Application Deadline: February 15th 2017
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 scholarship cannot be applied for Master’s level studies or post-Doctoral studies/research.
Who can apply?
The scholarships are based mainly on cultural agreements or similar arrangements between Finland and the following countries:
- Australia
- China
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Israel
- Japan
- Mexico
- Mongolia
- Namibia
- Peru
- Republic of Korea
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- USA (please see the section Fulbright-CIMO grants on the Fulbright Online website)
Only the nationals of the above-mentioned countries can be considered eligible applicants in this scholarship programme. (If you are not a national of any of the above countries, you cannot apply for this particular scholarship – however, please see the other scholarship options in the section ‘Tuition and scholarships‘)
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible, the applicant must:
- have established contact with the Finnish receiving institution before applying (see section ‘Doctoral Admissions‘)
- have a letter of invitation from the academic supervisor in Finland; the invitation should also explain the commitment of the host institution to the project
- have earned a Master’s-level degree before applying
- intend to pursue post-Master’s level studies as a visiting student, participate in a research project or teach at a university or public research institute in Finland; priority will be given to doctoral studies
- not have spent already more than one year at a Finnish higher education institution immediately before the intended scholarship period in Finland
- be able to give proof of sufficient skills in speaking and writing the language needed in study/research*
- be a national of one of the eligible countries listed above
*) this means that the application must include some proof of the applicant’s language skills – CIMO does not require you to take an IELTS or TOEFL test, but if you have such official proof of your English skills that can of course be enclosed in the application. Usually however it is enough if, for example, the letter of invitation from the hosting Finnish university states that your language skills have been deemed sufficient by the Finnish university.
Scholarships Worth:
The scholarship includes:
- a monthly allowance of EUR 1500. The allowance is sufficient for one person only.
Expenses due to travel, international or in Finland, are not covered by CIMO. Scholarship recipients are recommended to make arrangements for sufficient insurance coverage for their stay in Finland.
How and when to apply
Applications for the Finnish Government Scholarship Pool funding should be made to the appropriate authority in the applicant’s country. The scholarship authorities in each country are invited to present applications for up to 10 candidates for the Finnish Government Scholarship Pool. For information on the appropriate authority in your country, please see the listing of countries and authorities to contact.
The announcements for the opening of the annual application round are usually sent out from CIMO at the end of September annually. The applicants may then contact the scholarship authorities in their home country for information on the national deadline for submitting the application documents.
The annual deadline set by CIMO for the nomination of scholarship candidates by the national authorities is in mid-February (in 2017: 15th February)
Finnish Government Scholarship Pool application form 2017-2018
If needed, the application form can also be obtained from the national scholarship authorities or directly from CIMO.
Documents required for an application:
- a completed and signed application form
- curriculum vitae
- copies of latest diplomas*
- two letters of recommendation
- study/research plan (2-5 pages, including a statement of motivation, goals, work plan, work method, expected results)
- invitation/expression of interest and motivation for cooperation from the hosting academic supervisor in Finland
- language certificate (Finnish, Swedish or English) or other indication of sufficient language skills – please see above, in the section ‘Eligibility criteria’
*) copies of original diplomas accompanied with translations into English, Finnish or Swedish – if the original certificates are not in these languages. Preferably official translations. Please do not send in any originals as CIMO will not return any application documents.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Finnish Government Scholarships 2017/2018