Applications:
Applications for support are made electronically on the application system of the foundation. Separate applications should be made for travel grants, apparatus and material costs, and personal grants (graduate student grant, post-doctoral grants and grants for whole or part time research work during leave of absence without salary). The application form is available after you have logged on. The applications must be submitted before the dead-line.
General instructions:
The following appendices should be attached to the applications:
- a research plan with a realistic time schedule. The length of the research plan should not exceed 3 pages if the application is for a travel grant or minor support for research,
- a travel plan which explains the purpose of the trip, and if the trip is to a conference, the name, place, and date of the conference and the applicant's contribution to the conference,
- a budget with motivations,
- a Curriculum vitae,
- and a list of the most important publications and the publications of the five most recent years.
The appendices should be included in this order in a single document (Word2003 or pdf). Other formats are not accepted. The file can be uploaded to the application system.
If you apply for support for different purposes (i.e. graduate studies, travel), then one appendix is sufficient to cover all applications. The appendix should contain all the relevant information pertaining to the different applications.
Research grants:
Research grants are awarded for running research costs, in special cases also for apparatus, and for research assistants. The main principle is, that graduate students apply themselves for a grant from the foundation. Research assistants are understood to be undergraduate students who during the summer months or beside their studies participate in a research project and gain research experience relevant for their studies. In 2014 a few larger research grants will be awarded.
Personal stipends and postdoctoral scholarships:
Personal stipends are awarded to persons who whish to take a leave of absence from their work to be able to do full time research or who for some other reason do not have a salary. Persons who recently have obtained their PhD may apply for a postdoctoral scholarship. The purpose of a postdoctoral scholarship is to enable the grantee to further develop as a researcher. The postdoctoral scholarship was 23 000 € per annum in 2013. The amount is decided by the granting committee and not be specified in the application.
Graduate student scholarships:
The graduate student stipend can be granted for a period of one year or a half year, preferably for the period 1.7. - 30.6. or 1.7. - 31.12. The stipend is given to cover the costs of living during the study period. The grantee is not allowed to have a salaried job during the time he/she lives on the stipend. However, performing duties as a teaching assistant for a few hours per week is allowed, even for a salary from the department, as it can be considered as a part of the academic education, if it does not interfere with the main task, which is working towards the PhD.
A statement from the supervisor and (if the application is for renewal of the stipend) a progress report are essential for the evaluation of the application. To an application for a graduate student stipend must in addition to the statement of the supervisor attach an affirmation by the department head that the necessary infrastructure for the work is available. The application must show that the doctoral work is done under competent supervision and guidance.
The graduate student scholarship was 20 000 € per annum in 2013. The amount is decided by the granting committee and not be specified in the application. Applicants for a graduate student stipend may also apply for support for research related costs and travel.
Social security of researchers living on scholarships:
The Farmers' Social Insurance Institution Mela is responsible for the statutory pension (MYEL) and occupational accident insurance (MATA) of the persons who have a grant or a scholarship and who have to be insured in Finland as of the beginning of 2009. This insurance is mandatory.
The insurance secure, for the work on grant or scholarship, offered by Mela is available also for the foreign recipients of grants or scholarships if they are covered by the Finnish social security. This insurance cover is mandatory and all recipients of this insurance must be active in the application process.
For further information on the insurance for grant and scholarship recipients, please refer to www.mela.fi, tel. + 358 20 630 0500. e-mail vakuutus@mela.fi.
Project grants:
Leaders of research groups may also apply for larger project support that can be divided over a period of two to three years. Letters of recommendation from at least two internationally recognised outstanding researchers familiar with the field but not directly connected with the project must be submitted with such an application. The project grants are awarded for one year at a time. Continuation of the support is granted upon application, the decision being based on the progress report included with the application.
Travel grants:
Travel grants are awarded for participation in conferences and for visits to or longer stays at universities and research institutions. Support is granted for tickets, hotel or accommodation costs, conference fees and reasonable food and other expenses during the stay. Per Diem is not granted.
References and letters of recommendations:
References and letters of recommendation by recognized scientists familiar with the field should be sent directly to the board of The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. Recommendations are required if a significant grant is applied for. The recommendations should be sent electronically as a pdf- or word-file via this page. Instructions there are provided in Finnish, Swedish and English. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ask the referee to send a recommendation.
Change of the purpose of the grant:
If the research plan or travel plan cannot be carried through, if financing has been obtained from another source or if the cost of travel was less than the awarded travel grant the unused portion of the grant should be repaid to the foundation to the bank account mentioned in the award letter, or an application to change the use of the grant submitted to the board of The Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters. The application to change the use of the grant, wholly or partly, should be sent to the secretary of the foundation, Dr. Niklas Meinander, by e-mail to magnus.ehrnrooth@protsv.fi immediately after the trip or when it has become evident that the original plan cannot be carried out.
