The Forum on Contemporary Europe's Austrian & Central European Program seeks to advance relations between the United States and Austria and Central Europe. In collaboration with the University of Vienna, it will bring together students and faculty from Stanford University and the University of Vienna to broaden understanding and research.

The Austrian & Central European Program currently hosts an Austrian visiting professor at Stanford to teach a course in his/her specialty for a one-year term while also working closely with FCE to promote specific research topics pertaining to Austria and Central Europe. In addition, two fellowships will be awarded each year for one Stanford student and one University of Vienna student for a study exchange. The program will also initiate annual workshops in which faculty from one host university will travel overseas to work with their colleagues. These workshops will switch venues each year to give both universities the opportunity to host the event. Advanced graduate student fellowships to support short-term research at the University of Vienna in Austria are also available under the Austrian & Central European Program.

The Austrian & Central European Program was formally inaugurated on October 11 with the visit of the Austrian ambassador to the United States, Dr. Eva Nowotny.