Ulla Tuominen Foundation - Scholarship

Ulla Tuominen Foundation research grants

You will receive a research grant of up to 100,000 EUR for a project in the fields of electrical engineering, information technology, mechanical engineering, energy technology, automation or robotics. The grant is provided by the Ulla Tuominen Foundation, a private Finnish foundation. Each year, it awards a total of 200,000 to 300,000 euros, usually distributed across 5 to 10 projects. You can use the money as your own contribution to a larger project, meaning that a smaller grant here can pave the way for a much larger grant from a main funding body. It is also suitable for preliminary studies that will help you secure further funding. Multi-year projects are possible: you specify the planned duration in your application, and the foundation decides on funding each year.

Who can apply

• Who you are: You can apply either as a university or college, or as a private individual.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply, including those from abroad.
• Field: Your project must relate to electrical engineering, information technology, mechanical engineering, energy technology, automation technology or robotics, or be a combination of these fields. Projects focusing on the development of artificial intelligence are not eligible for funding.
• What is funded: Research projects, in particular research groups and the establishment of new groups, preliminary studies, small-scale projects leading to larger grants, and your contribution to a larger project.
• What is not funded: Your own doctoral or other thesis, product development, IT system development, research stays abroad (funded separately), and incentive grants for doctoral students.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the online form on the Foundation’s website. The application period runs from 1 September to 31 October. Your application must include the project name and timetable, the lead researcher’s CV, an abstract, a project description of no more than four pages, and a budget breakdown stating the amount requested.

How realistic are your chances?

Each year, the foundation funds between approximately 5 and 10 projects, meaning that only a handful of applications receive funding in each round.

Our guide Scholarships in Finland lists additional grants and funding options you can pursue alongside or after this foundation grant.