Funding Opportunities
The VDTR offers its doctoral candidates a variety of financial support. To be eligible for funding, you must be a member of the VDTR and regularly participate in the Open Research Day. Learn more about funding guidelines in our FAQs.
The deadlines for funding applications are 28 February, 30 June and 31 October each year.
Travel grants (conference visits, archival research, data collection)
Eligibility
- The doctoral candidate must be an active VDTR member who has completed the FÖP, submitted the doctoral thesis agreement and since then, submitted annual progress reports.
- The doctoral candidate must participate regularly in the VDTR Open Research Day.
- As part of conference participation or research trips, the doctoral candidate gives a talk or presents a poster
- They collect data during trips to archives, libraries or research trips.
- The doctoral candidate has their supervisor's support for the trip.
- A maximum of three trips during the course of the doctoral programme will be funded.
- Applications are decided upon by the VDTR directors.
- You may submit applications for events that occur after the current deadline, as well as events that occurred between the last deadline and the current deadline. For example: For the 30 June 2025 deadline, applications will be accepted for travel taking place between 1 March and 31 October 2025.
Funding options
The VDTR grants an allowance in the amount of:
- max. 400 euros for destinations up to 750 km away (e.g. Austria and neighbouring countries);
- max. 650 euros for destinations further away than 750 km. The kilometres refer to the distance as the crow flies.
Download the travel grant application form here.
Additional funding options: If your destination is very expensive, please also inquire out about additional funding options, e.g. via the ÖFG's International Communication programme. For longer research trips, please also apply for a Short-Term International Scholarship from the University's International Office, a GO.INVESTIGATIVO from the Austrian Academy of Sciences or a Marietta Blau Scholarship from the OEAD.
Editing grants (Peer-reviewed publications)
In order to support PhD students in their publication activities, the VDTR offers support towards editing costs.
Eligibility:
- The doctoral candidate must be an active VDTR member who has completed the FÖP, submitted the doctoral thesis agreement and since then, submitted annual progress reports.
- The doctoral candidate must participate regularly in the VDTR Open Research Day.
- Editing costs must not exceed 300€.
- Editing cost grants are available for articles intended for peer-reviewed publications. Preference will be given to publications in English and in indexed journals.
Peer activities
VDTR doctoral students are encouraged to develop and realize activities for themselves and their peers.
Eligibility
- Must be a self-organized event by and for PhD students.
- The applicant must be an active VDTR member, have completed the FÖP, submitted the doctoral thesis agreement, and (since then) submitted annual progress reports.
- The applicant regularly participates in the VDTR Open Research Day.
Supported formats
- Large formats: workshops, retreats, conferences. Funding up to 300€ per actively involved VDTR member.
- Small formats: writing groups, brown-bag/journal clubs, etc. Room or catering costs covered if possible.
- Priority for events with interdisciplinary orientation and inter-university networking.
Your application step by step
- Carefully read the eligibility criteria.
- If you are eligible, download the relevant application form.
- Once completed, send the form to contact.vdtr(at)univie.ac.at
- Await the VDTR's decision after the upcoming deadline. You will be notified via email.
- Administer your reimbursement:
- Employees of the University of Vienna can administer their reimbursements via hrfi.univie.ac.at.
- If you are a PhD candidate who is not employed by the university, you will be asked to send us all your invoices, your bank account details and your contact address to contact.vdtr@univie.ac.at.
Reimbursement will only be made at the end of the trip, upon presentation of the original receipts and invoices. Please keep all invoices and receipts from your trip.
FAQs
You are eligible for funding if you are a VDTR member, have passed the FÖP, and regularly participate in the VDTR Open Research Day, which takes place every semester.
VDTR travel grants cover travel costs, conference fees, accommodation and library tickets. The VDTR does not cover any costs for meals, upgrades and taxi journey.
VDTR peer activitiy grants cover travel costs, accommodation, room rent and catering costs as part of workshops and conferences.
VDTR editing costs cover editing by a professional language editor.
Once you have received confirmation of funding, you will receive an email explaining the reimbursement process. For University of Vienna employees, reimbursement is handled via HRFI. For PhD candidates who are not employed, the VDTR office will handle reimbursement. In both cases, reimbursement will only be made at the end of the trip upon presentation of the original receipts and invoices. Please keep all invoices and receipts from your trip.
Yes, you can combine your VDTR funding with other funding, as long as the other funding organisation agrees.
Even if you have excused yourself from the Open Research Day, you can still apply for funding. However, if you were absent from the Open Research Day without an excuse, this may be why your application is unsuccessful.