If you are hunting for a real fully funded PhD in Europe, the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) should be on your shortlist.
People call it a “scholarship”, but the best part is this: ISTA PhD students are hired on an employment contract, so you study and do research like a professional researcher, not like someone begging for funding every semester. ISTA also states no tuition fees and no application fee for the PhD.
Let’s break it down clearly for 2026 intake.
What is ISTA (and where is it)?
ISTA is a research institute in Austria focused on basic research and graduate education. It’s located in Klosterneuburg, about 18 km from Vienna’s city center, so you get a calm research campus vibe while still being close to a major European city.
ISTA Scholarship 2026: Key dates (PhD intake)
Here are the official deadlines for the 2026 PhD call:
- Application deadline: January 8, 2026 (3:00 PM CET)
- Referee deadline: January 11, 2026 (11:59 PM CET)
- Program start: 15 September 2026
Also, ISTA confirms the 2026 PhD call is open and the portal is live.
What does the ISTA PhD “scholarship” cover?
1) Tuition and application fees
ISTA clearly states:
- No tuition fees
- No application fee for PhD (and also for internship/scholarship programs)
2) Full funding + salary + health coverage
ISTA’s PhD FAQ says:
- All PhD students are fully funded
- Internationally competitive salary
- Full social security coverage including health insurance
3) Extra research support
ISTA also mentions additional support for:
- Travel expenses to attend conferences and workshops
One honest note: ISTA also states it cannot provide funding for visa and relocation expenses, so plan your travel costs yourself.
Program length and contract (important detail)
This is what makes ISTA different from many “scholarship” programs.
- PhD length is typically 4.5 to 6 years (depending on whether you start after Bachelor’s or Master’s)
- Students are offered a 5-year employment contract, and if you’re making reasonable progress you are fully funded until your thesis defense
So yes, it’s stable funding, not “one year and hope for renewal”.
Research areas at ISTA (what you can study)
ISTA’s Graduate School highlights three broad tracks:
- Mathematical and Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- Information and System Sciences
If your background is computer science, data science, math, physics, biology, neuroscience, chemistry, or interdisciplinary work, you’ll find groups that fit.
Who can apply? (Eligibility overview)
ISTA focuses on strong research potential. You can apply if you have:
- A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree (or you are close to completing it)
- A strong fit with ISTA research groups
- Good English for research work (ISTA’s working language is English across the PhD environment)
ISTA is very international, so applicants from any country can apply.
Required documents (based on ISTA official checklist)
ISTA’s PhD FAQ lists the required items as:
- CV
- Statement of purpose
- Answers to required questions in the application portal
- Transcripts/score sheets + diplomas for all years (in English and also original language)
- Contact details of 3 referees
Tip that saves you from mistakes: ISTA asks you to upload documents in English, and also include transcripts in the original language. Also combine multi-page documents into a single PDF where needed.
How the application works (simple steps)
Step 1: Explore research groups
Go through ISTA groups and pick areas that match your background.
Step 2: Prepare your statement of purpose
Keep it focused:
- What you have done (projects, thesis, papers)
- What you want to work on next
- Why ISTA specifically (mention 2–3 groups or themes)
Step 3: Choose your referees early
Because referees have their own deadline: January 11, 2026.
Email them early and share your CV + draft SOP.
Step 4: Submit before the deadline
Final application submission: January 8, 2026 (3:00 PM CET).
Why ISTA is trending for 2026 (my quick take)
Here’s why ISTA keeps popping up in “top funded PhD” lists:
- No tuition + no application fee
- You get an employment contract (not just a stipend promise)
- Full social security + health insurance
- Strong international environment near Vienna
If you want a research career, this setup makes your life easier.
Bonus: ISTA also has a funded internship route (for students)
If you’re still in Bachelor’s or Master’s, ISTA runs the ISTernship Summer Program and also mentions year-round internship options through its internship/scholarship program page.
(Deadlines change by year, so always confirm on the official ISTA pages.)