Finnish Academy of Science and Letters - Scholarship

Väisälä Fund doctoral scholarship

You will receive 29,000 EUR per year so that you can devote yourself full-time to your doctoral thesis without having to take on paid work alongside it. The scholarship is awarded for up to one year at a time. You may extend it for up to three years in total. You can also use the same form to apply for additional funding to cover your research costs. The scholarship is awarded by the Vilho, Yrjö and Kalle Väisälä Fund, which is administered by the Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters. As a scholarship holder, you are covered by statutory pension, accident and group life insurance.

Who can apply

• Level: You are entitled to enrol on a PhD programme.
• Field of study: Your field of research lies within the areas of mathematics, physics, meteorology, geophysics or astronomy. Related disciplines (e.g. chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, medicine, biophysics or computer science) may also be considered, provided that your work involves a significant mathematical or computational component.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. You do not need to be a Finnish national, but you must have a connection to Finland, for example through employment there.
• University: Any university is accepted.
• Research abroad: Not required, although applications from candidates who have undertaken research stays abroad will be given preference.
• Renewal: In your second or third year, you’ll show good progress compared with the previous year, and your supervisor will attach a progress report.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted online via the Academy’s application service. The application period runs from 14 August to 14 September 2026. Late applications will not be considered. The system and the application documents are in Finnish; however, you may submit your application and supporting documents in English or Swedish. Decisions will be made in early November, and you will be notified in writing.

If you are pursuing a doctorate in Finland, our guide Scholarships in Finland brings together further funding options worth exploring alongside this scholarship.