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START Programme in Austria

Call illustration

The FWF-START program is open to excellent researchers from all disciplines with between two and eight years of post-doctoral research experience.

Objectives

Due to its high level of funding, the START Programme offers researchers ideal conditions for carrying out long-term research projects at a top international level. By independently managing a generously funded research project, START principal investigators should acquire the necessary qualifications to assume a top position in research (especially as a professor in Austria or abroad) and play a leading role in their field. 

Requirements

  • The doctoral degree must have been completed no less than two years and no longer than eight years before the deadline for submission of applications (20th September 2023); cut-off date is the date of the successful thesis defense or the date the dissertation was officially accepted. Extensions to this period may be allowed in case of eligible career breaks (see guidelines).
  • Excellent research proposal and exceptional international track record
  • Proven ability to conduct independent research; applicants should already have independently acquired competitive third-party funds since earning their doctoral degree. 
  • in addition it is desirable that applicants have completed a research stay abroad of at least one year.
  • Applicants who hold a permanent professorship or who have already accepted an appointment to a permament professorship are not eligible to apply.

Length

5 years, an interim review after 3 years serves as the basis for the decision on a continuation of the project

Level

Minimum €800.000 up to maximum €1.2 Mio. 

Applications

Via the FWF’s electronic application portal (elane)

  • Start of the call for proposals: 1 July 2023
  • End of the call for proposals: 20 September 2023; the possibility to submit via Elane ends at 14:00 (2 pm) CEST.
  • in English

Allocation

  • Decisions are taken by the FWF Board based on recommendations of the International START/Wittgenstein Jury; recommendations are based on an international review process and a hearing
  • expected on 15–16 June 2024 
  • Awarded by the Austrian Federal Minister for Science

Number

Approx. 6 grants per call

Downloads

Applications

Electronic application portal

elane

Call website
Institution
Application date
Duration
5 years
Discipline
Humanities
Social sciences
Citizen Sciences
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