within a research group, so your specialization should align with the group’s work. ISTA supports co-affiliation between two groups and encourages interdisciplinary, student-driven project-based collaborations. Before applying, browse ISTA’s research topics to ensure alignment with your background and interests. Your diploma will be awarded from ISTA without listing a specific subject specialization.