Fulbright Austria (the Austrian-American Educational Commission) and the Diplomatische Akademie Wien – Vienna School of International Studies jointly offer one Fulbright U.S. Student Program grant each year.
The grantee enrolls in Vienna in the Academy’s one-year Diploma Programme, or in one year of its two-year master’s programs: Advanced International Studies (MAIS), Environmental Technology and International Relations (ETIA), or Digital International Affairs (DIA).
Benefits & funding
- Tuition for the grant year, valued at €15,500, paid jointly by Fulbright Austria and the Academy; only one year of a two-year master’s is funded
- €745 a month for room and board for nine months, living on or off campus
- €2,000 travel and relocation allowance; accident and sickness cover up to US$100,000
- No support for dependents
Eligibility
- US citizens or nationals at the deadline; permanent residents are not eligible; dual US–Austrian citizens only in special circumstances
- A university degree in any discipline (at least 180 ECTS or equivalent) before the grant starts; graduating seniors may apply
- Excellent English; the Diploma also expects good German or French plus basic skills in the other; MAIS, ETIA and DIA are taught in English, intermediate German recommended
- Not eligible: PhD holders by the deadline, or anyone who lived abroad five or more of the six years before it
- Not eligible: living in Austria for six months or more in the year before the grant
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“The following individuals are not eligible for consideration: … Applicants who currently hold or will hold a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) by the national application deadline. … Anyone who has resided abroad for five or more years in the six-year period preceding the national application deadline. … Residency in Austria (living in Austria for six or more months) is NOT permitted in the year prior to the grant.” Eligibility
Eligible nationalities
USA
Education required
Bachelor Enrolled · Bachelor
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Application process
- 1Pick the Academy program; contacting its admissions office is advised, while a separate Academy application is optional.
- 2Submit the Fulbright online application, choosing “Diplomatic Academy US Student Award”, with three recommendations by 6 October 2026 (Fulbright Austria lists 7 October, 17:00 ET).
Program timeline
6 October 2026
Fulbright deadline (2027–28 cycle)
recommended / not recommended notice
End of January 2027
final selections, on a rolling basis
Spring 2027
orientation in Vienna
Mid- to late September 2027
grant starts, for nine months
October 2027