CORE (Collection Research) Grant

The CORE (Collection Research) Grant 2026, offered by the Oberösterreichische Landes-Kultur GmbH (OÖLKG) in Austria, supports short-term research visits for international scientists to engage with its extensive natural history collections. This grant initiative aims to reinforce the institution's role as a pivotal hub for collection-based biodiversity research, focusing on areas such as taxonomy and phylogenetics. Furthermore, it reflects OÖLKG’s active participation in the Consortium of European Taxonomic Facilities (CETAF) and the Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo), two leading European collaborative infrastructures dedicated to scientific collections and taxonomy. The program is specifically designed for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and other qualified scientists who are based outside Austria. These applicants must demonstrate a documented research record relevant to the OÖLKG collections. Notably, the grant is open to researchers from around the world, including those based in the United States and other non-EU countries, as long as they are not Austrian residents. The goal is to encourage global scholarship and promote cross-border scientific exchange around the museum’s rich biological and paleontological assets. Grantees will receive several forms of support during their research stay. This includes free accommodation in OÖLKG guest facilities, reimbursement for travel expenses, and weekly allowances of €400. However, the financial allowance is reserved for researchers who are not permanently employed or who work freelance. The expected duration of the visit typically ranges from one week to one month, although exceptional cases of up to three months may be considered. The OÖLKG’s collections are substantial, with over 15 million objects spanning botany, zoology, and paleontology. Key highlights include over 1.2 million botanical specimens, a globally significant invertebrate collection excluding insects (approximately 8.5 million specimens), a 5.5 million-strong entomological collection with a focus on Hymenoptera, and a vertebrate collection emphasizing birds and mammals of Upper Austria. The geosciences collection features over 60,000 specimens, notably vertebrate fossils from the Northern Alpine Foreland Basin and cephalopods from the Northern Calcareous Alps, including the distinguished Schaffer collection. The application process requires applicants to first contact [email protected] to coordinate with an appropriate host and to confirm the availability of relevant collections and facilities. A complete application must include an online form, a project proposal (PDF), a CV (PDF), and a publication list (PDF). The submission must also confirm acceptance of the program's terms and conditions. Two separate application deadlines are available: December 31, 2025, and May 31, 2026. Notification of awards will occur in January and June 2026, respectively. Projects must begin from January or June and must be concluded within the calendar year 2026. Researchers are allowed to coordinate with their host for the exact timing of their visit within this window. Further information and program inquiries can be directed to the official email address [email protected]. A grant information PDF is also available at https://www.ooekultur.at/files/userdata/Wettbewerbe-und-Stipendien/CORE/OOELKG_CORE%20Grant%20Folder.pdf. This grant presents a valuable opportunity for scientists interested in working with internationally significant natural history collections in Austria while contributing to global biodiversity research initiatives.