Description

The Erwin Schrödinger Programme is a career development fellowship supporting highly qualified postdoctoral researchers to conduct independent research projects at leading international institutions, combined with a return phase to Austria.

It is designed to enhance research mobility, international experience, and long-term career prospects, while strengthening the Austrian research landscape through knowledge transfer.

Funding Amount

• Funding per project (fellowship-based):
  • Variable basic fellowship (country-dependent rates)
  • €300/month for career development measures
  • Return phase (if applicable):
    • Salary at senior postdoc level
    • Project costs up to €15,000
• Funding duration:
  • Abroad phase: 10–24 months
  • Return phase: up to 12 months

Submission Deadlines

• No fixed deadline
• Rolling submissions via the elane system
• Decisions made in five approval meetings per year

Submission Conditions

• Applications must be submitted via the FWF elane portal

Key requirements:

• Applicant must:
  • Hold a completed doctorate (PhD) (or near completion)
  • Demonstrate ability to lead an independent research project
• Mandatory elements:
  • Invitation from host institution abroad
  • Host supervisor support
  • Recommendation/return option from Austrian institution
• Additional conditions:
  • Compliance with FWF regulations on:
    • Research collaborations
    • Open access
    • Data management
  • Submission of:
    • Project description
    • CV and publication record
    • Supporting documents (host declaration, return phase documentation)
• Evaluation:
  • Based on international peer review
  • Final decision by the FWF Scientific Board

Eligible Types of Applicants

• Applicants are individual researchers (postdocs)
• Host institutions abroad:
  • Universities
  • Research institutions (not limited to universities, but must provide adequate infrastructure)
• Return host (Austria):
  • Austrian universities or research institutions