Dear Students – Bachelor’s and Master’s degree candidates, Directors of Educational and Research Institutes, Deans of Faculties, Heads of Departments, and Academic Mentors!
Poltava Polytechnic has launched an institutional information and consultation drive for undergraduate and graduate students applying for the Austrian Government’s prestigious scholarship program – “Ernst Mach Grant for studying at an Austrian university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule)”. This initiative provides students with an unparalleled opportunity to complete a semester- or year-long study period at top Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences with full grant support from the Republic of Austria.
This flagship mobility framework of the Austrian Republic aims to promote institutional research collaboration, nurture early-career academics, and expand an international network of scholars with strong ties to Austria.
For students at National University “Yuri Kondratyuk Poltava Polytechnic”, the Ernst Mach Grant represents a gateway to top-tier Austrian applied laboratories, modern project-based curricula, and a cross-cultural European academic experience that will substantially boost their international employability.
Profile of Target Institutions and Fields of Study
Funding is granted exclusively for studies at accredited Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences (Fachhochschulen) funded primarily by the BMFWF. These institutions specialise in hands-on training, industry-driven R&D, and engineering innovation.
You can explore the full list of institutions and available degree programs at: fachhochschulen.ac.at/en/.
Eligible Academic Fields
- Technical Sciences & Engineering: Information Technology, Automation, Applied Mechanics, Civil Engineering, Renewable Energy, Material Sciences.
- Natural Sciences: Applied Physics, Environmental Sciences, Industrial Biotechnology.
- Social & Economic Sciences: International Business, Management, Innovation, Media & Digital Design.
- Human Medicine & Health Sciences: Biomedical Engineering, Healthcare Technologies, Public Health.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be registered students at Poltava Polytechnic and satisfy all the following requirements:
- Academic Standing at the Time of Taking up the Grant: students pursuing a Master’s degree; OR students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree who have completed at least 4 semesters of study before commencing their mobility in Austria.
- Age Limit: Up to 35 years of age (born on or after October 1, 1991).
- Language Proficiency: high-level competence in English and/or German, compliant with the requirements of the chosen Austrian degree program.
- Host Institution Confirmation: candidates must independently secure acceptance as an exchange student or free mover from an Austrian Fachhochschule before submitting the application.
Mobility Regulations
Candidates must not have lived, studied, or conducted academic work in Austria during the six months preceding the grant period.
Individuals who completed most of their higher education in Austria or reside there permanently are not eligible.
The scholarship can be used only once under this program.
Financial Conditions and Living Arrangements
The Ernst Mach Grant serves as a supplementary grant:
Monthly Grant Allowance: €1,300 per month.
Duration: 4 to 10 months (one semester or a full academic year). All mobility projects must be concluded by the end of 2028.
Tuition Fee Waiver: the Rectorate of the hosting University of Applied Sciences may waive tuition fees upon application for exchange scholars.
Accommodation: OeAD Student Housing assists scholarship holders with room reservations (subject to quota availability). Students bear all living expenses. (Note: If accommodation costs exceed €386.43/month, non-EU candidates planning stays over 6 months may be required to prove supplementary financial assets for their Austrian residence permit).
Health Insurance: Austrian authorities require mandatory insurance to be held throughout the stay. OeAD assists with enrollment; monthly costs average €55 to €200.
Travel Allowance: grantees travelling from eligible developing countries (DAC list) can claim an airfare/travel subsidy of up to €1,200 upon submitting verified original receipts.
Academic Performance Requirements
Grantees are obligated to obtain a minimum of 16 ECTS credits per semester.
For grants exceeding one semester, continued funding for the second term requires submitting verified proof of at least 16 ECTS earned during the first term by March 15, 2028. Failure to produce these credits terminates the grant automatically on March 31, 2028.
Grantees must remain in continuous physical residence at their Austrian host institution.
Gainful employment is prohibited, except for marginal employment in research or artistic projects up to €551.10/month (2026 limit).
Submit a final academic report to OeAD at the end of the mobility stay.
Required Application Dossier
All application materials must be in English or German and submitted online:
- Two Letters of Recommendation from university lecturers/supervisors (issued on official university letterhead, signed, stamped, and dated within 6 months of application).
- Confirmation from Home University (Poltava Polytechnic) verifying that credits completed in Austria will be officially recognised (e.g., an agreed Learning Agreement).
- Official Confirmation of Acceptance as an exchange student or free mover from the Austrian University of Applied Sciences.
- Copy of International Passport (photo/data page).
- Official Transcript of Records detailing academic standing to date, accompanied by an authorised translation.
Academic Integrity Notice: Any use of Generative AI tools in preparing application materials must be explicitly disclosed in the online application portal.
Application Procedure and Institutional Deadlines
Applications are submitted individually by candidates through the Austrian Scholarship Database:
Application System: www.scholarships.at
Official Closing Deadline: February 1, 2027.
- Evaluation Stages:
- Formal eligibility review;
- Plausibility assessment of the study proposal;
- Independent expert panel scoring;
- Final award decision by the Austrian Federal Ministry (BMFWF).
Institutional Coordination at Poltava Polytechnic
The International Relations Office provides advisory support for partner matching, Learning Agreement validation, and Transcript of Records issuance:
International Relations Office: Room 213-C (Central Building)
✉️ Email: interoffice@nupp.edu.ua
University International Relations Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Anna Pavelieva (+380959108192).
Austrian Program Administration (OeAD-GmbH):
Email: mach-fh@oead.at | Tel: +43 1 53408-460
Official Portal: grants. at
