Welcome, international researchers
Vienna, City of Science and ResearchVienna, Austria’s capital, welcomes researchers with a unique mix of scientific excellence and exceptional quality of life. A dynamic research environment based on academic independence meets a city known for its cultural richness, social stability, and accessible public services; from free education to affordable living among plentiful parks and green spaces.
Vienna has a long and rich scientific tradition: Erwin Schrödinger shaped quantum physics, Sigmund Freud pioneered psychoanalysis, and Lise Meitner co-discovered nuclear fission. More recently, Nobel laureates Anton Zeilinger broke ground in quantum science, Ferenc Krausz and colleagues pushed forward the study of electron dynamics in matter, while CRISPR co-developer Emmanuelle Charpentier advanced her research at the Vienna BioCenter.
Vienna: Discover a city where your research can thrive – and life beyond the lab is just as rewarding.
Research Quota:
4% of the city's gross regional product
193,000 university students, of which ⅓ are international
For those ready to take the next step and accelerate their research career in Austria
Vienna is here to help navigate opportunities and immigration.
Your contact for Vienna’s research landscape:
Your contact for immigration and expat questions:
Explore the funding ecosystem
“ The VRG funding was crucial in helping me relocate my research from Harvard Medical School to Vienna. The Viennese environment and WWTF support offer ideal conditions for my work, complemented by a European Research Council grant from the EU.”
- Sarah Melzer, Department of Neuronal Cell Biology, MedUni Vienna
Vienna research: Cutting-edge science in the most Livable city
Vienna consistently attracts international talent through highly competitive schemes like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. In total, Viennese researchers have secured over 400 European Research Council (ERC) grants, underlining Vienna’s strength in fundamental science. The University of Vienna, one of the oldest and largest in Europe, covers a broad spectrum, from humanities to quantum science. TU Wien is advancing frontier AI research and Digital Humanism with strong links to EU-supported initiatives. In medicine and life sciences, the Medical University of Vienna leads pioneering studies accompanied by world-renowned research institutions like CEMM – Research Center for Molecular Medicine and the Vienna Biocenter. And these are just a few of the city's renowned institutions.
This well-connected infrastructure makes Vienna a highly attractive and inspiring base for researchers aiming to thrive in Europe’s competitive science landscape. Vienna punches above its weight - and that's no Wiener Schmäh.
Explore Universities
Vienna is one of the largest university cities in Europe, home to dozens of institutions of higher learning. Some of the larger universities are listed below, but this is by no means exhaustive. Please find a complete list from the City of Vienna HERE.
Explore Research Institutes
- Vienna BioCenter
- Austrian Academy of Sciences
- Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
- Complexity Science Hub
- AITHYRA, Research Institute for Biomedical Artificial Intelligence
- Center for Molecular Medicine (CeMM)
- International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA)
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
- Christian Doppler Laboratories
- Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS)
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institutes
- Ignaz Semmelweis Institute
- Institute for Human Sciences
- Eric Kandel Institute – Center for Precision Medicine
- IWA - Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and River Research
- Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI)
- Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI)
- MedAustron
Explore Science Infrastructure, Networks, and Initiatives
- Core Research Facilities (Mapping)
- High Performance Computing (MUSICA)
- Austrian Micro Data Center (AMDC)
- Center for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (CAIML)
- Environment and Climate Research Hub
- Riverlab (BOKU University)
- Clusters of Excellence
- Competence Centers for Excellent Technologies (COMET)
Considering a move? Get advice
- Read up
Entry and Residence for Students and Researchers
OEAD, Austria's Agency for Education and Internationalisation, offers information and support for researchers and students interested in studying and working in the country.
- Learn more
Business Immigration Office
Contact the Business Immigration Office for comprehensive and free of cost advice on residence law and foreign nationals employment law. For businesses, researchers, executives and high-qualified workers.
- Consultations for expats
Expat Center
The Expat Center will assist you with your move to Vienna. Get all the information you need to make Vienna your home.
- Explore the network
EURAXESS Support Centers in Vienna
Find various centers in Vienna providing practical support to researchers.
Stories from Vienna
Let's meet.
We're here to help you and your team get off to a great start in Vienna.