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During the doctorate/PhD

    In the section, you will find answers to questions concerning scholarships, networking, change of supervision, or change of topic.

      Scholarships, grants, research projects

        Where can I look for funding possibilities to support my doctoral or PhD studies?

            As a doctoral candidate, I would like to collaborate in a research project. How does this work, and where can I apply? Do I have to be enrolled for this purpose?

              Usually, the supervisors try to offer their candidates the chance to work on research projects. Therefore, doctoral candidates are often already involved in the project during its application phase. Please ask your supervisors whether they are thinking of leading or submitting a project themselves or whether they know of other projects planned in their respective fields. Jobs advertised for research project work and other positions at the Academy can be found here.
              Whether you need to be enrolled or not will also depend on how the respective research project is being financed. Depending on the type of grant, you will either have to enroll during the application, or with the start of the project at the latest, or not at all. If you wish to do a doctoral program at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, you must be enrolled here. If you are not, you will only be regarded as an employee in a research project team and paid according to your degree and experience.

                Can I work on a research project as a doctoral candidate while writing my doctoral thesis on a different topic?

                  Yes, this is generally possible. Participation in a research project does not necessarily require your doctoral thesis to focus on the same topic. However, you should discuss this with your supervisor and the project leader beforehand to ensure that the arrangement is compatible with your workload, research goals, and the requirements of both the project and your doctoral studies.

                  What funding does the Academy offer for PhD students?

                  The academy supports doctoral/PhD in the final phase of the dissertation for six months - there is a call for submissions every fall. Furthermore, the Center for Doctoral Studies awards travel allowances for active participation in conferences in their field (Dr.phil., Dr.rer.nat., Dr.techn., PhD in Practice), or the realization/presentation of art projects related to their PhD project (PhD in Practice only). Further information on the grants for doctoral students can be found here.

                  In addition to the grants, which are explicitly addressed to doctoral/PhD students, the Academy has several other grants for students; an overview can be found here.

                  Networking/Scientific Communities

                    How can I keep up-to-date with regard to current activities and offers of the Center for Doctoral Studies or be informed about interesting events and conferences, calls, grants, etc.?

                      Via the mailing list all doctoral and PhD students are being informed about any offers, activities, and news of the Center for Doctoral Studies, as well as about current events, calls, grants, etc., that might be interesting. The emails go to the Academy email addresses of all doctoral students (e.g., r9999999@student.akbild.ac.at). To keep up-to-date, please check your Academy email account or have your mails forwarded to an account of your choice.

                          I am a doctoral candidate at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna and would like to have my dissertation or PhD project entered into the database of the Center for Doctoral Studies. How can I achieve this?

                            To have your dissertation or PhD project presented at the Academy's website under Dissertation and PhD projects, please submit the required information via this call.

                              Is there a student representative for doctoral candidates at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna?

                                Yes, there is a student representation for doctoral candidates at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna by the student union (ÖH).

                                  How can I engage with and establish connections within the international scientific/artistic community in my field?

                                    Supervisors have a key role in the integration process of their doctoral candidates into the relevant scientific/artistic community. Generally, conferences or artistic events are important community events and meeting points. Please do talk with your supervisor about which events are relevant in your field and agree on which events you should visit in the course of your doctorate and in the following year. It is recommended to include and update these plans in the Dissertation Agreement.

                                    For active participation in conferences, congresses, symposia, exhibitions, and art projects, which are directly linked to your dissertation or PhD project, there are travel allowances for doctoral candidates by the Center for Doctoral Studies. Find more information here.

                                      I would like to study abroad. How can I do that?

                                        Studies abroad are an essential asset of a résumé and a valuable life experience. There are grants and possibilities of funding for studies abroad. You can find information on your possibilities to study abroad on the web section of our International Office.

                                        Is it possible to change my thesis/PhD supervisor?

                                          Yes, it is possible to change your supervisor at any point during your doctoral studies before the final submission of your doctoral thesis. Note that the first supervisor must be a member of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, and the such changes must be approved by the respective competent body responsible for study matters.

                                          In the event of a change of supervisor, a new Dissertation Agreement must be concluded, submitted, and approved. Changing supervision may require adjustments to your research project, collaboration arrangements, and work plan, and may potentially result in an extension of your study period.

                                          Please note that the PhD in Practice program follows a different structure, with fixed supervisors; a change of supervisors in the PhD in Practice is therefore not possible. For information about submitting the Dissertation Agreement, please contact our Registrar's Office.

                                            I would like to change the topic of my doctoral thesis or PhD project. Is this possible?

                                              Until you actually submit your doctoral thesis or PhD project, respectively, you have the possibility of changing your topic. Such changes must, however, be agreed upon with your supervisor(s) and authorized by the respective competent body responsible for study matters. A change of topic must be added to the existing Dissertation Agreement or PhD Project Agreement, respectively, as an amendment. Please contact our Registrar's Office.