About Arqus
The Arqus European University Alliance brings together the Universities of Granada, Graz, Leipzig, Lyon 1, Maynooth, Minho, Padua, Vilnius and Wroclaw. Promoting joint transformative disciplinary and interdisciplinary research is one of the main goals of the Alliance.
Objective of the Call
The Arqus International Research Fellowship offers the chance to carry out research, establish larger research collaborations, and prepare applications for third-party funding during a stay of up to four months at an Arqus partner university.
The long-term objective of the call is to establish sustainable research collaborations between the Arqus partner universities.
Target group
This call addresses tenure-track position holders and researchers with a doctorate employed at the University of Graz who have to fulfil a qualification/development agreement.
Funding framework
- The maximum funding period is four months, with one interruption of the stay permitted.
- The maximum funding amount per scholarship is €10,000. Eligible costs include travel and accommodation, as well as material costs if required. The Guidelines for Travel Subsidies for Academic Staff are to be applied.
- The research stay must be conducted between 1 April 2026 and 31 December 2027.
Requirements
- Active employment contract with University of Graz; approved leave of absence during the scholarship period.
- The host institution is an Arqus partner university (mandatory invitation letter; preferred confirmation of visiting researcher status from the hosting Arqus partner university).
- Summary report of outcomes and detailed collaboration plan after the stay at the Arqus partner university.
Application Submission and Deadline
The application including all documents is to be submitted to the Arqus Office in PDF format (via email: arqus(at)uni-graz.at). The deadline for submission is 31 January 2026 at 23:59 local time.
Required documents for application:
- Completed application template
- Curriculum vitae of the applicant
- Invitation letter from the Arqus partner university issued by hosting institute/centre
- A letter of support from the University of Graz's institute/centre addressing plans for teaching arrangements, where applicable.
Selection Process
- Formal application requirements are being checked by the Arqus office.
- Applicants will be evaluated and ranked by a selection panel consisting of academics and experts in internationalisation, research career development and vice-rectors for internationalisation and research.
Selection Criteria
- Potential for applicants to further develop their research careers, and, where applicable, their research methods, during their stay.
- Potential to initiate or expand research collaborations with the Arqus partner university.
- Potential to initiate and submit international third-party funding applications with the Arqus partner university.
- Consideration of applicants' academic qualifications and previous international networking activities.
- Consideration of the comprehensibility and feasibility of the proposed time and cost plan for the guest stay.
Financial Guideline
Research mobility administered as approved leave with travel allowance (“Freistellung mit Reisekostenzuschuss”).
Eligible Expenses:
- Travel expenses to Host institution (arrival/departure).
- Accommodation.
- Additional care costs.
- Material resources (where applicable).
Non-Eligible Expenses: Personnel costs, Administrative overhead, Subsistence expenses, Travel cancellation insurance, Health insurance, …
Approval
End of February 2026.
Maximum Number of Scholarships Awarded
2