Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award

Purpose of the Grant Program

The Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award can be granted within any research theme of interest of the Kempower Electric Mobility Research Center (EMRC) at LUT University. The up-to-date list of the research themes can be found at www.lut.fi/en/emrc.

The Fulbright-LUT-EMRC scholar will conduct research and possible lectures at any of the three Schools of LUT University:

• LUT Business School
• LUT School of Energy Systems
• LUT School of Engineering Science

Applicants are encouraged to contact EMRC, the host department, School, or research program to work together in designing the activities. Grantees are introduced to the EMRC and have the possibility to work in close cooperation with industry, especially Kempower.

The Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award is jointly funded by EMRC, LUT University, and the Fulbright Finland Foundation. 

Benefits

The award is available for visits of 4–12 months. It includes:

• Monthly grant is 2,700 - 5,000 EUR (approx. 2900-5400 USD*), depending on the rank of scholar (post-doc level 2,700 EUR, assistant/associate professor level 4,000 EUR, full professor level 5,000 EUR), paid out in euro in monthly installments.
• One-time travel allowance of 1,800 USD.
• Residence permit allowance based on the actual permit fees (incl. grantee and accompanying family members)
• Housing for the scholar and their accompanying family arranged and paid for by the host university.
• Work facilities and administrative support.
• Orientation and support services provided by the Fulbright Finland Foundation in Helsinki. For example, the Foundation will arrange a four-day arrival orientation in Helsinki for all U.S. Fulbright grantees at the end of August each year (orientation is also arranged in January for grantees arriving for the spring semester).
• Fulbright Finland mid-year activities and networking opportunities (such as the American Voices Seminar at the University of Turku) each year.
• The grantee will also be eligible, free of charge, to participate in a Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school in Finland consisting of courses on Finnish language, culture, and society, pending availability of suitable programs.

* amounts in USD are subject to change due to currency fluctuations.

Support for Grantees with Disabilities

Extra funding support is available for grantees with disabilities. If you have a disability that would cause additional costs for the grant term, contact the Foundation to discuss reasonable accommodations. Send your self-assessment with a description of the disability and the specific accommodations requested to the Foundation ([email protected]) by the grant application deadline.

Please note that disclosing the need for disability accommodation does not affect the review and selection process.

Eligibility

A candidate for the Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award must hold a Ph.D. degree (or other terminal degree). The candidate must be a U.S. citizen. U.S. Scholar Program eligibility guidelines and review criteria are published on the Fulbright Scholar Program website.

In Finland, the applications are evaluated according to the evaluation criteria set by the Fulbright Finland Foundation Board.

Applicants residing in Finland are not eligible for this grant.

LUT University

Clean energy, water, and air are life-giving resources for which LUT University seeks new solutions with their expertise in technology, business, and social sciences. They assist society and businesses in their sustainable renewal. LUT University's international community consists of over 9,000 members, with campuses in Lappeenranta and Lahti, Finland. They are recognized as one of the top universities in the world for climate action.

The Kempower Electric Mobility Research Center (EMRC) aims to strengthen cross-disciplinary research on electric transportation and to develop education to meet the needs of future industry. The center advances science and education, cutting across the boundaries of virtually all of LUT University's fields of specialization, from technology and business to social and communication sciences. The EMRC is the heart of e-mobility-related research at LUT University.

The city of Lappeenranta

Lappeenranta combines urban culture with beautiful, soothing nature. LUT's modern and versatile campus is located right on the shores of Lake Saimaa, which is a big part of the city's identity. Lappeenranta's southern location and proximity to the Helsinki metropolitan area surprise many, as the train journey to Helsinki takes less than two hours. In 2021, the European Commission awarded the city the Green Leaf Prize. Read more about LUT in Lappeenranta.

The city of Lahti

With its 120,000 inhabitants, Lahti is one of Finland's largest cities, offering a wide range of activities and events. Urban culture, a diverse range of services, and its central location close to the Helsinki metropolitan area make Lahti a great city for study and work. Having been chosen as the 2021 European Green Capital, the nature- and sports-friendly city aims to become carbon-neutral by 2025 at the latest. Read more about LUT in Lahti.

How to Apply?

The 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Scholar competition is currently open.
Apply by September 16, 2024!

The U.S. program partner in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is the Institute of International Education IIE. Applications are submitted through IIE and forwarded to discipline-based peer review committees in the U.S. Applications that pass this initial peer review in the U.S. are forwarded to the Fulbright Finland Foundation in Helsinki to be reviewed by the Foundation’s review committees. The Fulbright Finland Foundation makes the funding decisions and final selections of grantees.

Additional information and detailed application instructions are available from the Fulbright Finland Foundation and the Fulbright Scholar Program websites.

Fulbright Finland Foundation encourages potential applicants to contact the office directly with any questions.

Resources for Hosts:

• Instructions for writing invitation letters and a checklist for a U.S. scholar's host

Further Information

NOTE: Late June, July and early August are traditionally summer vacation months in Finland and responses to inquiries may be delayed. Applicants are advised to contact the Finnish host institution well ahead of time to solicit an invitation letter for their application.

LUT University encourages applicants to contact the university staff beforehand. Dr. Ville Naumanen is happy to help potential candidates to connect with the faculty members for discussion.

 What is the Fulbright Finland Foundation?

The Fulbright Finland Foundation is a private, independent, not-for-profit organization based in Helsinki, Finland. The Foundation’s aim is

• to promote a wider exchange of knowledge and professional talents through educational contacts between Finland and the United States, and
• to support the internationalization of education and research in Finland, and help U.S. and Finnish institutions create linkages.

What Makes the Fulbright Finland Foundation Programs Unique?

• In addition to the grant, the Fulbright Finland Foundation offers the grantees several additional benefits and free support services, as well as an access to a global, multi-professional network.
• We are looking for applicants who want to impact the future and to make a difference – applicants who want to facilitate positive change, develop and advance their own profession or discipline, and find solutions to national and international challenges in their field.
• The grantees also act as ambassadors for the Fulbright Finland Foundation, their home country, and their home organization and, in this way, do their part in sharing their home country and culture and contributing to the relations between Finland and the U.S.

Fulbright-LUT-EMRC Scholar Award program is part of the global Fulbright program operating in over 160 countries worldwide.