VRG26 / Career perspectives and funding phases

Essential considerations of the VRG program are the contractual relationship of the VRG group leader with the host institution, as well as his/her position within the host institution with particular focus on the future career path of the VRG leader, that should ultimately lead to a tenured position.

The steps leading to a tenured position (or an equivalent career path) must be specified in the proposal. This includes that WWTF expects a qualification agreement (“Qualifizierungsvereinbarung”) to be signed within three months after the start of the project.

It is important that the prospective host institution in Vienna provides a well-defined career plan for the candidate, including allowing for independent supervision of PhD candidates upon commencement of the contract. These details will be the basis of the contract in the case of funding.

The funding period of the Vienna Research Group is between six to eight years and has two phases.

• The first phase is the phase before the career step / interim evaluation of the VRG candidate.
• The second phase is the phase after the VRG candidate's career step, e.g. after the positive interim evaluation. In case of a negative result of the interim evaluation, the funding of the group will be discontinued after a "phasing out" period (max. 1 year).