idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) invites journalists to apply for its annual, generously funded residency program starting spring 2026. Come spend 3 to 6 months on ISTA’s vibrant, interdisciplinary campus near Vienna, gaining exclusive access to world-class researchers from a wide range of fields. Engage with innovative minds, deepen your reporting and perspectives, and connect society with scientific discovery.
Where cutting-edge research supports compelling storytelling. Apply now for the ISTA Journalist in Residence program.
Deadline: October 31, 2025
Start: Spring 2026
About ISTA
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) is a rapidly growing, PhD-granting academic institution with a bold mission – to ask curiosity-driven questions and push the boundaries of basic research through collaboration across disciplines. With an expanding, state-of-the-art campus that first opened in 2009, ISTA currently hosts around 90 research groups and 78 nationalities. From AI to astrophysics and the climate to quantum mechanics, research areas span the natural sciences, computer science and mathematics. Building on the momentum of recent years, ISTA is charting an ambitious course and on track to reach 150 research groups and more than 2,000 employees by 2036.
ISTA is a hub where science sparks innovation, engagement, and real-world impact. The Institute not only trains the next generation of scientific leaders but also strives to bring science closer to society through a variety of outreach programs – from the new VISTA Science Experience Center to start-ups and spin-offs supported by the XISTA ecosystem.
The Residency at a Glance:
• Duration: 3 to 6 months (starting in spring 2026)
• Compensation: €15,000 plus travel expenses
• Location: ISTA’s campus, Klosterneuburg (near Vienna, Austria)
• Eligibility: Experienced science or technology journalists (all formats welcome)
• Language: While English is ISTA’s working language, journalists publishing/producing in other languages are also encouraged to apply.
• Commitments: Journalists are expected to host interactive media training sessions and workshops, and participate in lectures and/or panel discussions to share their science communications expertise with the ISTA community.
• Housing: Participants cover their own room and board costs. Depending on availability, journalists can either live on campus within walking distance of the Vienna Woods or look for more urban accommodation in downtown Klosterneuburg or nearby Vienna.
Why Apply?
• Access – Interview leading scientists from around the world at one of Europe’s fastest-growing research institutes to enrich your reporting.
• Inspiration – Attend campus seminars, lectures, and events to spark fresh story ideas and gain rare insights into ongoing frontier research.
• Network – Connect with ISTA researchers and the wider ISTA community to build sources and relationships that will last beyond your stay.
• Focus – Dedicate time to your writing and/or multimedia projects in a stimulating yet tranquil setting, with all that Vienna has to offer right at your doorstep.
Application Requirements:
To apply, please submit the following materials to journalistresidency@ista.ac.at by October 31, 2025:
• CV
• Cover letter
• Samples of your best work (any format)
• Proposal of planned activities while at ISTA
• Names of 2 to 3 research groups you wish to engage with during the residency
For more details, please visit: https://ista.ac.at/residencies/
https://ista.ac.at/residencies/ Link to ISTA website with more application details
Collaboration is key to answering curiosity-based questions at the Institute of Science and Technolo ...
Copyright: © Nadine Poncioni / ISTA
The modern, interdisciplinary campus of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) in Kl ...
Copyright: © Anna Stöcher / ISTA
Criteria of this press release:
Journalists
interdisciplinary
transregional, national
Miscellaneous scientific news/publications
English
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