Fulbright-Technology Industries of Finland Grants (Postdoc)

The application period is open. Apply by October 1, 2024!

Purpose of the Grant Program

The purpose of the grant is to enable awardees to carry out research projects at U.S. universities or research institutions and at the same time act as ambassadors for the Fulbright Finland Foundation programs, Finland, and their home institutions, sharing their culture and contributing to the relations between Finland and the U.S. 

The Fulbright–Technology Industries of Finland Grant Program aims to strengthen Finnish excellence and to promote the renewal of industry and commerce with a long-term goal in mind. In particular, this program aims to develop the multisectoral know-how of Finnish researchers and their abilities to apply top-level, need-based technology in different areas. For the applicant to be selected, their research topic should have a significant meaning for the renewal of technological fields and future competitiveness.

The grant can be awarded for a postdoctoral research visit in a U.S. university or research center, lasting between 8 and 12 months. The grantee’s project has to have a significant meaning for the development of Finnish know-how. For example, the goal can be to bring internationally renowned and newest know-how of a specific field to Finland, or to build long-term, cooperative relations to a research group in the U.S. The applicant should also have a strong interest in using their competence for the benefit of both their technological field and for society in the future. Existing networks and research collaboration with economic life is considered as an additional advantage in the application process.

The program awards grants for research which supports the development of different fields of technology (electronics and electrical technology, machinery and metal technology, metallurgical industry, information technology, planning and consulting). Suitable fields include, for example technology, science and economics. Some projects in the fields of humanities and social sciences are also possible.

The program is also suitable for master or doctoral-level studies (please note a different application deadline and see more information on the program page).

The grant program is funded by the Technology Industries of Finland Centennial Foundation and the Fulbright Finland Foundation.

Cost of living in the U.S. 

The cost of living in the U.S. has been increasing recently and can be significantly higher than in Finland depending on city. The total costs (including potential host institution fees, insurance, and living costs) vary by institution and city. Living costs (accommodation, meals, and everyday expenses) typically range anywhere between USD 3 200 to 4 850 per month depending on the city. It is important to estimate the total costs of the grant term as accurately as possible and budget accordingly. 

For example, renting a studio apartment in high-rent regions such as San Francisco Bay Area, Stanford University campus, and New York City may cost between USD 2 500 and USD 3 000.

Benefits

• Grant: A maximum award is 36 000 USD. If you wish to stay longer than 8 months, (up to 12 months allowed by the Fulbright visa), you must provide proof of additional funding (e.g. salary from the home institution or other grants).
• Personal advising and guidance services: Supporting you before and during the grant term. 
• Free visa: J-1 visa for you, and J-2 visa for family members who travel with you
• Orientation training: Extensive orientation training to U.S. culture, the higher education system, and details for the upcoming Fulbright period, including online materials, virtual meetings, and an orientation day in Helsinki.
• Networking opportunities: Enabling you to build connections professionally and internationally in Finland and the U.S. As a Fulbright grantee, you are provided an opportunity to participate in the Fulbright enrichment activities (Fulbright Enrichment Seminars, events, and workshops) allowing you to connect with fellow grantees from all around the world as well as local community members. In addition, you will be joining a global network of 400 000+ alumni as well as the Fulbright Finland alumni community.

You can find the full list of additional benefits and program services here.

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. Email the Foundation (emmi.jelekainen@fulbright.fi) by the grant application deadline your self-assessment with a description of the disability and the specific accommodations requested.

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

Application Requirements

Academic requirements

• Doctoral degree: The applicant should have completed their doctorate within a maximum of 4 years by the time of the application deadline.

Ambassadorial Role

• Cultural ambassador of Finland: You are motivated to learn about other cultures and to share your own. The grantees contribute to the enhancement of Finland-U.S. relations by acting as citizen ambassadors of their home country and institution, and by promoting cultural understanding.
• Representing a Fulbright Finland Foundation grant program: You may seek and receive additional funding for your time in the U.S. from other organizations or foundations, but your primary affiliation is always with the Fulbright Finland Foundation as your stay in the United States will be on the Fulbright program and on a Fulbright sponsored visa. 
• Motivated to learn and share: You are motivated to develop your field of specialization and share your knowledge and learning during and after the grant term. After the grant term, you are interested in engaging as an alum of the Foundation.

Other eligibility and visa requirements

• J-1 Visa: You will travel to the U.S. with an exchange visitor visa (the J-1 visa) organized by the Fulbright program. 
• Finnish citizenship and residence: You must be a Finnish citizen (if you are not a Finnish citizen but work as a researcher in Finland, please consider our travel grant programs). You cannot have Finnish-American dual citizenship or a permanent residence permit in the U.S. The grant cannot be given to an applicant who already resides in the U.S. The applicant has to start their research visit in the U.S. with this grant. The J-1 visa sponsorship of the Fulbright program is available for a maximum period of 12 months. Candidates planning longer research projects in the U.S. should contact the Fulbright Finland Foundation before submitting their applications.
• Previous stay in the U.S. (for both applicant and family members): Due to the 12-month bar and 24-month bar regulations, if you and your family members have visited the U.S. with a J-1 or J-2 visa within the past 24 months, please contact the Fulbright Finland Foundation before applying.
• Two-year home country residency requirement: Grantee cannot apply for a work permit or an immigration visa to the U.S. immediately after the end of their grant term. One has to reside in their home country/country of residence for two years after the grant period. However, normal tourist visits and for example studying in the U.S. is possible. Read more about this requirement here.
• Additional restrictions/requirements: The research results of the grant period have to be public and freely accessible and usable by the scientific community and society. This means that an immediate commercial use or registering a patent during the grant period or directly after it is not possible. However, the grantee can utilize their research results and competence for commercial purposes later.

How to Apply?

The detailed application instructions and more information on the application process can be found in the links below. Please read them carefully.

• Information on the application procedure and grant interviews
• Instructions on how to fill in the online application form

These instructions, targeted at Finnish applicants, provide you with further information on the questions of the application form and guide you through the application step by step. Please follow the instructions while you are filling in the form. If there is any contradictory information in the form and the instructions, always follow the instructions for Finnish applicants specifically.

Application and attachments

The application is submitted through the IIE online application form.

Remember to follow the application instructions when filling out the application.

The application must include the following documents:

• Invitation letter from the host institution
• Project statement
• Curriculum vitae
• Copy of a Finnish passport
• Bibliography
• Recommendations (2). Read instructions for submitting a letter of recommendation.
• Preliminary project budget
• Signed checklist

Use the checklist to make sure you have attached all the required documents in the application. 

Please note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure all required items are submitted by the application deadline.

Evaluation criteria

The applications are evaluated according to the evaluation criteria set by the Fulbright Finland Foundation Board, and the interviews focus on the following attributes. The Foundation does not provide feedback on individual applications, their review process, or on any single grant decision.

As part of the application review process, IIE, our U.S. partner organization, will screen the applications to identify any instance of plagiarism.

If you face any technical difficulties when filling in the application form, you should immediately contact the Fulbright Finland Foundation.

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-Technology Industries of Finland Grants program is part of the global Fulbright program operating in over 160 countries worldwide.