European Forum Alpbach EFA26 Scholarship Programme 2026 for First-Time Participants
Organization: European Forum Alpbach
Program: EFA Scholarship Programme
Category: Scholarship
Application Deadline: 22 March 2026, 11:59 p.m. CET
Location: Alpbach
The European Forum Alpbach has opened applications for its EFA26 Scholarship Programme. The programme supports first-time participants who want to join the European Forum Alpbach and take part in seminars, studios, the conference programme, and social and cultural activities. According to the official page, around 350 scholarships are awarded each year by the European Forum Alpbach and the Forum Alpbach Network.
Programme Scope
The scholarship page states that students, young professionals, and changemakers from around the world come to Alpbach to attend scientific, competence-based, and artistic seminars and studios, engage in a high-level conference programme, and join a wide range of social and cultural activities. Scholarship holders are described as the only participants who stay for the entire duration of the Forum.
Scholarship Coverage
The EFA scholarship covers the participation fee and accommodation costs. The page also notes that applicants may request additional support if food, transportation, special needs, or other remaining costs would create a financial burden. This extra support depends on available funds and on the solidarity of other participants.
Applicants with sufficient financial means are encouraged to cover their own accommodation costs of €49.00 per night, which the page lists as a total of €539 for 11 nights of EFA26, with bookings arranged by EFA.
Who Can Apply
The official criteria say the scholarship is open to applicants from all countries and disciplines. Artists and non-graduates are also invited to apply.
Main Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet the conditions listed on the scholarship page:
First-Time Status
Applicants must not have received a scholarship from the European Forum Alpbach before. The page adds that those who attended the Forum virtually in 2020 or 2021 may still apply.
Age
Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of the forum, or between 18 and 35 for citizens of the Global South.
English Level
Fluent English is required, with a minimum of B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference. Supporting documents must be provided as proof of English proficiency.
Academic or Qualification Record
Applicants must upload their most recent qualification or academic record.
Full Attendance
All applicants must be ready to attend the full duration of the European Forum Alpbach. The page states that earlier departure is only possible from 31 August onward in exceptional and duly justified cases with prior approval from the EFA team. Departures before that date lead to scholarship withdrawal.
Priority Considerations
The page encourages applications from candidates coming from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, members of ethnical or religious minorities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disabilities, and refugees or displaced persons. Applicants who identify with one of these groups may mention it in their motivational statement, and the jury will take it into consideration.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply either through EFA’s application portal or through one of the Forum Alpbach Network alumni clubs.
FAN Route
Applicants with a regional affiliation, including nationality or present or past residency status, with a FAN club that offers its own scholarships are asked to apply through that club. The page lists these clubs as CA Burgenland, CA Czechia & Slovakia, CA Liechtenstein, CA Niederösterreich, CA Poland, CA Upper Austria, CA Salzburg, CA Senza Confini, CA Steiermark, CA Südtirol Alto Adige, CA Tirol, CA Vorarlberg, and IG Wien. Their websites should be checked for specific selection processes and criteria.
EFA Route
Applicants should apply via EFA if the club in their country does not have a separate selection process or if there is no club in their country. The page says the EFA scholarship programme is open to international applicants from all regions of the world, with a special focus on Europe outside Austria. Applications through EFA are not considered if the applicant has a connection to one of the clubs that has its own application process.
Applications through EFA must be submitted through the online application platform. The page clearly states that incomplete applications, applications sent by email, and late submission of missing documents will not be accepted.
Taiwan Procedure
For nationals of ROC Taiwan or permanent residents in Taiwan, the page states that there is a special application procedure through the Lung Yingtai Cultural Foundation.
Documents to Prepare
The scholarship page outlines the documents applicants should prepare in advance.
English Proof
Accepted proof includes a language certificate not older than three years showing B2 level, including examples such as TOEFL with a minimum score of 72, IELTS with a minimum score of 5.5, Cambridge English Scale Score minimum 160, MUET minimum 4, and Duolingo minimum 115. Other accepted proof includes study in an English-speaking country, graduation from an English-speaking high school, proof that a degree is taught entirely in English, a passport for native speakers from the listed majority English-speaking countries, or confirmation from a school, employer, or university professor stating that the applicant has reached B2 or an equivalent level.
Latest Record
Applicants currently studying must upload their latest transcript of records, and only transcripts from 2025 or 2026 can be considered. Those who recently completed studies must upload their latest diploma, including A-levels issued in 2024 or later, apprenticeship or other vocational training, or university degree. Applicants currently working must upload proof of employment together with their latest diploma. If the transcript or certificate is not in German or English, a translation must also be attached, and it does not need to be certified.
CV and Motivation
The EFA application platform also asks applicants to fill out CV details and explain their motivation to attend EFA.
AI Use Rule
The page states that applications containing a letter of motivation generated by Artificial Intelligence will be removed from the selection process and disqualified in advance if they do not meet the minimum criteria.
Q&A Webinar
The page also promotes a Q&A webinar for the EFA26 scholarship programme. The next listed session is Webinar #3 on Tuesday, 17 March 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. CET.
