Stanford University – Distinguished Visiting Austrian Chair Professorship

The Distinguished Visiting Austrian Chair was established in 1976 as a donation of the Republic of Austria to Stanford University on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the United States. This generous donation goes to the Austrian Chair (a 6 month teaching and research appointment at Stanford University, between January and June) every academic year. 

Target Group

The Stanford Chair targets scholars at Associate Professor Rank or above (“Habilitation” or comparable qualification), who are employed at an Austrian university. Professors emeriti or retired professors cannot apply for this program. Scholars whose research interests overlap either with The Freeman Spogli Institute of International Studies and its Europe Center or with fields supported by faculty research in any of the seven schools of Stanford University are also invited to apply.

Call for Applications

Applicants for the Austrian Chair will be invited every three years for three consecutive academic years. Thus, prospective Stanford Chair holders have more time to prepare their visit to Stanford University. The next call will be announced in 2025.

Selection Committee

The selection committee consists of:

  • the chairperson (Vice Rector for Research and International Affairs of the University of Vienna)
  • a representative of the Austrian Ministry for Education, Science and Research
  • a representative of the Austrian Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
  • 4 scholars nominated by the Austrian University Rectors‘ Conference („Österreichische Universitätenkonferenz“)
  • one scholar of the University of Vienna who is in charge of the cooperation with Stanford University

The latter five persons form the jury and will evaluate the applications in their respective field.