The Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI)awards scholarships for foreign Doctoral level students and young researches to carry out postgraduate studies and research and teaching in Finnish universities. Scholarships aim mainly Doctoral level students who will be doing their whole Doctorate or Double Doctorate at a Finnish university. Visiting Doctoral level students and researchers who are doing their Doctorate degree at some foreign university are also eligible if they provide the motivation letter of the hosting Finnish university department presents exceptionally good grounds for such an application.

However, the scholarship holder cannot receive another full scholarship nor salary with an EDUFI grant. The scholarship programme seeks to increase mobility to Finland, to support the internationalization of research and teaching and to foster links between Finnish and foreign universities. The scholarship invites foreign Doctoral level students/researchers to Finland. Also, the Finnish Scholarships aims scholars who haven’t lived in Finland for more than 1 year at the time of applying.

Grant

The grant is 1,500 euro/month. The grant is personal and covers for the subsistence costs of the scholarship holder in Finland. EDUFI will not pay additional support for accommodation, travel or visa/residence permit expenses. Trips abroad to collect research materials cannot be included in the scholarship period.

However, the host institution/applicant is responsible for all practical arrangements, such as entry arrangements to Finland, hosting, accommodation, etc. The scholarship holder should attach an invitation letter from the host institute and a copy of EDUFI’s scholarship decision with their visa/residence permit application.

Duration of the scholarship period

The scholarship period may last from 3 to 12 months. You may extend this period only in exceptional cases. EDUFI will not fund visits shorter than 3 months.

How to apply

The prerequisite for applying is that the visiting researcher must have established contacts with a Finnish host university. You are also advised to visit the Finnish universities’ own websites for detailed information on the Doctoral level study and research options the universities offer.

If a Finnish university is willing to host you, then the Finnish university department wishing to host you can apply for the EDUFI Fellowship on your behalf. That is, only the hosting Finnish university can act as an ‘applicant’ in the EDUFI Fellowship programme.

You can download the application form for the EDUFI Fellowship here. Additionally, you will require to attach the following documents for an EDUFI Fellowship application:

• A motivation letter from the applicant (the hosting university), max 1 page
• A complete CV of the scholarship candidate
• Research plan (3-5 pages)

You should submit two printed and signed copies of the application with required attachments to the following address:

Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI),

PO Box 380,

00531 Helsinki.

Please mark the envelope with “EDUFI Fellowships”.

When to apply

There are no annual application deadlines in the EDUFI Fellowship programme. We may consider applications at all times. However, applicants should submit the application at least 5 months before the intended scholarship period. Decisions will be made within approximately 3 months after receipt of application.