2025 Supporting African Science and Tertiary Education (SASTE) Grant

📖 About the Grant

The SASTE Grant supports high-potential post-doctoral scientists from Sub-Saharan Africa working in fields such as:

• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Water Management
• Renewable Energies
• Nutritional Science
• Human and Veterinary Medicine

Research projects with strong involvement in Technical Sciences and IT are also eligible. Successful applicants will be embedded in a long-term research setting at a Sub-Saharan African university or research institution (home institution).

Key Details:

• Sponsor Organization: Agency for Education and Internationalization (OeAD)
• Opportunity Location: Austria
• Date Published: April 24, 2025
• Application Deadline: November 30, 2025

🎁 Benefits

The grant provides comprehensive funding, including:

• Duration: 12 to 24 months (no extensions possible)
• Monthly Stipend: €1,500
• Housing Support: Up to €600/month
• Travel Budget: Up to €3,000/year for scientific visits and conferences
• Hosting Institution Costs: Up to €2,500/year (based on the work and budget plan)
• In-Kind Contributions: Support for fieldwork, technical equipment, etc., from the home institution
• Additional Funding: Disclosure of any additional funding related to the proposed research is required.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Post-doctoral Scientists:
   • Under 42 years old (women under 45 if involved in childcare).
2. Research Position:
   • Must hold a research position in Africa and ensure continuation of work at the home institution after the research stay in Austria.
3. PhD:
   • Preferably earned outside Austria (not mandatory).
   • If the PhD and research stay concern the same Austrian university/department, the project must demonstrate novelty.
4. Residency:
   • Must not have studied or worked in Austria in the 6 months prior to the planned stay.
5. Experience:
   • 3 to 7 years of post-doctoral experience at a university or research organization in Sub-Saharan Africa.
6. Contract:
   • Must have a contract with the home institution for at least 2 more years after the research stay.
7. Hosting Institution:
   • Confirmation from the Austrian hosting institution and supervisor to accept the applicant and provide necessary resources.
8. Language Skills:
   • Proficiency in English or German.

📋 Required Application Documents

Applicants must submit the following:

• Research Proposal (6–10 pages):
  • Detailed outline of planned work, methodologies, literature, etc.
  • Justification for the research stay in Austria.
  • Long-term impact on the home institution and region.
• Motivation Letter (up to 2 pages):
  • Reasons for pursuing research in the chosen field and future career expectations.
• Curriculum Vitae:
  • Include a list of publications and scientific achievements.
• Employment Confirmation:
  • Proof of a contract for at least 2 more years after returning from Austria.
• Recommendation Letter:
  • From the head of the home institution, detailing the importance of the applicant's work and its implementation.
• In-Kind Contribution Confirmation:
  • Support provided by the home institution (e.g., fieldwork, personnel).
• Hosting Institution Letter:
  • From the Austrian supervisor, confirming acceptance and provision of necessary resources.
• Disclosure of Additional Funding:
  • Related to the proposed research project.
• Other Documents:
  • Passport copy, birth certificate, judicial record (not older than 3 months).

📅 Application Process

The application process involves the following steps:

1. Document Submission:
   • Email documents 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
       Email: hubert.hasenauer@boku.ac.at
2. Formal Check:
   • Verification of documents against requirements.
3. External Review:
   • Evaluation by two experts.
4. Interview:
   • Conducted by the selection panel.
5. Final Decision:
   • Made by the selection panel.
6. Contract Preparation:
   • With the hosting university.
7. Start of Work:
   • Begin research in Austria.

📌 Additional Information

• Grant holders must open an Austrian bank account for fund transfers.
• Health insurance (costs range from €55–€200/month) is mandatory.
• Accommodation and insurance costs must be covered by the grant holder.
• Compliance with Austrian university admission and residence permit regulations is required.
• Grant holders must submit:
  • Progress reports every 6 months.
  • A final report summarizing achievements.

📅 Application Deadline

November 30, 2025

For more details, refer to the official Call for Applications.

• Grant duration may range between 12 to 24 months, depending on the complexity of the project.
• 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 institution 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 institution (e.g. support for field work, technical equipment etc.).
• Additional funding related to the proposed research is beneficial, but is subject to disclosure.