Questions & Answers

A: There is no age limit. Eligibility for a ViCAS Fellowship is based on academic age, i.e. years since PhD completion, not on the applicant’s age.

A: Exceptions are not possible because eligibility criteria must be applied consistently across applicants.

A: The first ViCAS call, for fellowships in 2026-2027, offered fellowships for early-career and senior scientists. The second  - and currently open - ViCAS call offers fellowships for mid-career and advanced scientists. Researchers whose doctoral degree was awarded at least three years ago at the date of the call deadline and who have already gained a degree of academic independence are welcome to apply for a Mid-Career fellowship.

A: Preference will be given to applicants who hold a professorial or equivalent senior academic position. However, applicants who can demonstrate outstanding academic leadership through other means are also encouraged to apply.

A: Yes, retired scholars with an outstanding academic record are eligible to apply.

A: Yes, scientists living in Austria can apply. Please be aware that ViCAS gives strong preference to researchers who do not currently hold, and have not held within the five years prior to the call deadline, an institutional affiliation in Austria. This reflects the programme’s aim to bring new perspectives, scientific approaches, and networks to the University of Vienna and, more broadly, to Austria.

A: No, current employment is not required. The fellowship is open to qualified applicants regardless of their current position or contract status.

A: Yes, doctoral-level research degrees equivalent to a PhD (e.g. DPhil, Dr. rer. nat., EdD) are accepted. The key criterion is that the degree must be a research doctorate awarded by an accredited research institution.

A: The defence date of the first completed PhD is used for the three and eight-year calculations.

A: Academic independence refers to the ability of a researcher to define and lead their own scholarly agenda rather than primarily executing someone else’s. The researcher is no longer just contributing to someone else’s vision—they are being trusted to create their own. For more information, please read the Application Guidelines.

A: Fellows may not hold another full-time fellowship or residency during the same period. Any additional commitments must not interfere with your ability to be in Vienna and to engage fully in ViCAS activities.

A: The ViCAS Fellowship programme is highly competitive. To ensure a fair assessment process, all applications are evaluated against the same eligibility criteria. For this reason, we do not make exceptions to the eligibility requirements.

A: As the application tool uses your u:account user ID as an identifier, you can only submit one application per call — either for a Mid-Career or for an Advanced Fellowship, depending on your eligibility. Applicants with flexibility regarding their residency dates may indicate more than one option during their application. In such cases, the selection committee will determine the specific residency period to be awarded.

A: As the application tool uses your u:account user ID as an identifier, you can only submit one application per call. Applicants with flexibility regarding their residency dates may indicate more than one option. In such cases, the selection committee will determine the specific residency period to be awarded.

A: No. As the application tool uses your u:account user ID as an identifier, you can only submit one application per call. Please select the fellowship that clearly matches your career stage and eligibility. 

A: ViCAS does not normally provide interim updates. All applicants will receive a notification once the final decision has been made. Only in exceptional cases — for example, if further documentation or clarifications are needed — will you be contacted during the process. Unforeseen changes in the timeline will be announced on the ViCAS website.

A: Successful applicants will be asked to confirm their acceptance of the Fellowship offer within a set period (usually three weeks) after receiving the notification. This ensures enough time to offer the place to another candidate if you are unable to participate.

A: The final cohort is carefully assembled to reflect a diversity of disciplines, research topics, and researchers. In making their decisions, the selection committee evaluates not only individual applications but also how candidates contribute to the group's overall composition. Consequently, there is no strict ranking of applicants, and individual feedback cannot be provided after the selection process.

A: There is no must to declare a couple-application, but we appreciate the transparency. Chances do not increase or decrease by default when declaring this. Each application is evaluated separately. The final cohorts are carefully assembled to reflect a diversity of disciplines, research topics, and researchers. 

A: No. The system accepts a supporting statement from only one University of Vienna professor. In their statement, the supporting faculty member can add the names of other professors who support your application.

A: No. They are part of the selection committee and can therefore not act as supporting faculty. The members of the leadership are listed here: https://vicas.univie.ac.at/vicas-leadership-team

A: No. Only tenured and tenure-track professors at the University of Vienna may serve as supporting faculty.

A: The supporting statement of the supporting faculty member is not visible to the applicant.

A: No. This is not possible. If a change cannot be avoided, please contact the ViCAS staff (support.vicas@univie.ac.at).

A: The application tool will not notify you when this step is complete, so we ask that you check the status in the application tool. Once their support is submitted, please submit your application. Applications without completed support cannot be submitted.

A: Fellows will have a dedicated workspace, internet access, standard office equipment, and meeting space at ViCAS. For laboratory-based projects, access to relevant facilities must be arranged in collaboration with a department or institute at the University of Vienna. ViCAS itself does not operate laboratories and cannot negotiate access on behalf of Fellows. 

A: No, ViCAS offers office space and a financial contribution, but no laboratory facilities, equipment, or consumables. Fellows in experimental disciplines should arrange access to the necessary infrastructure through the faculty member at the University of Vienna who supports their application.

A: ViCAS provides access to the University of Vienna’s libraries and digital publication resources.

A: Yes, the email address will be active for the duration of the fellowship. University email addresses will be used for all communications from the University of Vienna (including ViCAS) during the Fellowship. 

A: No, there are no teaching obligations attached to the fellowship. The fellowship aims to give fellows the time to focus fully on their research and to participate actively in ViCAS events. If you wish to teach during your stay, this must be arranged separately with a relevant department and is subject to University of Vienna policies. Please discuss all teaching obligations accepted during the fellowship with the Academic Coordinator.

A: There are no teaching obligations attached to the fellowship. The fellowship aims to give fellows the time to focus fully on their research and to participate actively in ViCAS events. If you wish to take on teaching responsibilities, please discuss with the Academic Coordinator.

A: Yes, the financial arrangement includes an accommodation allowance of €1,500 per month to cover housing costs in Vienna, either paid to the fellow or to the home institution of the fellow. If the allowance is paid directly to the fellow, together with the salary, the entire sum is subject to income tax under Austrian law (and possibly other national laws and double taxation agreements). 

A: The University of Vienna does not offer housing for ViCAS Fellows. You are responsible for arranging your own accommodation. The monthly accommodation allowance provided with the fellowship is intended to support this. Fellows often find housing through private rental platforms or local agencies. Some information can be found on the ViCAS website: https://vicas.univie.ac.at/. ViCAS staff will be able to provide practical assistance if needed.

A: ViCAS is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all fellows. We will make reasonable accommodations to support fellows with disabilities or functional needs, within the limits of our facilities and resources. Applicants are encouraged to contact the ViCAS team as soon as they receive the offer letter, so that arrangements can be made in advance.

A: ViCAS offices are located in the historic centre of Vienna. While the building is accessible, certain architectural features of historic premises may limit full accessibility in some areas. The premises have step-free access and an accessible restroom.

A: ViCAS itself does not employ personal assistants or provide specialised equipment directly, but we can help connect fellows with relevant University of Vienna services or external providers. Costs for such support are generally not covered by ViCAS, so fellows should include such expenses in their own planning. The fellowship payment may be used to cover these costs if needed.

A: While disclosure is voluntary, we kindly ask you to inform us about accessibility needs when receiving an offer, by noting it on the Acceptance Form or by contacting the ViCAS Academic Coordinator directly. 

A: Fellows accompanied by children with disabilities can seek guidance from the University of Vienna’s family services. Vienna also offers a range of specialised educational and care facilities. While ViCAS does not provide childcare directly, the accommodation and child allowances may help offset relevant costs.

A: Fellows should inform the Academic Coordinator as soon as possible if their accessibility requirements change during the fellowship. We will do our best to adapt arrangements in collaboration with the University’s accessibility services.