FWF ASTRA Awards 2027 in Austria | Fully Funded Research Grants

Meta Description: Apply for the FWF ASTRA Awards 2027 in Austria. Receive €500,000–€1,000,000 in funding for advanced postdoctoral research at Austrian institutions.

The FWF ASTRA Awards 2027 are one of Austria’s leading research funding programs for outstanding advanced postdoctoral researchers. Funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), the program provides substantial financial support to researchers who are ready to establish independent research careers and lead ambitious projects at Austrian universities and research institutions.

The awards encourage groundbreaking research across all academic disciplines while helping researchers transition into academic leadership positions. With funding of up to €1 million over five years, the ASTRA Awards strengthen Austria’s research landscape by attracting exceptional international and domestic talent.

FWF ASTRA Awards 2027 Overview

About the FWF ASTRA Awards

The FWF ASTRA Awards support researchers with proven academic excellence who are prepared to lead independent research projects with international impact. The program focuses on innovative, high-risk, and high-reward research that advances scientific knowledge while strengthening Austria’s position as a global research destination.

Researchers must conduct their projects at an eligible Austrian university or research institution throughout the funding period.

Available Research Fields

Applications are accepted from researchers across all major disciplines, including:

• Natural Sciences
• Engineering and Technology
• Medical and Health Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Humanities
• Arts-Based Research

FWF ASTRA Awards 2027 Benefits

Successful applicants will receive a comprehensive funding package that includes:

• Research funding ranging from €500,000 to €1,000,000
• Financial support for projects lasting up to five years
• Opportunity to establish an independent research group
• International recognition within Austria’s research community
• Career pathway toward academic leadership positions
• Funding for innovative and high-impact research

Additional Benefits for Women Researchers

To promote gender equality in research, the program offers dedicated support for women researchers, including:

• Fifty percent of awards reserved for women
• Professional career coaching
• Networking opportunities with research leaders
• Childcare and family support allowances
• A €200,000 tenure package for recipients who obtain a permanent or tenure-track position within the first three years

Merit Awards

Applicants who reach the final jury stage but are not selected for the ASTRA Award may still receive a three-year Principal Investigator (PI) project worth up to €450,000, subject to the FWF evaluation process.

Eligible Nationalities

The FWF ASTRA Awards are open to researchers from all countries.

Both international applicants and researchers currently based in Austria are eligible to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the FWF ASTRA Awards 2027, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Hold a doctoral degree awarded at least two years and no more than nine years before 30 September of the submission year.
• Career breaks, including parental leave, are taken into consideration.
• Arts-based researchers without a PhD may apply if they have 2–9 years of internationally recognized research experience.
• Demonstrate independent research achievements through activities such as:
  • Securing competitive research funding
  • Completing at least three months of continuous international research experience
  • Publishing research independently of their doctoral supervisor
• Must not hold a tenured professorship or an equivalent permanent leadership position when applying.
• Applicants may submit a maximum of two ASTRA applications during their career.
• Only one ASTRA-funded project may be led by the same researcher.
• Applications must be submitted through an eligible Austrian host institution.

How to Apply for the FWF ASTRA Awards 2027

Applicants should complete the following steps:

1. Secure support from an eligible Austrian university or research institution.
2. Prepare a competitive research proposal aligned with the objectives of the ASTRA Awards.
3. Submit the application through the FWF’s online application system during the official call.
4. Applications undergo international peer review by independent experts.
5. Shortlisted candidates are invited to participate in a jury interview.
6. Final funding decisions are made by the FWF Scientific Board.

Approximately 18 awards are expected to be offered during each funding call, depending on the available budget.

Funding Organization

The program is funded and administered by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), Austria’s central organization for supporting excellent scientific research through competitive funding.

Important Dates