Finnish Foundation for the Support of Strategic Research - Scholarship

STRATU research grant

You will receive a personal scholarship to cover your living costs whilst conducting research in the field of security and defence in Finland. The amount is based on your professional experience and includes insurance contributions (MYEL). Per half-year, you will receive 14,950 EUR as a PhD student, 17,050 EUR as a postdoctoral researcher and 19,950 EUR as an experienced researcher at lecturer level. In the autumn round, funding is available for up to 6 months. You may apply in a subsequent round for an extension of the same project, up to a total of 3 years.

In addition to the cost-of-living allowance, you can apply for further benefits, provided you can justify your need for them:

• 1,200 euros for travel to a conference for which an abstract has been accepted
• up to 2,000 EUR for overheads such as office, analysis or language proofreading costs
• a mobility allowance for research stays abroad: 1,100 EUR without dependants, 2,700 EUR with dependants
• 500 EUR for a spouse
• 750 euros per year for each dependent child under the age of 18

The funding comes from the Finnish Foundation for the Promotion of Strategic Research (STRATU) in Helsinki. It funds research in the fields of strategy, security policy and intelligence relating to Finland’s national defence.

Who can apply

• Level: You are a researcher at Master’s level or above: a PhD student, a postdoctoral researcher or an experienced researcher at lecturer level.
• Topic: Your research covers the global security and military situation as it relates to Finland's national defence, for example strategy, security policy or intelligence.
• Where you work: You can work either within or outside the Finnish Defence Forces.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

Working groups and organisations may also apply, but only for the separate project grants (travel expenses, tuition fees, conference costs), not for the grant towards personal living expenses.

How to apply

The Foundation awards grants twice a year, in spring and autumn. You should apply using the form that corresponds to your level of experience and submit it together with your research proposal, your CV and your budget proposal. The deadline for autumn applications is 30 September at 24:00. You will receive a response by the end of November.

If this research grant is not the right fit for you, our guide Scholarships in Finland points you to further funding opportunities across Finland.