University of Oulu Scholarship Foundation - Scholarship

Oulu University Scholarship Foundation grant

You will receive a sum of one-off grant, which will be paid as a one-off lump sum to fund your research at the University of Oulu. The funding is tax-free. The majority of the funding goes to PhD students, and the foundation awards a total of between 150,000 EUR and 250,000 EUR annually. Master’s students can apply for separate scholarships for their final dissertations, which are linked to specific topics funded by companies. For the September 2026 round, two such scholarships are available: 5,000 EUR for a thesis on an ISO 9001 quality system (funded by Pentik Oy) and 8,500 EUR for a thesis on the measurement of low gold concentrations in geological samples (funded by Dragon Mining Oy). The funding comes from the University of Oulu Scholarship Foundation, which was established in 1960 to promote research at the university.

Who can apply

• University: You are studying or conducting research at the University of Oulu.
• Level: PhD students receive the majority of the funding. Master’s students can apply for subject-specific scholarships for their dissertation.
• Field of study: The call for applications is interdisciplinary; however, each scholarship is linked to a specific academic discipline. The scholarships for Master’s theses relate exclusively to the topic specified by the company.
• Nationality: All nationalities welcome.
• Employment: You must not be employed by the university whilst you are in receipt of a doctoral scholarship.

How to apply

To apply for a scholarship for a Master’s thesis, please email the Foundation your application form, a brief description of your thesis and your CV. The current application round runs from 15 to 30 September 2026. Scholarships for PhD students are advertised once a year, usually in April. Applications are submitted via the Foundation’s online funding system, into which your supervisor will enter a statement. The faculties then draw up a ranking list of applications, and the Executive Board makes the final decision.

If you are weighing your options alongside this grant, our guide Scholarships in Finland covers further funding available to students and researchers in Finland.