The Complete Guide to Contacting the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW): Phone, Email, and Official Channels

Navigating a large research institution like the Austrian Academy of Sciences (Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, OeAW) can be challenging. Whether you’re a journalist, a fellowship applicant, a researcher seeking collaboration, or a member of the public, finding the right contact is crucial. This guide consolidates all verified contact information, explains whom to contact for specific needs, and provides practical tips to ensure your inquiry reaches the correct department efficiently.

Official Headquarters & General Contact Information

For general, non-specific inquiries, the central Public Relations and Communications team is your primary point of contact.

Main Office Address:

Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 2, 1010 Vienna, Austria

General Inquiries Contact:

  • Email: public.relations(at)oeaw.ac.at
  • Phone: +43 1 51581-1331 (You may also try extensions 1332, 1333, or 1334).

This team handles: Press and media requests, general questions about the Academy’s work, and can redirect you to the appropriate institute or department.


Key Department Contact Numbers & Emails

To save time, always contact the specific department relevant to your query. Here are the most frequently sought-after contacts.

Department / PurposePrimary Contact EmailPrimary Contact PhoneNotes
General Inquiries & Presspublic.relations(at)oeaw.ac.at+43 1 51581-1331First point of contact for media and public.
Fellowships & Grantsstipref(at)oeaw.ac.at+43 1 51581-1310For questions about JESH, DOC, APART-GSK programs.
IT Support & Helpdeskhelpdesk(at)oeaw.ac.atNot specified in dataFor technical issues within the OeAW network.
Works Councilbetriebsrat(at)oeaw.ac.at+43 1 51581-1213 (Chairman)For internal staff matters.
Austrian Archaeological Institute (OeAI)oeai(at)oeaw.ac.at+43 1 51581-3483For general archaeological inquiries.
Institute for Comparative Media (CMC)cmc(at)oeaw.ac.at+43 1 51581-3110For media and communication studies.

Financial & Fellowship Support Contacts

For existing fellowship holders with financial questions:

  • Mag. Joanna Kölbel: Supports fellows with payment of fellowships, travel expenses, and related matters.
  • Mag. Eva Gutknecht: Contact for Post-DocTrack, DOC, and APART-GSK programs at eva.gutknecht(at)oeaw.ac.at or +43 1 51581-1310.

How to Contact Specific Institutes

The OeAW comprises numerous research institutes. It is always best to contact them directly.

  1. Identify the Correct Institute: Determine which institute’s work aligns with your query (e.g., Archaeological Institute, Institute for Urban and Regional Research, Institute of Culture Studies).
  2. Use the Specific Contact: Each institute has its own office email and phone number. Examples from the data:
    • Institute for Urban and Regional Research (ISR): isr(at)oeaw.ac.at or +43 1 51581-3520.
    • Institute of Culture Studies (IKW): ikw.office(at)oeaw.ac.at or +43 1 51581-3310.
    • ACDH (Digital Humanities): ACDH-Helpdesk(at)oeaw.ac.at for project queries.
  3. Visit the Official Directory: The most reliable method is to visit the main OeAW website (www.oeaw.ac.at), navigate to “Research” -> “The OeAW Institutes,” and find the dedicated contact page for your institute of interest.

Step-by-Step: Getting Your Issue Resolved Quickly

Follow this flowchart to ensure your query is handled efficiently:

flowchart TD
A[Start: Identify Your Query] --> B{Is it a general<br>or press inquiry?};
B -->|Yes| C[Contact Public Relations<br>public.relations@oeaw.ac.at<br>+43 1 51581-1331];
B -->|No| D{Is it related to a<br>specific institute?};
D -->|Yes| E[Find institute's direct<br>contact via OeAW website<br>or table above];
D -->|No| F{What is the nature<br>of your query?};
F --> G[Fellowships/Grants<br>stipref@oeaw.ac.at];
F --> H[IT Technical Support<br>helpdesk@oeaw.ac.at];
F --> I[Internal Staff Matter<br>betriebsrat@oeaw.ac.at];
C & E & G & H & I --> J[Use clear subject line<br>Include relevant details<br>Allow 3-5 business days for reply];

Pro Tips for Contacting:

  • Email Format: When emailing, replace the “(at)” in the addresses provided above with the “@” symbol.
  • Clear Subject Lines: Use specific subject lines (e.g., “Query about JESH Application 2024” or “Media Inquiry: Study on Social Bots”).
  • Business Hours: Calls are typically handled during Austrian business hours (CET/CEST, Monday-Friday).
  • Patience is Key: Allow 3-5 business days for a response before sending a polite follow-up.

Official Social Media & Online Presence

For news, updates, and a different channel of communication, you can follow the OeAW on:

Note: Social media is excellent for updates but not recommended for official inquiries, personal data, or time-sensitive issues. Always use official email or phone for such matters.


⚠️ Warning: How to Avoid Scams & Unofficial Channels

  • No Generic “Customer Care” Number: The OeAW is a research academy, not a commercial service. There is no single “customer care” number. Be wary of any site offering one.
  • Verify Email Domains: Official OeAW email addresses always end in @oeaw.ac.at. Do not trust communications from similar-looking domains.
  • Fellowship & Grant Scams: The OeAW will never ask for payment to process a fellowship application. All official calls are published on stipendien.oeaw.ac.at and the main website.
  • Stick to Official Websites: Only use contact information found on the official oeaw.ac.at domain. Do not rely on third-party directories or aggregator sites, which may host outdated or incorrect data.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the main phone number for the Austrian Academy of Sciences?
A: The central switchboard is +43 1 51581-0. However, for faster service, it is always better to use the direct numbers for Public Relations (+43 1 51581-1331) or your specific department.

Q: I am applying for a fellowship. Who should I contact?
A: For general application questions, contact stipref(at)oeaw.ac.at or call +43 1 51581-1310. For financial matters related to an existing grant, Mag. Joanna Kölbel is the relevant contact.

Q: I’m a journalist looking for an expert comment. Who do I call?
A: The Public Relations & Communication team (public.relations(at)oeaw.ac.at, +43 1 51581-1331) is your dedicated point of contact. They can connect you with the appropriate researcher.

Q: Where is the Austrian Archaeological Institute located, and how do I visit?
A: The OeAI is located at Dominikanerbastei 16, 1010 Vienna. The best visitor access is via the main entrance of the Otto Wagner-Postsparkasse at Georg Coch-Platz 2. Their office is on the 4th and 5th floors. For appointments, contact them first at oeai(at)oeaw.ac.at.

Q: The website page I’m looking for gives a 404 error. What should I do?
A: Use the official OeAW search function at www.oeaw.ac.at/suche. If you still can’t find the information, contact the Public Relations team with the details of what you were looking for.

Q: How can I report an error on the website or a technical issue?
A: For technical website issues, you can email webmaster(at)oeaw.ac.at. For content-related errors, contact the Public Relations team or the specific institute responsible for that page.

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