Information in plain language

Welcome to the OeAD website.

Here you can find out what the OeAD does and what it can do for you.

What is the OeAD?

The OeAD is the Republic of Austria’s Agency for Education and Internationalisation.

It is pronounced ‘Ö-A-D’.

The OeAD is a non-profit organisation.

This means that it does not work for profit but supports people who learn, teach or conduct research.

The OeAD helps to ensure that everyone gets a good and fair education. The OeAD works in Austria, Europe and many other countries.

The OeAD has many partners and contacts in the European Union, the Western Balkans, South-Eastern Europe, Asia, China and Africa.

It provides advice and support on issues relating to education, science, research, development and culture.

You can find more information about the OeAD here:

• OeAD image folder (in German, English version coming soon)
• OeAD in figures
• OeAD annual report

Who finances the OeAD?

The OeAD is financed by the Austrian government.

The Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Education and other Austrian federal ministries as well as the European Commission provide financial support to the OeAD.

Objectives of the OeAD:

The OeAD aims to:

• show that Austria is a good country for education, science and research
• prepare people for life in a digital world
• strengthen schools, universities and educational institutions
• ensure that education is fair and of high quality

• and promote cooperation with other countries.

   

What does the OeAD do?

We work with

• kindergartens, schools, companies that offer apprenticeships, higher education institutions and research institutions,
• youth organisations, cultural initiatives and sports organisations.

Our programmes include, for example:

• Erasmus+ – Learning and studying abroad
• European Solidarity Corps (ESC) – Volunteering in Europe
• Kultur:Bildung – Cooperation with artists
• Science ambassadors – cooperation with scientists who visit schools
• ERINNERN:AT - democracy education and remembrance culture
• ENIC NARIC Austria - recognition of foreign university qualifications

• Digital skills – support for everyone in using digital devices

   

Education gives people knowledge and skills.

Science helps us to better understand the world.

Research brings new ideas and progress.

Our impact in figures

Every year the OeAD reaches, for example:

• more than 150,000 pupils in creative school projects
• more than 74,000 pupils who learn about democracy and racism
• around 38,000 stays abroad with Erasmus+ and ESC
• more than 500 scientists visiting schools
• more than 1,400 students and researchers from more than 60 countries
• around 5,000 evaluations of foreign university certificates per year
• around 7,500 consultations on studying, cooperation and the law relating to aliens per year

School education:

The OeAD helps to shape education for the future.

It supports projects that bring together schools, culture, art and science.

It supports children and young people in conducting research and trying out new things. This encourages and empowers children and young people.

Many OeAD programmes support teachers in strengthening democracy and fighting against antisemitism and radicalisation.

With Erasmus+ the OeAD coordinates stays for pupils and teachers in Europe.

Higher education:

The OeAD offers many support programmes for students, lecturers and researchers, both in Austria and worldwide.

Every year many people go abroad or come to Austria with the support of Erasmus+ or other funding programmes. These stays strengthen innovation, the exchange of ideas, and Austria.

Vocational education and training:

With Erasmus+ the OeAD also supports vocational education and training.

Pupils and apprentices can go abroad to work or study, gaining valuable new experiences for their lives and careers.

Adult education:

The OeAD supports cooperation between adult education institutions.

It supports the recognition of training courses and monitors quality.

This creates new learning opportunities and chances for many people.