DOC-Programme Information
DOC [Doctoral Fellowship Programme of the Austrian Academy of Sciences]
Program Information
Objectives
The Austrian Academy offers DOC fellowships for the promotion of junior scientists.
These are intended to allow recipients to devote their time solely to their scientific work, thus enabling them to complete their doctoral thesis within a definable period of time.
DOC fellowships offer doctoral candidates the possibility to get the right qualifications for an academic career, that is, to improve their academic qualifications in academic and non-academic fields, increase their capacity to compete internationally or to be involved in inter-national research programmes and projects (if necessary, by staying at research institutions in Austria or abroad).
DOC fellowships are designed to increase Austria's scientific potential and to appeal to female scientists in particular.
The fellowship programme is intended to motivate highly talented students to work in aca-demic fields, to raise the standard of Austrian doctoral theses and to accelerate PhD studies in general.
Requirements
Doctoral students who are Austrian citizens or from South Tyrol as well as doctoral students who are enrolled in a PhD programme at an Austrian university are invited to apply.
Applicants must meet the requirements for starting a doctoral programme at a university. Fur-thermore, they must not be older than 27 when applying or they must have received their degree (Diplom/Master) no longer than two years before the deadline date.
For applicants who interrupted their scientific work for child care, the age-limit will be raised by three years for each child; exceptions will also be made for persons providing proof of military or alternative national service.
Applicants who are not Austrian citizens must be enrolled in a PhD programme at an Austrian university and must complete their dissertation at an Austrian research institution.
DOC fellowships are open to applicants from all fields of science. PhD studies can be con-ducted at universities or other research institutions both in Austria and abroad.
Applicants must prove that they have a connection to scientific research in Austria. Applicants attending a PhD programme at a foreign university must be Austrian citizens and must have completed their Diplom or Master degree at an Austrian university. Moreover, they must include a joint reference letter from their supervisor and an Austrian co-supervisor with their application.
Applicants who have completed their studies within the prescribed minimum length of study and passed their final examination with distinction, are considered favourably in the review process.
Recipients are not permitted to undertake any other paid work or receive other fellow-ships/grants that cover living expenses.
Institutional Integration
Applicants, who must be highly qualified, are required to submit a research proposal, a refer-ence letter from their supervisor, and certificates ensuring that required facilities for the re-search project are available. Invitations from foreign institutions and a short description of the chosen institutions of research should be enclosed.
Fellowships may be paid by means of a salary by a research institution in Austria. In that case, a written agreement for employment by the head of the research institution is neces-sary.
Fellows are expected to spend at least half a year at a research institution abroad.
Payment
At present, DOC fellowships amount to 30,000 euros annually before tax.
A maximum of 1,500 euros may be requested for travel expenses (project-specific travel and accommodation, etc.).
Fellows may obtain funds for essential equipment from other sources.
A maximum of 1,900 euros annually may be paid for child care.
Recipients providing proof of care for at least one child under the age of four (e.g. single par-ents) may apply for a part-time fellowship. In that case, the duration of the fellowship will be extended (not more than half the duration granted).
Payment will not begin before the actual start of the fellowship.
Duration
DOC fellowships are granted for a minimum of 24 months and a maximum of 36 months duration.
After the first half of the duration of the fellowship and at the end of the fellowship recipients have to present detailed work records.
If the conditions of the fellowship are violated, the recipient is required to reimburse all or part of the fellowship.
Application and Acceptance
Applications must be submitted to the Austrian Academy of Sciences.
Applicants will be selected by the Fellowship Committee, which is supported by reviewers both from abroad. Those who are short-listed may be invited for an interview.
This programme is intended as part of the gender mainstreaming strategy, while maintaining a high standard of scientific qualifications. Its aim is to keep the proportion of female applicants and recipients the same.
Applicants are free to submit applications to other institutions (including those offering fellow-ships). However, the Office of Awards and Fellowships of the Austrian Academy of Sciences must be informed about these applications as well as about the outcome.
Transparency of the Review Process
At the first meeting, the Fellowship Committee selects those applications which are to be reviewed by international experts. At the second meeting, the Committee decides about the allocation of the fellowships - this decision is based on the reviews and reports by the mem-bers of the committee.
The reviews are anonymized and forwarded to the applicants. Due to financial constraints, it is possible that applications may be rejected even though they have been evaluated posi-tively.
The decision of the Fellowship Committee is final.
Terms of Application
Applications should be submitted to the Austrian Academy of Sciences by May 15 each year (deadline date). Fellowships will be granted in October. Start of the fellowship is January 1 of the following year.
Legal recourse is excluded.
Legal Status
The Austrian Academy of Sciences does not influence content and organization of research projects. Research plans drawn up by recipients are the criterion for support or continued support.
The Austrian Academy of Sciences does not acquire any rights to research results. It does not influence the cooperation of scientists with research institutions or research groups.
as of Jan. 2011
