Grant Opportunities
VDSEE Funding
VDSEE offers internal funding schemes that support doctoral candidates during different stages of their PhD. These grants are competitive and require formal application and reporting procedures.
Information on mobility opportunities for PhD candidates can be found via the International Office.
Travel Grant
The VDSEE Travel Grant supports scientific mobility and active participation in the international research community.
The VDSEE research funds aim to enhance scientific reputation, career development and networking of PhD candidates, particularly those with no or insufficient financial support from the University or third-party funds.
VDSEE offers research fellowships to fund attendance at international conferences or summer/winter schools. Please note that VDSEE funds are limited, so travel and conference participation can only be supported if no other sources of funding are available. Therefore, please first talk to your supervisor(s) about whether other financial resources are available, particularly if you are employed via a third-party funded project (e.g. FWF-projects) or the global budget.
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Funding Conditions
- Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis.
- The application must be submitted at least two months before the planned trip.
- Each PhD candidate may receive only one VDSEE grant during their doctoral studies.
- The conference has to take place before the submission of the thesis.
- Maximum total funding: €1,500.
Please note that the grant is open as long as the annual budget allows it.
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Application Requirements
- Applicant must be an active PhD member of the VDSEE
- Applicants must have passed their public PhD project presentation
- Applicants must have submitted all due reports in a timely fashion
- Submission of the completed and signed application form
- Submission of the abstract of the contribution or a letter of invitation
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Funding includes
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation - maximum one day before and after the conference!
- Participation fees
Please note that the travel regulations of the University apply! This includes sustainability criteria i.e. traveling by train for shorter distances.
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After Submission
- The application will be reviewed by the directorate of the VDSEE
- The decision will be made within one month after submission
- Students who are not employed via a third-party funded projects will be prioritized
In case of funding, the confirmation of attendance and all original invoices must be sent to the VDSEE Office per mail.
Apply for a VDSEE Travel Grant
Event Grant
The Vienna Doctoral School of Ecology and Evolution aims to promote team spirit and intellectual exchange among its members and beyond. The VDSEE invites their members to apply for event grants to help to fund the organization of conferences and symposia. Interdisciplinary formats are highly recommended.
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Funding Conditions
- Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis.
- The application must be submitted at least three months before the planned event.
- Each PhD candidate may receive only one VDSEE grant during their doctoral studies.
- The event has to take place before the submission of the thesis.
- Maximum total funding: €1,500.
Please note that the grant application is open as long as the annual budget allows it!
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Application Requirements
- Applicants must be an active PhD candidate of the VDSEE
- Applicants must have passed their PhD project presentation
- Applicants must have submitted all due reports in a timely fashion
- The planned event has to have a minimum of 25 participants and has to include poster presentations and talks by the participants
- The event has to have external participants, i.e. not affiliated with the University of Vienna
- The event has to take place at a location in Vienna and under the name of the University of Vienna or an associated consortium
- Submission of the completed and signed statement of support by the supervisor
- Submission of a complete event concept (max. 4 pages) incl.:
- Specific topics
- Speakers
- Time schedule
- Contribution of the applicant
- Number of participants
- Table of the budget overview with additional sponsors, if applicable
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Funding includes
Organisation of a:
- Conference
- Symposium
Please note that small meetings of working groups and collaborator meetings cannot be funded!
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After Submission
- The application will be reviewed by the directorate of the VDSEE
- The decision will be made within one month after submission
- Students who are not employed via third-party funded projects will be prioritized
In case of funding, the program, signed participant list and all original invoices must be sent to the VDSEE Office via email.
Apply for a VDSEE Event Grant
Completion Grant
The completion grants support selected VDSEE PhD-candidates in the final phase of their doctoral studies.
Applications for the next round of VDSEE completion grants will open on 1st September 2026!
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Funding Conditions
- Applications are submitted within periodical calls announced by VDSEE.
- The funded period lasts up to four months; shorter periods of 2–3 months may be awarded.
- Applicants must demonstrate that the dissertation can realistically be completed and submitted within the funding period.
- Funding can only be granted until the thesis is submitted. This should be reflected in the timeline in the applicaion portfolio.
- This grant is not an excellency grant!
- Each PhD candidate may receive one completion grant during their doctoral studies; extension of the completion grant is not possible.
- Upon rejection, reapplication is possible
Completion Grant Calls 2026
- Autumn call: 1-15 September, 2026 start dates between 1 November and 1 January '27
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Application Requirements
- Active PhD candidate of the VDSEE
- PhD project presentation within the first 12 months after admission
- Submission of all due reports in a timely fashion
- At least one first-author paper published that will be part of their doctoral thesis
- Completion of all ECTS-requirements according to the applicable doctoral program
- Completion of all laboratory and analytical work
- Submission of the status report of the doctoral thesis
- Submission of a CV including a list of publications and conference presentations (max. 3 pages)
- Submission of the transcript of records ("Sammelzeugnis")
- Submission of the consent declaration to the application requirements signed by the applicant and their supervisor
Please note that all the application documents need to be combined into a single PDF for submission. This portfolio must be uploaded to u:cloud. The link will be visible in the application form when the call opens.
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Funding includes
- A 30-hours/week University Assistant (Prae Doc) employment contract for the duration of the funding. Payment will be according to the University of Vienna collective bargaining agreement.
Please be aware that the employment contract is subject to all associated rights and obligations of the University of Vienna! Conditions of employment must be met (e.g., chain contract regulation, requirements of aliens' law, etc.).
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After Submission
- The application will be reviewed by the steering committee of the VDSEE
- Applicants might be invited to a short interview
- The decision will be made within one month after application deadline
Evaluation criteria includes:
- Feasibility of Thesis Completion within the completion grant period (0–10 points) based on:
- The status of the thesis as described in the application
- The proposed work plan for the grant period
- The number and completion status of first-author publications to be included in the thesis
(minimum requirement: at least one first-author publication must be published at the time of application)
- Previous Funding History (0–5 points) including:
- Whether the candidate had independent funding / a scholarship
- The total duration of prior funding
(shorter funding durations are viewed more favorably) - Whether the candidate has previously held a Prae Doc contract with the University of Vienna
(candidates without such a contract may be given preference)