The ISTernship Fellowship offers excellent opportunities for students and recent graduates interested in developing their scientific research skills in a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research institute. Since 2013, each Summer, selected ISTerns (ISTernship fellowship holders) from across the world join ISTA for a period of 2 to 3 months to work on their research projects in agreement with ISTA’s host professors.
ISTerns benefit from the supervision and collaboration of ISTA’s research groups and take part in a tailored program with a series of events to make the most of their experience on campus! The program culminates with a poster session where ISTerns present their work to the broader ISTA community.
Selected applicants receive financial and administrative support from ISTA’s Graduate School and OeAD.
APPLYING FOR THE NEXT INTAKE
Applications for the 2025 intake are now closed. The final deadline for applications was February 5, 2025, at 15:00 CET.
All applicants will receive their results via email by April 7, 2025. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
2026 Intake Applications: Details will be announced in December 2025.
FELLOWSHIP RESEARCH PROJECT
Selected ISTerns will decide together with the host professor on a research project to work on. The fellowship opportunities are available across all areas of basic research at ISTA: biology, computer science, data science & scientific computing, mathematics, physics, neuroscience, chemistry & materials, and interdisciplinary areas.
FELLOWSHIP DURATION
2 – 3 months between May 15 and September 15. The exact dates and length are decided with host professors after selected applicants receive an offer.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
We welcome applicants from across the world. Applicants must be enrolled in either bachelor’s or master’s degrees and be in good standing at a degree-granting institution:
Current students and recent graduates with bachelor’s or master’s degrees (or equivalent) from all disciplines of the natural sciences, mathematics, computer sciences, physics, chemistry, and any related interdisciplinary areas are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have completed at least the second year or fourth semester of their bachelor’s studies before the respective start date.
Applicants who graduated within a year from the program start date are also eligible to apply. That means applicants who graduated before May 15, 2024, are not eligible to apply for the program.
Students accepted to or enrolled in a PhD program are not eligible to apply.
ISTernship applicants can also apply for ISTA’s PhD program; however, if they are invited to an interview for the PhD program, they will be ineligible for the ISTernship program.
All short-term mobility programs between ISTA and Russia have been suspended. As a result, any applicants currently enrolled in universities located in Russia are ineligible to apply for the ISTernship call.
PREPARING YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS
Applicants must submit their application via our system. All submitted applications with at least one completed reference will be reviewed. Please ensure to prepare the following documents/information that will be required to be uploaded to your application:
- CV/Resume
- Statement of Purpose
- Contact information of 1 or 2 referees
- 1 – 2 names of participating ISTA host professor(s)
- University transcripts and diplomas
This includes all degree programs and all years attended and/or currently enrolled. An original language version and English translation are recommended. Unofficial translations made by the applicant are accepted.
We do not require any English language tests. Applicants’ English skills will be evaluated through their application components.
Applicants should not contact professors to apply for the ISTernship Fellowship.
TIPS FOR APPLICANTS
We encourage applicants to strengthen their application using their CV and statement of purpose as an opportunity to showcase their skills, interests, and motivations to participate in the program. The CV and statement of purpose will be used to evaluate your candidacy alongside other components of your application. You can see some tips below to keep in mind when preparing your CV and Statement of Purpose.
CV/Resume
We provide a template of CV (Word format) with sections that are relevant for the ISTernship Fellowship. You can download this template and modify it with your information as you see fit. You can also remove sections that are not applicable to your situation. Your CV can be uploaded to your application as a Word or PDF document.
This is a recommended template, and you can decide to use it or not. All applications will be reviewed equally regardless of which CV template is submitted.
Download the file here: ISTernship_CV_Template
Statement of Purpose:
The statement of purpose is a fundamental component of your application; it is a chance for you to stand out in the selection process. Please ensure you take time to craft a document that is authentic, unique, and that clearly states your motivation to apply for the ISTernship Fellowship. There are no specific rules on the format of the statement of purpose, however, you may want to consider the following:
- What is your motivation to participate in the ISTernship Fellowship?
- Why have you specifically chosen the professor(s)/research group(s) indicated in your application?
- What skills do you want to develop and/or what skills do you wish to learn during the ISTernship Fellowship?
- What impact will the ISTernship Fellowship have on your science journey?
FELLOWSHIP SUPPORT
All ISTerns receive administrative support with travel and visa arrangements if required. Each ISTern receives compensation to assist with the cost of living in Austria and travel to and from Austria.
The program will be conducted in English. 100% in-person uninterrupted presence is required for participation in the program.
MONTHLY SCHOLARSHIP PAYMENTS
ISTerns receive a monthly fellowship payment of 1.150 Euros to cover basic living expenses. The fellowship is developed in cooperation with OeAD, the Austrian Agency for Education and Internationalisation. OeAD handles the scholarship payments for a period of up to 3 months between May 15 and September 15.
TRAVEL ALLOWANCE
All ISTerns receive a travel allowance to cover the costs of round-trip transportation to ISTA.
HEALTH INSURANCE
OeAD will assist all ISTerns in obtaining health insurance for the duration of their stay in Austria with the ISTernship Program.
HOUSING
ISTerns will have access to subsidized accommodation on campus – in the ISTA-owned and operated guest house, or accommodation in OeAD-operated student residences in Vienna.
This is a great way to connect with the student community outside of labs and classrooms.
Questions?
Please consult our FAQ for more information about the program.
If your question is not answered by the FAQ, please reach out to us via isternship@ista.ac.at
ISTernship Community
There are several events either specifically organized for ISTerns or open to ISTerns aimed at making their time at ISTA as valuable as possible.
- Presentations providing short overviews of the research conducted in groups at ISTA given by the relevant professors or their Postdocs (July & August).
- Invitation to annual ISTA events over the summer.
- Annual poster session in which ISTerns prepare a poster detailing their research project at ISTA (August).
Three former ISTerns, Siong Chen Meng, Marta Luterek, and Gabriele Quaranta, talk about their experiences and offer tips for a successful application.
Marta Luterek: I’ve spent my ISTernship in the Loose group, where I gained insights into the molecular mechanisms that drive intracellular self-organization. I gained a lot of confidence working independently and analyzing data, as I got great supervision from my mentors in the lab. Moreover, I developed my practical skills in multiple techniques, particularly protein purification and TIRF microscopy. I also enjoyed the challenge of preparing a poster at the end of my stay. Most importantly, I met many other ISTerns, with whom I became great friends.
Gabriele Quaranta: I was an ISTern at the Novarino Lab and contributed to a project that aims to discover the role of extracellular proteins in autism and neurodevelopmental disorders. During my time in the lab, I learned many new techniques and how to design experiments. My amazing supervisors guided me through the whole process, teaching me “the secrets of the job” and allowing me to learn from my mistakes. Thanks to this valuable experience, I’m looking forward to continuing my studies in the field of neuroscience.
Siong Chen Meng: At ISTA, I worked in the Palacci group, studying the behavior of artificial swimmers on curved surfaces. I learned a lot during my ISTernship, such as how to code in MATLAB—a programming platform—and how to use an optical microscope. However, my most important takeaway was how to present my research. With the help of my supervisors, I was able to craft a presentation that not only told a story but also provided the details needed for others to understand my research. On top of that, I appreciated the diverse and international nature of my fellow ISTerns. It was amazing to learn about their cultures and histories.
Learn more here.
Benefits of the ISTernship – ISTA Summer Fellowship
- Monthly compensation
- Access to affordable health insurance
- Allowance for travel costs
- Housing on campus or in the OeAD residences in Vienna
- Free access to the ISTA shuttle bus with hourly service to Vienna on business days
In cooperation with 
For information about scientific internships (year-round) at ISTA, please see this page.