GASS - Graz Advanced School of Science

Training of the next generation of excellent scientists and highly qualified executives for science and industry is carried out within the framework of the NAWI Graz Advanced School of Science (GASS).
In 2006, both universities established doctoral schools which agreed on inter-university statutes, allowing them to cooperate more closely.

High quality standards are maintained, since the doctoral training at both universities complies with the Salzburg Principles (e.g. doctoral students are to be considered as early-stage researchers, and are involved in actual research projects; a training agreement is compulsory). Furthermore, as doctoral training and research are interlinked very closely, the doctoral training is also subject to the quality criteria of research funding agencies.

Doctoral candidates are members of the inter-university Doctoral Schools and benefit from the support of teachers and researchers from both universities. Joint programmes such as DocDays – mini-congresses, organised by doctoral students – not only introduce doctoral students to various research questions, but also enhance students’ organisational and presentational skills.

Funds provided for the NAWI Graz Doctoral Schools can be used to partially cover costs for doctoral students to participate in congresses abroad (if they give their own presentation), as well as for special lectures provided by visiting scientists.

The number of doctoral students in the NAWI Graz areas has risen to around 620 students in the past ten years.

Another important pillar of the GASS are the inter-university Doctoral programmes (DK) and Special Research Areas (SFB) conducted within NAWI Graz areas.