Hiitola-säätiö - Scholarship

Hiitola Foundation scholarship

You will receive a one-off payment of 250 EUR upon completing a Master’s degree, or 500 EUR upon completing a PhD (a research degree culminating in a thesis). The amount doubles to 500 EUR or 1,000 EUR, respectively, if your thesis deals with topics relating to Hiitola or Karelia. The money will be paid out as soon as you have graduated and sent your degree certificate to the foundation. The Hiitola Foundation (Hiitola-säätiö), based in Pori, Finland, promotes the culture of the former municipality of Hiitola, a Karelian region ceded to Russia, and supports students with a connection to this region.

Who can apply

• Family roots: One of your parents or an ancestor was officially registered as a resident of Hiitola in the year 1939. You provide evidence of this by means of an official certificate and a brief written account of your family’s roots in Hiitola.
• Study level: You are currently studying for a Master’s degree or a PhD.
• Timing: You are in the final stages of your degree and will be graduating in the year you apply.
• Field of study: Any subject is accepted. A thesis on a Hiitola or Karelian theme earns double the amount.
• Nationality: Applicants from Finland and abroad are welcome to apply.
• Short essay: Please write a piece of between 300 and 500 words about your personal connection to Hiitola or Karelian culture. The Foundation reserves the right to publish this on its website.

How to apply

Please submit an unsolicited application by post or email between 1 September and 31 October, including your personal details, information about your studies and your essay. For applications sent by post, the date of the postmark on the final day will be deemed the date of submission. The Foundation’s Board decides on the award of the scholarships and notifies the scholarship recipients in writing.