Applications are evaluated based on:

• Scientific quality of the research
• Novelty and originality
• Feasibility
• Applicant's qualifications and competence
• Scientific and societal impact

The Foundation strongly recommends that applicants for doctoral dissertation grants have progressed clearly beyond the initial stage of their doctoral research.

Grant Categories

1. Instrufoundation Fellow Grants

The Instrufoundation Fellow grant (€150,000) is intended for researchers in the early stages of independence who have returned to Finland from abroad within the past two years (1 August 2024 - 31 December 2026).

The grant supports the establishment or strengthening of an independent research group in Finland. It may be used for the applicant’s own salary, research personnel, and research-related costs.

The grant is awarded for a maximum of three years. The usage period may be adjusted for justified reasons subject to Foundation approval. The grant may be paid in one or more instalments.

In addition, the Foundation may provide up to 15% overhead on top of the grant amount (€150,000) to the host organization.

2. Postdoctoral Grants: From Finland to Abroad

These grants are intended for researchers who have completed their doctoral degree within the past three years (1 August 2023 - 31 December 2026).

The grant supports research conducted abroad for up to two years and covers the researcher’s personal working costs as well as research-related expenses such as travel, accommodation, and research costs.

The granted amount is based on the applicant’s proposed budget, which must be realistic and proportionate to the planned research period.

A letter of acceptance from the host research group must be attached to the application.

3. Postdoctoral Grants: From Abroad to Finland

This personal grant is intended for postdoctoral researchers relocating to Finland from abroad for up to two years of research work at a Finnish research organization.

The grant may be awarded to researchers who have moved to Finland from abroad and who have not worked in Finland for more than 12 months at the time of application submission. The aim is to promote international researcher mobility and support career development in Finland.

The grant covers the researcher’s personal working costs as well as necessary expenses related to the research period, including relocation costs, living expenses, and MYEL insurance.

The research work must be carried out primarily in Finland within the host research group. A letter of acceptance from the host institution must be attached.

The grant may be paid in one or more instalments, and the usage period may be modified for justified reasons subject to Foundation approval.

4. Doctoral Dissertation Grants

A personal grant for doctoral research is awarded for a maximum of one year. The maximum amount is €28,500, including statutory social security contributions and reasonable research-related costs.

The grant is primarily intended to support doctoral dissertation work, and the proportion of research costs must be justified in relation to the total grant amount.

Applicants must demonstrate that their doctoral research has progressed beyond the initial stage. Publications or manuscript drafts are considered an advantage.

4. Silmu Grants

The Silmu grant (€60,000) is intended for researcher-innovators and science entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize research-based ideas.

The grant is awarded for a project lasting up to one year and is paid to a company registered in Finland that is no more than two years old.

The grant may be used for project-related costs, including the entrepreneur’s work, product development, and business development expenses.

Applicants must have a Business ID (Y-tunnus) and an agreement concerning the transfer or management of intellectual property rights within the company.

The project plan must be prepared in accordance with the Silmu application guidelines (see: LINK).

• Ohjeet Silmu -apurahan hakemiseen - Instructions for applying for a Silmu grant (pdf, 208 KB)
  Ohjeet suomeksi sivut 1-2.
  Instructions in English pages 3-4. 

Further Information

Markku Lämsä
markku.lamsa(at)instrufoundation.fi
Tel. +358 40 501 5800

Instrumentarium Science Foundation Board