Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation - Scholarship

What you get

As a PhD student, you will receive about 2,400 EUR per month, which rises to around 2,550 euros in the final year, for up to 4 years. Part of this is paid as a grant and part as a salary, and you must reapply each year. If you are writing a Master’s thesis, you can receive up to 2,200 EUR as a personal grant, as well as up to 400 EUR for research costs such as materials. Postdocs (researchers who have already completed their PhD) can receive a salary of around 3,500 euros per month for up to 3 years. The foundation also funds research projects and a separate post for a senior researcher.

The funding comes from the Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation. It is used to finance Baltic Sea research at the Tvärminne Zoological Station, a branch of the University of Helsinki on the south coast of Finland. The master’s scholarship does not cover travel or accommodation costs.

Who can apply

• Level: You are currently writing your Master’s thesis, studying for a PhD, or working as a postdoctoral researcher or senior researcher.
• Field of study: Your research focuses on the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea, either in the field of biology or environmental sciences.
• Where you work: Preference is given to research carried out at the Tvärminne Zoological Station. Postdoctoral researchers are expected to spend the majority of their research time there.
• Nationality: Any nationality can apply.

How to apply

Apply for funding for the following year between 1 September and 7 October using the Foundation’s online form. Paper applications will not be accepted. For Master’s thesis grants, there is a second round from 1 to 31 March. The Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board selects promising projects that enrich the work of the station and are relevant to its active research groups.

How realistic are your chances?

For 2026, the foundation received 25 applications and funded 15, so about 3 in 5 applicants were successful.

If you are seeking further funding beyond the de Nottbeck Foundation, our guide Scholarships in Finland covers more options available in Finland.