Scholarships for Studies and Research in Finland

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1 NATURALLY FINLAND Scholarships for Studies and Research in Finland

2 The Centre for International Mobility CIMO, an organisation operating under the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, offers services and expertise to encourage crosscultural communication. CIMO administers scholarship and exchange programmes and is responsible for implementing EU education, training, culture and youth programmes at national level. To support the internationalisation of educational and training institutions in Finland, CIMO offers training, information, advisory services and publications. CIMO also promotes and organises international trainee exchanges. In addition, CIMO advances the teaching of Finnish language and culture in universities outside Finland, as well as arranges summer courses in Finnish language and culture for international students. CIMO is also committed to raising the international profile of Finnish education and training and promotes the opportunities that exist in Finland to participate in student, trainee and youth exchanges. Contents CIMO Scholarships 3 I Scholarships for master s studies 4 II Scholarships for postgraduate studies and research III Other programmes and awards Useful links /2013 Kopijyvä, Photos: Satu Haavisto. Layout: Satu Salmivalli. ISBN (print), ISBN (pdf)

3 CIMO Scholarships The Centre for International Mobility CIMO awards and administers scholarships for students and researchers of universities. CIMO does not have any scholarship programmes or other financial assistance available for degree studies at bachelor s or master s level in Finland; scholarships are mainly intended for postgraduate students who have completed a master s degree. Scholarships are available for applicants from all countries. Through its scholarship programmes, CIMO supports the internationalisation of teaching and research by forging links and encouraging academic mobility between institutions of higher education in Finland and abroad. Each CIMO scholarship programme has its own eligibility criteria, application procedures and deadlines. A scholarship normally consists of a monthly allowance intended to cover living expenses in Finland for a single person. The amount of a scholarship varies according to the scholarship programme and academic qualification of the applicant. No additional expenses such as travel, housing, or insurance are covered by a scholarship. 3

4 I Scholarships for master s studies Finnish studies and research: scholarships for advanced studies of the Finnish language at Finnish universities CIMO awards scholarships to students of Finnish language and culture at universities outside Finland for advanced master s studies in Finnish universities or for collecting material in Finland for their master s thesis in their home university. The scholarship is intended for a maximum of one term. 4 How to apply: Students apply directly to CIMO. Application deadlines are on 30 th April for the autumn term, and on 31 st October for the spring term. The applicant must establish contact with the host university before applying. The application should preferably be made in Finnish and must include a CV, a summary of studies completed, a study/research plan, a reference from the Finnish teacher, with assessment of the Finnish language skills of the applicant, and an acceptance letter from the host university. More information and application forms available from: CIMO Scholarships Scholarships provided by higher education institutions Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences (also known as polytechnics) may collect tuition fees from non-eu/ EEA students enrolled in some selected master s degree programmes. There are special scholarships available for students on these programmes provided by the institution in question. Some Finnish higher education institutions may offer a small number of scholarships or grants for international students and researchers, although this is relatively rare. You should check the possibility of any such financial aid directly with the institution you are interested in. More information and links available from: Institutions Tuition fees

5 II Scholarships for postgraduate studies and research CIMO awards scholarships for postgraduate students and young researchers who have completed a master s degree. CIMO has a number of scholarship programmes for doctoral studies and research at Finnish universities. They are targeted at all academic fields, with the exception of the scholarships for advanced degree students of the Finnish language, which are specific to that particular field. There are two types of scholarships: individual scholarships which young researchers apply for themselves, and host fellowships which are applied for by the relevant department of the Finnish higher education institution wishing to host researchers and postgraduates. 5 CIMO Fellowships The CIMO Fellowships programme is open to young researchers from all countries and from all academic fields. The scholarship period may vary from 3 to 12 months. How to apply: The visiting researcher does not apply for the fellowship directly; rather, it is his or her responsibility to establish contact with the Finnish host university. The relevant department of the host university in turn applies to CIMO for the grant. Applications should be submitted at least 5 months before the intended scholarship period. More information available from: CIMO Scholarships

6 6 Finnish Government Scholarship Pool The Finnish Government offers scholarships of 3 9 months for doctoral level studies and research at Finnish universities or public research institutes. The Finnish Government Scholarship Pool programme is open to young researchers from all academic fields. The scholarships cannot be applied for Master s level studies or post-doctoral studies / research. The scholarships are based mainly on cultural agreements or similar arrangements between Finland and the following countries: Australia, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Republic of Korea, Turkey, and Ukraine. An applicant must be a national of one of the abovementioned countries. He or she must also intend to pursue postgraduate studies as a visiting student, participate in a research project, or teach at a university in Finland. Contact with the Finnish host institution must be established before applying. How to apply: Applicants must submit their applications to the appropriate authorities in their country. The scholarship authorities in each country select up to 10 candidates to be reviewed by CIMO

7 before February each year. An applicant should check the application deadline set by the authorities in his or her country as it may be earlier. CIMO will inform both successful and unsuccessful applicants about the outcome by June. An application must include a completed and signed application form, a CV, copies of the applicant s latest degree certificate, two letters of recommendation, a study or research plan (2 5 pages, including statement of motivation), an invitation/expression of interest from the academic supervisor in Finland, and a language certificate (in Finnish, Swedish or English). More information including a list of the scholarship authorities in each country and application forms available from: CIMO Scholarships Finnish studies and research: scholarships for postgraduate studies and research at Finnish universities 7 CIMO awards scholarships to post-graduate students and researchers of Finnish language and culture and Finno-Ugric languages who carry out their research outside Finland. Applicants should have at least a master s degree. Scholarships are available for post-graduate studies or research in a Finnish university or for short study visits. Scholarships of 3 to 12 months The scholarships for post-graduate studies or research in Finnish universities can be awarded from 3 to 12 months. How to apply: The host university should apply for the scholarship on behalf of post-graduate students and researchers. The scholarship candidate should contact the host university about the application in good time before the deadline and send them a research plan (2 to 3 pages; including introduction, goals, work plan, work methods, expected results), a CV, including information about previous studies, publications, previous visits to Finland, and a copy of degree certificate (minimum requirement a master s degree). There are two application deadlines per year: the 1 st deadline is on 30 April and the 2 nd on 31 October.

8 Short-term scholarships, 1 4 weeks Scholarships are available for short visits of 1 to 4 weeks relating to post-graduate studies or research. The scholarship can be used, for example, to visit archives, to attend seminars, to conduct interviews or to meet with supervisors. Pure conference trips are not eligible for the scholarship; the visit must include other type of work related to the applicant s studies or research, too. 8 How to apply: The post-graduate student or researcher should apply for the scholarship independently at least two months before the planned beginning of the scholarship period. The application should describe the purpose of the visit and its significance to the applicant s studies or research and the contents of the seminar, if applicable. The following annexes are needed: description of the applicant s motivation, a research plan, a reference from the research supervisor, a CV, including information about previous qualifications (minimum requirement a master s degree), possible previous scholarships to Finland, and previous visits to Finland. More information available from: CIMO Scholarships researchers_in_finnish_language Scholarships for kindred peoples The scholarships for kindred peoples are intended for postgraduate studies or research in a Finnish university, museum or linguistics institution, which has Finno-Ugric linguistics as one its fields of specialisation. The scholarship period is up to 12 months. The scholarships for kindred peoples are intended for post-graduate students and researchers who carry out post-graduate studies or research at universities in the Finno-Ugric regions of Russia, are members of Finn-Ugric peoples and study Finno-Ugric languages.

9 How to apply: A Finnish university department, museum or linguistics institution specialised in the study of Finno-Ugric languages will apply for the scholarship for kindred peoples on behalf of the individual. There are two application deadlines per year: the first deadline is on 15 April and the second on 30 September. The post-graduate student or researcher should contact a Finnish university, museum or linguistics institution, which has Finno-Ugric linguistics as one its fields of specialisation several months before the proposed start of the scholarship period and send them a research plan (2 to 3 pages; including introduction, goals, work plan, work methods, expected results), a CV, including information about previous studies, publications, previous visits to Finland, and a copy of degree certificate. More information available from: CIMO Scholarships 9

10 III Other programmes and awards Erasmus Mundus degree programmes and mobility scholarships 10 Erasmus Mundus master s and doctoral programmes already almost 150 in number provide a true European experience for students from all over the world. These topquality programmes have been developed jointly by several universities operating in at least three different European countries possibly also in other parts of the world. They last from one to two academic years and include studies in at least two countries. Studies lead to an officially recognised double, joint or multiple degree. Generous scholarships are available both to European and non-european students and scholars. Finnish universities are currently involved in the delivery of 14 high-quality Erasmus Mundus master s and doctoral programmes with a scholarship scheme. Alternatively, students, staff and scholars from targeted countries around the world even professionals working outside the Academia may apply for a scholarship under a specific action called Erasmus Mundus Partnerships (Action 2). These individual mobility scholarships are not linked to a specific study programme. The scholarship period can vary between 1 and 34 months (up to a full degree). How to apply: Application and scholarship information is available from the website of each programme. Applicants should identify the Erasmus Mundus programme or scholarship of their interest and contact the coordinators of the programme directly. Application deadlines and availability of scholarships vary from course to course. More information about Erasmus Mundus and the list of selected Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses available from: The European Commission s server: Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

11 Fulbright Program in Finland CIMO works together with the Fulbright Center in Finland and co-funds some of the grants awarded in the Fulbright Program for U.S. Citizens every year. More information available from: Other sources of funding Useful links EURAXESS Researchers in Motion ec.europa.eu/euraxess/ 11 EURAXESS Finland Finland for Researchers Finnish Academy In English Finnish Cultural Foundation In English Grants Student Financial Aid The Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA) English Students Financial Aid for Students National Technology Agency of Finland (Tekes) In English

12 Centre for International Mobility CIMO P.O. Box 343 FI Helsinki, Finland Tel: Fax: CIMO Information Services telephone helpline is open: Tue - Thu GMT This brochure is printed on recyclable Edixion paper. The pulp used in its production is ECF pulp bleached without chlorine gas. The paper is manufactured using wood from sustainable forests.