Austria is one of the most underrated places to study in Europe, especially for students from developing countries. Austria may not have as many full-degree scholarships as Germany or Canada, but it does have high-quality schools, targeted financing programs, and fully funded short-term or specialised scholarships.
Whether you are from Nigeria or another developing country, there are still many ways to study in Austria with financial aid, especially through government-backed programs and scholarships that focus on development.
This guide clarifies what’s available, who can get it, and how to apply.
Can students from poor countries get scholarships to study in Austria?
Yes, but there is an important truth.
Austria does give out scholarships, but:
- A lot of them are short-term, research-based, or speciality programs.
- Compared to other countries, there aren’t as many full-degree scholarships.
- Some scholarships are made just for students from developing countries.
The Austrian government and institutions provide funding through a number of programs, the most important of which is the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation.
Austria also has a big database of scholarships with more than 1,200 funding options for students of all levels and fields.
Yes, there are opportunities, but you need to apply in a smart way.
The Best Scholarships in Austria for Developing Countries in 2026
1. Fully Funded Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) Scholarship
The ADC Scholarship is the most important scholarship for countries that are still developing.
It was made just for students from Africa, Asia, and other parts of the world that are still developing.
What it talks about:
- All tuition costs
- Housing
- Monthly payment
- Tickets for flights
- Insurance for health
- Feeding and other good things
Who can apply?
- Students from poor countries
- People who want to work in tourism, hospitality, or management should apply.
Usually, this scholarship is for a diploma programme in hotel and tourism management.
Why it’s important:
- One of the few fully funded Austria scholarships that are only for students from developing countries
2. Erhard Busek Grant (Master’s Degree for Developing Countries)
This award is a great scholarship for students from developing countries that are not in Europe.
What it has to offer:
- Money for a full master’s degree programme
- Pay attention to students who do well.
- Opportunities in STEM and other areas
What you need:
- A degree in business
- Getting into a Master’s programme in Austria
- A strong academic background
Best for:
- Students in Austria who want to pay for their entire degree
3. Ernst Mach Grant (a government scholarship)
The Ernst Mach Grant is one of the most well-known scholarships in Austria.
What it has to offer:
- Money for studying or doing research in Austria
- Available to undergraduates, postgraduates, and researchers
- Includes study or research stays (not always for a full degree)
Important idea:
- Often used for short-term study, research visits, or exchange programmes
Best for:
- Students and researchers looking for academic opportunities in Austria
4. Fully Funded Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Scholarships
Many Erasmus programs include Austrian universities, even though they’re not just for Austria.
What it talks about:
- Full cost of school
- Monthly payment
- Costs of travel
- Housing
Main benefit:
- Open to students from all over the world
- One of the most trustworthy, fully funded options connected to Austria
5. Fully Funded Postdoctoral Programme at the Vienna BioCenter
This is a great chance to do research.
What it has to offer:
This is a wonderful chance to do research.
What it has to offer:
- Full salary (more than €70,000 a year)
- Insurance for health
- Extra benefits
Best for:
- PhD holders doing research after their PhD
6. The Helmut Veith Scholarship for Women in Tech
A very useful scholarship for women.
What it talks about:
- Full waiver of tuition
- €7,000 a year stipend
Best for:
- Women who work in IT and computer science
7. Scholarships from universities
Many Austrian universities give out scholarships like these:
- Partial waivers of tuition
- Funding based on merit
- Funding for research
These are common:
- Easier to get than government scholarships
- Available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels
Levels of Study Covered
You can get scholarships in Austria for
- Programmes for getting a diploma
- A bachelor’s degree (limited funding)
- A master’s degree is the most common.
- Research for a PhD and postdoc
Most fully funded opportunities are for graduate students and researchers.
What do scholarships in Austria pay for?
Depending on the programme, some of the benefits could be:
- Fees for school
- Monthly payment
- Housing
- Costs of travel
- Insurance for health
But in some cases:
- You might have to pay for some of your costs.
- Some scholarships may only cover part of the cost.
What Developing Country Applicants Need to Do
You have to meet certain requirements to qualify.
Requirements for School
- Good grades in school
- Bachelor’s degree (for master’s programmes)
Basic Papers
- Transcripts from school
- CV
- Letter of motivation
- Letters of recommendation
- Passage
Extra Requirements
- Getting into an Austrian university (for some scholarships)
- English skills (MOI or IELTS, depending on the programme)
- Experience that is relevant (for competitive scholarships)
How to Apply Step by Step
Step 1: Pick the Right Scholarship Pay attention to:
- ADC Grant
- Mundus Erasmus
- Grant from Erhard Busek
Step 2: Choose Your Programme Pick a class that fits with what you’ve already studied.
Step 3: Fill out an application for admission. Some scholarships need you to be accepted first.
Step 4: Write Strong Papers Give special attention to:
- Letter of motivation
- CV
Step 5: Send in your application for the scholarship. Please ensure you follow the rules for each programme. Make sure you follow the rules for each programme. Make sure you obey the rules for each programme.
Step 6: Go to the interview (if you have to). Some scholarships require interviews.
How much it costs to live in Austria
Compared to Eastern Europe, Austria is not too expensive.
Cost per month on average:
- €800 to €1,300
Costs include:
- Housing
- Food
- Getting around
- Individual requirements
Fully funded scholarships can help pay for these costs or lower them.
Advantages of Studying in Austria
Austria has universities that are known around the world for their high-quality education.
Location in Central Europe You can easily get to other European countries.
Austria is one of the safest countries in Europe and is also beneficial for students.
Programmes taught in English There are many programmes that are in English.
Opportunities for research A lot of support for research and new ideas.
Useful Advice to Boost Your Chances
Focus on the effects on development. Many scholarships in Austria give priority to students who will help their home countries.
Sign up for Erasmus programmes These give you better chances of getting funding.
Write a letter of motivation that is strong Please explain:
- Your objectives
- Why Austria?
- How you plan to use what you know
Target master’s degree programmes Most of the money is for master’s and doctoral programs.
Please apply early, as deadlines are strict and competitive.
Things You Shouldn’t Do
- Expecting full funding for all programmes
- Applying for just one scholarship
- Sending in weak letters of motivation
- Not paying attention to eligibility requirements
- Not meeting deadlines
Last Thoughts
Austria has great scholarship opportunities for students from developing countries, but you need to know how to use them to get ahead.
The most important choices to make are:
- Austrian Development Cooperation Scholarship (best for countries that are still developing)
- Erhard Busek Grant for Master’s Students
- Grant from Ernst Mach for research and exchange
- Erasmus Mundus (a fully funded path)
The most important thing is to
- Aim for the right programmes
- Make sure your applications are strong.
- Use early and often
With good planning, you can study in Austria with full or partial funding and get a high-quality European education.