Orion Research Foundation - Scholarship

Orion Research Foundation grant

You will receive a research grant at one of two levels. If you have already completed your PhD, you are eligible for a postdoctoral grant of up to 50,000 EUR. If you are still working on your PhD, you may be awarded a doctoral researcher grant of 6,000 EUR. Both grants are valid for one academic year. You may use the funds as a personal research grant to cover your living expenses whilst carrying out your research or to cover other research costs. The grants are provided by the Orion Research Foundation (Orionin Tutkimussäätiö), which was established in 1957 by the Finnish pharmaceutical company Orion. You may only receive the postdoctoral fellowship once, and the doctoral fellowship a maximum of twice. The fellowships do not cover travel expenses, such as those for attending conferences.

Who can apply

• Your level: For the 50,000 EUR grant you need a doctorate finished within the last five years (defended on or after 10 September 2021 for the 2027 round). For the 6,000 EUR grant you are an early-career researcher who has not yet completed a doctorate.
• Extra time: The five-year period may be extended to seven years if you have qualified as a specialist doctor, specialist dentist or veterinary surgeon, or if you have taken parental leave, completed military or civilian service, or suffered from a long-term illness. Please explain this in your CV.
• Field of study: You work in Finnish medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or a related natural science such as chemistry or physics.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. The research is related to Finnish medicine and science.
• Research abroad: At the higher funding level, you will receive additional points for a postdoctoral stay abroad, the extension of such a stay or your return from abroad, as well as for establishing your own research group. If you are conducting research abroad, please enclose a letter of commitment from the host university or institute.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal between 10 August and 10 September 2026 (application deadline 11:59). There are separate forms for the two grant levels. You may submit your application in Finnish, Swedish or English. The Foundation will not consider any additional attachments or letters of recommendation. The Foundation’s Board will make the decision, and all applicants will receive a response by email in November.

How realistic are your chances?

The foundation receives over 700 applications each year. It is unable to support every promising applicant and does not give reasons for individual rejections.

If you are also considering other funding, our guide Scholarships in Finland covers a wide range of grants and scholarships available in Finland.