Step #4: Annual Reports

After succesful completion of the Faculty Open Presentation (FÖP), all PhD students must supplement their Doctoral Thesis Agreement with Annual Progress Reports (Study Law of the University of Vienna §15 (14)).

DSPL 45 follows a standardized process for the submission of Annual Reports, with deadlines aligned with the FÖP registration dates. Example: FÖP in January 2025 → Dissertation Agreement in February 2025 → First Annual Report due December 2025. If no proficient report is submitted, the PhD student and their supervisors must present the project in person to the Doctoral Advisory Board at the next FÖP date (in this example, January 2026).

The PhD student and their corresponding supervisory team are requested to organize a yearly meeting (Jahresgespräch) to discuss their progress in the previous year, identify issues, create alternative strategies, and plan the following year in terms of work, courses, and conferences, among other things. The results of these discussions should be included as part of the "Progress Report" form (BSP/V02E) and submitted to the vDSPL.

The submission of Annual Reports is a mandatory requirement for the Thesis Defense (see step #7).

Forms: https://doktorat.univie.ac.at/en/phd-process/forms-and-further-information/forms/