Applications are now open for the 2025 Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education (SASTE) Grant. Click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education Grant
Opportunity Details
The SASTE grant supports high potentials from Sub Sahara Africa working in the field of Agriculture, Forestry, Water Management, Renewable Energies, Nutritional Science, Human and Veterinary Medicine for a research stay in Austria. In case of strong involvement of Technical Sciences and IT in research projects of the mentioned fields, these areas of research are also eligible for application. Applicants originating from a certain group of countries of Sub Sahara Africa are preferred in the candidate ranking (see appendix). The successful applicant is embedded in a long-term research setting at a Sub-Sahara African university or research institution (= home institution).
Benefits of Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education Grant
Funding
- Grant duration may range between 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the project. • An extension of the grant is not possible.
- Monthly stipend of 1500 Euro is provided.
- Additional support for housing of up to 600 Euro/month
- Travel budget of up to 3000 Euro/year for scientific visits of the home intuition and scientific conferences
- Costs for the hosting institution in Austria of up to 2500 Euro/year according to work and budget plan as part of the application.
- Confirmation of the necessary in-kind contributions by the home intuition (e.g. support for field work, technical equipment etc.)
- Additional funding related to the proposed research is beneficial, but is subject to disclosure.
Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education Grant Requirements
- Post-doctoral scientists (< 42 years old, women < 45 in case of child care) working in one of the fields of the above listed topics of the call.
- Applicants hold a research position in Africa (which ensures the continuation of the work at the home institution after the research stay in Austria) and have research experience in the field of the proposed research.
- PhD earned from outside Austria is desirable but not obligatory. If PhD earned and application for research stay concern the same university or department in Austria, great importance will be attached to the novel aspect of the research project.
- 6 months prior to the planned stay, the applicant has not studied or worked in Austria
- A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 7 years of post-doctoral work experience within a University or higher research organization located in Sub-Sahara Africa.
- Contract with the home institution for at least 2 more years after the research stay (Confirmation by the home institution is needed, e.g. contract details).
- Confirmation by the Austrian hosting institution and the supervisor to accept the applicant as well as to provide the necessary resources for the research (office space, facilities, time, etc.).
- Excellent language skills in English or German.
Required Application Documents
- Research proposal (6 to 10 pages) with a (i) detailed outline of the planned work, methodologies, literature etc., (ii) why this work needs a research stay in Austria, (iii) the long-lasting impact at the home institution and the region, (iv) any other information supporting the application.
- Motivation letter (up to 2 pages) covering motives for working in research/in a certain field of research, expectations for the future career.
- Detailed Curriculum vitae with the list of publications and scientific achievements.
- Employment confirmation for a contract for a minimum of 2 more years after the return from Austria at the home institution (The contract is needed)
- Recommendation (up to 2 Pages) letter from the head of the unit of the home institution covering (i) the support and the importance of the work of the applicant, and (ii) how this will be implemented and improve the work at the home institution.
- Confirmation of in-kind contributions provided by the home institution (supporting field work, personal etc.)
- Recommendation letter from the head of the unit (1 Page) and the supervisor of the hosting institution (up to 2 pages) in Austria covering (i) the acceptance of the applicant and (ii) the provision of the support (facilities and supervision) needed to achieve the goals of the research proposal.
- Disclosure of additional funding related to the proposed research project.
- Other documents needed for the admission into the hosting institution and for the application for a temporary residence permit: (i) copy of the passport (proof of identity), (ii) birth certificate, (iii) extract from judicial record not older than 3 months.
Any other information:
• Successful applicants need an Austrian bank account to which the grant money is transferred.
• The grant money is only paid for the time the grant holder works in Austria
• Health insurance accepted by the Austrian authorities is required for the duration of their stay in Austria. The monthly costs can vary, at the moment it ranges between 55 to 200 Euro depending on age, and state of health.
• Scholarship holders have to pay the costs for accommodation and insurance by themselves.
• Applicants must comply with the admission regulations of the respective university and with the regulations to obtain and hold a temporary residence permit
• Grant holders are obliged to submit a report on work progress (3 pages) every 6 months. A final report summarizing the achievements according to the grant application is also required. All reports are prepared in collaboration with the supervisor.
• Grant holders are not allowed to take up paid work in Austria.
Application Date and Process
Application and Selection process:
1. Please send your documents by email to:
Univ. Prof. Dr. DDr.h.c. Hubert Hasenauer
President of the Austrian – Africa Uni-Net Institute of Silviculture,
Peter Jordan Strasse 82, 1190 Wien, Austria e-mail: [email protected]
Formal check of the documents according to the requirements
2. External review by two experts
3. Interview by the selection panel
4. Final decision by the selection panel
5. Preparation of the contract with the hosting University
6. Start of the work
Document
Call for Applications
Application Deadline
30 November, 2025
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Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education Grant
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