Vienna BioCenter PhD Program 2027 (Autumn Call)

Applications are now open for the Vienna BioCenter PhD Program 2027 (Autumn Call) in Vienna, Austria. This is a fully funded PhD program for Life Sciences, and the application deadline is 15 October 2026 (23:59 CET). Every student gets a full employment contract with a yearly salary of €39,000 to €42,900 gross, health and pension insurance, and tuition fee support.

Students graduate with a joint doctoral degree from the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna. International students are welcome to apply, including non EU/EEA citizens, and visa support is provided. Applicants need a Master degree (or an equivalent degree) in a Life Sciences related subject and more than 6 months of research experience. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Scholarship name: Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Autumn Call 2026
• Degree level: PhD
• Host country: Austria (Vienna)
• Funding type: Fully funded, with a salary
• Open to all nationalities: Yes, EU/EEA and non EU/EEA applicants can apply
• Application deadline: 15 October 2026 (23:59 CET)

What This Scholarship Offers:

• Yearly salary of €39,000 to €42,900 gross, so you can focus on your research
• Full employment contract with health, pension, accident and unemployment insurance
• Tuition fees reimbursed for the whole PhD
• Visa and residence permit support, with costs normally refunded
• Joint doctoral degree from the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna
• Free German language courses to help you settle in Vienna
• Access to top research facilities at the Vienna BioCenter institutes
• Freedom to choose your lab after meeting potential supervisors
• Fully paid campus visit to Vienna, with travel and accommodation covered
• Four years of funded research, with the possibility of extension

Also Check: CEREB PhD scholarships at the University of Erfurt, Germany

Eligibility Criteria:

• You hold a Master degree or equivalent in a Life Sciences related subject, or you expect to receive it within 6 months of the application deadline
• You have more than 6 months of full time research experience in a relevant scientific area
• You have two referees with institutional email addresses, and at least one of them supervised you in a research project
• You have a high level of spoken and written English (an official certificate is not required)
• You submit a fully completed application form before the deadline, including both references

If you do not have a Master degree

• You hold a 4 year Bachelor (BA or BSc) with First Class Honours in a Life Sciences related subject
• You provide your degree certificate and academic transcripts when you submit your application
• You have a significant amount of research experience

If you applied before

• Applying a second time is only possible in exceptional cases. You must wait at least one year and show significant additional research experience.

Also Check: University of Central Asia Cambridge Scholarship Programme (2027-2028)

Important Dates

Part 1: Written application

• Applications open: 1 September 2026
• Recommended to start before: 10 October 2026, because referees need time
• Deadline for applications and references: 15 October 2026 (23:59 CET)
• Results issued: Second week of November 2026, by email

Part 2: Online interviews

• Online panel interviews: 24 and 25 November 2026
• Meet the Principal Investigators: 1 December 2026, 3 to 5 pm CET
• Meet the PhD students: 1 December 2026, 5:30 to 7:30 pm CET
• One on one interviews with recruiting PIs: 4 December 2026
• Research group interviews: 7 to 11 December 2026

Part 3: In person visit

• When: Individually organised in December 2026 or January 2027
• PhD start date: Flexible, latest by 1 June 2027

Also Check: HBKU Scholarship for Master’s, PhD & Law 2027 in Qatar (Fully Funded)

How to Apply:

• Step 1: Create your account
• Step 2: Prepare your documents
  • Upload these in the Education section, with English translations if needed:
    • Master degree certificate and transcripts
    • Bachelor degree certificate and transcripts
  • Upload these in the Enrolment information section:
    • Passport or ID card
    • Residence permit, if necessary
    • Language certificates (optional)
• Step 3: Write three essays
  • Past research experience: maximum 2500 characters
  • Scientific interests for the PhD: maximum 2500 characters
  • Letter of motivation: maximum 1500 characters
• Step 4: Register your two referees
• Step 6: Submit your application

Also Check: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation PhD Scholarship