Grant types

The doctoral dissertation grant is a working grant for researchers working on their doctoral dissertation. The amount of tax-free grant corresponds with the so-called artist grant. The law on the social security of grant recipients requires a pension insurance contract if certain conditions are met (see https://www.mela.fi/en/grant-and-scholarship-recipients/). The grant is awarded for a maximum period of 12 months. The recipient must be free from other employment and able to concentrate on research.

The amount of a working grant in year 2024

€2189 / month (insurance included) | €1910 / month (without insurance)


The amount of a working grant in previous years

2023: €2080 / month (insurance included) | €1800 / month (without insurance)
2022: €2039 / month (insurance included) | €1764 / month (without insurance)
2021: €1972 / month (insurance included) | €1716 / month (without insurance)
2020: €1939 / month (insurance included) | €1690 / month (without insurance)
2019: €1730 / month (insurance included) | €1500 / month (without insurance)

The post doc grant is a working grant for researchers starting their postdoctoral career. The grant is for working and it does not include expenses. The law on the social security of grant recipients requires a pension insurance contract if certain conditions are met (see https://www.mela.fi/en/grant-and-scholarship-recipients/). The grant may be applied for 4 to 9 months period. The grant recipient must be free from other employment and able to concentrate on research.

The amount of a post doc working grant in year 2024 is € 2900 / month (insurance included).

Senior researchers coordinating or planning a project for research group, may apply for a research grant. Research grant can be applied for working (a working grant, for 12 months maximum), purchased services, materials and other expenses. Please note! It is possible to apply for travel expenses related to the research project with a separate travel grant application (travel expenses may not be included in the research grant application). Doctoral researchers may not apply for a research grant. 

The working grant in the year 2024

€2189 / month (insurance included) | €1910 / month (without insurance)

The amount of tax-free grant corresponds with the so-called artist grant. The law on the social security of grant recipients requires a pension insurance contract if certain conditions are met (see mela.fi). The grant recipient must be free from other employment and able to concentrate on research.

Travel grants are awarded for congress and research trips abroad. Domestic trips are not supported.

The grant may be applied for travel expenses (according to the public transport fees), accommodation and a participation fee. The Foundation does not support any other costs (meals, travelling day allowances, poster printing, ESTA, visa application). Please note! The grant can’t be applied if travel expenses are covered by the university before the decision date (the university will not accept grants retrospectively).

When applying a travel grant for a congress trip, following attachments should be included in the application:

  1. an invitation to the congress / congress programme (a short version)
  2. a presentation abstract (mandatory)
  3. an abstract acceptance notice (may be sent by email as pdf-document to the grant secretary after the application deadline)
  4. a statement on the content of the participation fee

When applying a travel grant for a research trip, required attachments are

  1. a programme for the trip / a work plan and
  2. a breakdown of expenses

A researcher residency grant entitles the recipient for a free residency in the Granö Centre in Villa Tammekann designed by Alvar Aalto, located in Tartu (Estonia). The grant can be applied for the duration of one to two weeks. The facilities and the environment are ideal, for instance, for a working period which requires particular peace or meetings of a small research or work group. Breakfast and use of sauna are included. Travel costs to Tartu and back are covered by the recipient.