Industrial PhD for non-university research institutions

The Industrial PhD Projects 2025 funding initiative supports doctoral candidates at non-university research institutions in Austria who are working on dissertation topics that focus on application-oriented research in scientific or technical fields, or current dynamic areas such as digital, socio-ecological, or sustainable transformation (the Triple Transition).
A clear economic application must be described in the application.
50% of the total funding is reserved for female doctoral candidates.

What can be funded?

This call supports industry-related PhD projects carried out by doctoral candidates at non-university research institutions in Austria. Funding is provided by the Fonds Zukunft Österreich. The call is open to all research topics.

Who can be funded?

• Funding is provided to non-university research institutions that employ and support doctoral candidates for at least the duration of the project.
• The PhD project must be a collaboration between a non-university research institution, a university with the right to award doctorates, and a doctoral candidate. The candidate must be employed by the non-university research institution and be actively involved in the organisation through dedicated support and integration measures.
• The non-university research institution submits the proposal (one project and proposal per doctoral candidate). The project must demonstrate a clear link to economic application, which must be explicitly described in the proposal.
• 50% of the available funds are reserved for female doctoral candidates.

What is the amount of funding?

• Each project can receive up to EUR 110,000, covering a maximum of 50% of the total eligible costs. The funding primarily covers the doctoral candidate's personnel and travel costs.
• There is no limit on the number of applications submitted per organization. A total of EUR 6 million is available for this call.

What are the submission criteria?

• Employment of the doctoral candidate at a minimum of 50% full-time (at least 860 hours per year).
• Clear integration into the institution, including mentorship and professional development
• Supervision by a university (formal confirmation required).
• Continuous enrolment at a university throughout the project
• Project start must be after submission and within 12 months of application

More details can be found in the German-language Instrumentenleitfaden.