Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation - Scholarship

Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation research grants

As a PhD student, you will receive a personal research grant of 32,000 EUR per year; as a postdoctoral researcher, the grant will be 36,000 EUR per year. The grant covers full-time research work, enabling you to work on your own project without having to undertake any other activities. PhD students can apply for up to 4 years, and postdoctoral researchers for up to 3 years. Funding is paid out in annual instalments. Shorter funding periods are also possible if you are returning to Finland from abroad or require bridging funding between your PhD and your postdoctoral phase. The Foundation also funds research groups (typically with around 20,000 EUR for 2 to 3 years, covering running costs, staff and, in special cases, equipment), travel grants for extended research stays abroad, as well as funding to improve the teaching of mathematics and natural sciences in Finnish schools. Founded in 1963, the Magnus Ehrnrooth Foundation is one of the largest funders of research in these fields in Finland and awards around 2 million euros annually.

Who can apply

• Career stage: You are a PhD student eligible to pursue a doctoral degree, or you are currently in the postdoctoral phase. To be eligible for research grants, you must have completed your degree or be about to complete it.
• Field of study: Your field of research lies within the disciplines of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry or medicinal chemistry. Scholarships for school teaching are awarded in the subjects of mathematics and the natural sciences.
• Where you study: The choice of university is irrelevant, although your research must have a connection with Finland. Separate cotutelle scholarships (for a joint PhD programme at a French and a Finnish university) are also available.
• Nationality: All nationalities can apply.
• Documents: You must submit a research proposal (max. 3 pages), a CV and a list of your publications from the last 5 years. Applicants for a PhD programme must also provide a letter of recommendation.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal between 1 January and 31 January each year. Applications sent by post or email will not be accepted. Applications are assessed by experts between February and March, and you will be notified of the final decision by May at the latest.

How realistic are your chances?

In 2025 the foundation received 588 applications requesting about 22 million EUR, and awarded around 2 million EUR in total. About 9.6% of applications were funded, so fewer than one in ten succeeded.