The Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) JESH Fellowship 2026 supported early-career postdoctoral researchers through short international research stays. The 2026 application deadline was July 7, 2026 at 23:59 CEST, so the call is now closed. ÖAW has not published a new 2027 JESH application deadline.
Quick answer: JESH is not a bachelor’s or master’s scholarship for North African students. It is a research-mobility fellowship for eligible postdoctoral researchers from 61 target countries and for Austrian researchers undertaking an outgoing stay. The 2026 award provides €2,700 per month for 1–6 months and covers travel; other expenses and overheads are excluded.
JESH Fellowship 2026 key facts
| Item | Official 2026 details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joint Excellence in Science and Humanities (JESH) |
| Provider | Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW) |
| Program type | Incoming and outgoing postdoctoral research mobility |
| Fields | All fields of research |
| Monthly funding | €2,700 flat rate for accommodation and living expenses |
| Travel | Covered under JESH conditions; check the award documents for the applicable arrangement |
| Duration | 1–6 months |
| Deadline | July 7, 2026 at 23:59 CEST — closed |
| Expected decision | December 2026 |
| Research-stay period | First stays may begin in mid-January 2027; all stays must finish by the end of 2027 |
| Official contact | jesh.application(at)oeaw.ac.at |
Always confirm the call on the official ÖAW JESH program page. The Academy’s current page remains the final source for dates, forms and conditions.
What is the JESH program?
JESH is a mobility scheme designed to strengthen cooperation between excellent early-career researchers abroad and scholars in Austria. It covers all fields of research and is intended to create long-term scientific links and “brain circulation” between Austria and eligible target countries.
JESH Incoming
Incoming applicants are researchers affiliated with an eligible institution in one of the 61 target countries. They propose a research stay at an Austrian public university, an ÖAW institute or another publicly funded research institution in Austria.
JESH Outgoing
Outgoing applicants are researchers affiliated with an Austrian institution. They propose a stay at a public university, national academy of sciences or publicly funded research institution in one of the target countries.
Both routes require real cooperation with a host. JESH is not designed as an independent study trip, degree program or tuition scholarship.
Who was eligible for JESH 2026?
- The applicant had completed a doctorate or PhD no more than 10 years before the relevant cut-off under the call.
- The applicant was affiliated with a university or non-university research institution in a target country for JESH Incoming, or in Austria for JESH Outgoing.
- The home affiliation had to be confirmed by the head of the institution.
- The applicant was expected to return to the home institution after the fellowship.
- Only one application could be submitted per person within the call.
- The proposed host institution had to qualify under the incoming or outgoing rules.
The “10 years” rule refers to research experience following completion of the doctorate, not a requirement to have held a PhD for at least 10 years. The previous article stated this in reverse.
JESH target countries
The official 2026 conditions listed 61 target countries. North African countries such as Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia were included, but the program was much broader.
| Alphabetical group | Eligible target countries |
|---|---|
| A–B | Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria |
| C–H | Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras |
| I–K | India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan |
| L–N | Libya, Malaysia, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia |
| P–S | Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Suriname, Syria |
| T–V | Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam |
Country lists can change between calls. A future applicant should use the list published in the next official JESH conditions rather than assuming the 2026 list will remain identical.
Funding and costs
ÖAW states that JESH covers travel, accommodation and living expenses for a research stay lasting at least one month and no more than six months. Accommodation and living costs are paid as a flat rate of €2,700 per month.
- Payments are made monthly to the scholar’s personal bank account.
- A euro-area bank account is strongly recommended.
- Transfer fees for a non-euro account reduce the amount received.
- Payment cannot be made before the research stay starts.
- Other expenses and institutional overheads are not covered.
The award should not be described as a full degree scholarship. Applicants need a realistic budget for any costs outside the official coverage.
Required application documents
The official JESH application instructions required applications in English and divided the materials into general documents and a project exposé.
| Document | Verified requirement |
|---|---|
| CV and publication list | Academic record and research outputs |
| Applicant questionnaire | Scientific background, qualifications, host collaboration and expected brain-circulation effects |
| Host assessment | Planned cooperation, existing contact, reason for invitation and likely long-term effects |
| Home-institution confirmation | Employment or affiliation confirmed by the head of the institution |
| Project exposé | Maximum five pages covering abstract, research question, methodology, state of research, work plan, expected outcome and bibliography |
ÖAW warned that an exposé exceeding five pages would not enter the selection process. Missing documents could not be added after the deadline.
How the application process works
- Identify an eligible host. Agree on a feasible 1–6 month research collaboration.
- Define the long-term value. Explain how the stay benefits both institutions and the wider research landscape.
- Obtain the host assessment. The host must describe the collaboration, prior contact, invitation and expected impact.
- Secure home-institution confirmation. The head of the institution confirms the applicant’s employment or affiliation.
- Prepare the five-page exposé. Keep the research question, method, timetable and outcomes precise.
- Upload two PDF files. The 2026 process separated general documents from the project exposé.
- Complete the signature step. Applicants received a document to sign, scan and return by email after the online submission.
The 2026 online call is closed. These steps are useful preparation only; a future applicant must follow the forms and submission method published for the next round.
Selection criteria and decision
Formally eligible applications are assessed by the JESH committee, which makes a recommendation to the Presiding Committee of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. ÖAW did not obtain separate external expert opinions for this process.
The published selection criteria were:
- The applicant’s academic qualifications and excellence
- The anticipated long-term effect of the cooperation, including brain circulation, added value for the research landscape and potential synergies
The final decision for the 2026 call was expected in December 2026. Applicants were to be informed immediately afterwards. Review the official JESH selection page for the current wording.
After receiving a fellowship
- The research stay should begin no later than six months after the positive decision.
- For the 2026 call, the earliest stays could begin in mid-January 2027 and all stays had to finish by the end of 2027.
- Other funding applications were allowed, but they and their results had to be disclosed to ÖAW.
- A final report, including a statement from the host institution, was due by email within two months after the stay.
- Failure to follow the conditions could lead to repayment of the fellowship.
Common application mistakes
- Applying as a degree student instead of an affiliated postdoctoral researcher
- Using an ineligible host or failing to secure a detailed host assessment
- Submitting a project exposé longer than five pages
- Describing only personal career benefits without explaining the institutional and research-landscape impact
- Assuming €2,700 covers overheads or every research expense
- Using the closed April 15 or July 7 date for a future call without checking ÖAW
Related research funding
Researchers comparing destinations can review our broader list of study and research funding in Austria. Applicants seeking a longer postdoctoral route may also compare the Humboldt Research Fellowship 2027, while verifying its requirements on the provider’s official site.
Frequently asked questions
Is the JESH Fellowship 2026 still open?
No. The official deadline was July 7, 2026 at 23:59 CEST, and it has passed.
Has a JESH 2027 application deadline been announced?
No new 2027 call deadline is published on the official JESH page. Research stays funded by the 2026 call may occur in 2027, but that is not the same as a new 2027 application cycle.
How much does JESH pay?
The 2026 call provides €2,700 per month as a flat rate for accommodation and living costs for 1–6 months. ÖAW also states that travel is covered; other expenses and overheads are not.
Is JESH only for North African applicants?
No. The 2026 incoming route covered researchers from 61 target countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, while the outgoing route was for Austria-affiliated researchers.
Can a master’s or PhD student apply?
JESH targets early-career researchers who have already completed a doctorate or PhD and meet the affiliation and experience rules. It is not a degree scholarship.
What research fields are eligible?
All fields of research are eligible, provided the applicant, host and proposed cooperation meet the call conditions.
Can a previous applicant apply again?
ÖAW allowed an unsuccessful applicant to submit a revised proposal in a later call if still eligible. A resubmission had to be identified and accompanied by a cover letter explaining the progress made.
Bottom line
The JESH Fellowship is a verified ÖAW postdoctoral mobility program, not a general Austrian Government student scholarship. The 2026 call offered €2,700 per month plus travel support for 1–6 month research stays, and it closed on July 7, 2026. Researchers interested in a future round should build a credible host collaboration, prepare the required English-language documents and wait for ÖAW to publish the next official call rather than inventing a 2027 deadline.