VDSP Short-term Funding for Completion

We offer short-term financial support to highly qualified VDSP student members in the final phase of their doctoral studies. The funding should help the VDSP students to focus on the completion and submission of their doctoral thesis.

There are two funding schemes that can be applied for depending on the previous funding situation of the applicant. 

In this call, the VDSP will offer up to 2 Completion Scholarships and up to 15 Completion Contracts.

Important dates and deadlines

 
Application period:

All applications received before 02 August 2026 will be brought before the VDSP Selection Committee, which will convene after the deadline.

 

Starting date of the funding:

The Fellowship can be started from 01 October 2026 onwards and must be completed within the year 2026. For example, if the Fellowship starts with 01 November 2026, only two months are possible. If the Fellowship starts with 01 December, only one month is possible.

You can indicate your preferred starting date in the application form.

Funding schemes

Completion Scholarship

  • For VDSP students who have NOT been employed by the University of Vienna as an University Assistant or Project Staff Member within six months before the start of the completion contract
  • The scholarship amounts to 1.050 EUR per month.
  • The scholarship is awarded for up to six months.

 Important

  • Family allowances, student fees or insurances e.g. health insurance are not included in the scholarship. They have to be paid by the recepient of the scholarship.
  • The recipients are responsible for the possible taxation of the scholarship as well as the insurance during the period of the scholarship. 
  • Multiple funding by other institutions and/or the University of Vienna is not allowed. In particular, recepients of the scholarship must not be employed by the University of Vienna during the funding period.  
  • If applicants have been employed by the University of Vienna before, a time lag of six months between the end of the employment and the start of the scholarship is required. This includes any sort of employment, also teaching contracts and Werkverträge.
  • Since this is a scholarship you will not be entitled to unemployment benefits by the AMS.

Completion Contract

  • For VDSP students who who have been employed by the University of Vienna as an University Assistant or Project Staff Member within six months before the start of the completion contract
  • Working hours ("prae-doc" contract): 30 hours/week
  • Job grading in accordance with collective bargaining agreement: §48 VwGr. B1 Grundstufe (praedoc) with relevant work experience determining the assignment to a particular salary grade.
  • Your existing work contract will be extended for up to three months.

 Important

  • Successful applicants are employed at the University of Vienna and are therefore subject to all associated rights and obligations.
  • Please familiarize yourself with your tasks following this link.
  • The successive contract regulations must be followed/kept in mind. Make sure to check your individual case in consideration of your career planning. In case of questions contact HR to clarify your situation.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants have to

  • Fulfill the formal criteria of the funding scheme that they apply for.
  • Be actively enrolled to the PhD study programme in Physics at the University of Vienna.
  • Be full members of the VDSP who have followed all PhD curricular requirements as well as all regular VDSP requirements:
    • Positively completed PhD presentation “FÖP”.
    • Signed doctoral thesis agreement.
    • All required annual progress reports (DZV2 and VDSP) submitted.
    • All compulsory coursework successfully completed.
    • Participated in all required VDSP mentor meetings (at least once per year).
  • Commit to complete their doctoral studies within the anticipated time (duration of the comletion funding). Work on the dissertation must already be sufficiently advanced at the time of application that it can realistically be expected that the submission of the completed dissertation can take place at the latest at the end of the funding period.
  • Have excellent study records.
  • Provide evidence of relevant academic achievements (e.g. conference presentations, publications). 

Application Procedure

The following information need to be submitted as one single pdf-file via the application form:

  • Transcript of your study records (Bachelor, Master & PhD)
  • Curriculum vitae including full list of publications and conference contributions
  • Timeline for the completion of your doctorate
  • Table of contents of your written thesis
  • Short description of the structure of the thesis (3-5 pages)
  • Statement with key information (no length requirement – you have to convince the Selection Committee that you are able to complete your written thesis within the anticipated timeframe):
    • Duration of previous/current PhD contract(s) at the University of Vienna and type of contract(s) e.g. prae-doc or project staff
    • Teaching duties
    • Why the original time plan needs to be extended (e.g. personal circumstances, care duties, problems with lab equipment, COVID-related issues, etc.)

 Important

The VDSP office will forward your application to your supervisor(s) and ask for a declaration of support. This information will not be shared with the applicants.

All statements of support received up until 05 August 2026 will be brought before the VDSP Selection Committee which will convene shortly after the deadline.

Selection

The VDSP selection committee will review all applications that fulfill the formal criteria. Applicants will be selected on the basis of their eligibility, the documents submitted by the applicants, the statement of the supervisor(s) and subject to the availability of funds.

The main criteria for funding are:

  • The current state of the doctoral thesis project and the timeline for completion: Has the applicant convincingly made clear that the thesis can be completed in the anticipated time frame?
  • Statement by the supervisor(s): Does the supervisory team fully support the application and fully support the PhD student in the final phase of the writing process?
  • Study record and academic CV: Has the candidate continuously made progress during their doctoral studies and made first academic achievements, such as conference presentations or publications?
  • Breaks or delays: Are there any breaks or delays (such as parental leave, long-term illness, caring responsibilities) to be taken into account?

All applicants will be informed about the decision of the VDSP selection committee in due course.

 Important

  • Eligibility is dependent on the university-wide formal criteria for Completion Grants at Vienna Doctoral Schools which are currently subject to approval by HR. The current call is based on the assumption that the guidelines outlined above meet these criteria.
  • The Completion Grants are awarded competitively within the (varying) financial possibilities of the funding programme. There is no legal entitlement to funding, neither on the merits nor in terms of the funding amount.
  • In case of equal qualification, we will look into the dimension of diversity and give preference to underrepresented groups in the VDSP.

Call is CLOSED