Year in Focus 2023
1.10.2022-30.9.2023
Highlights
- Over EUR 1,9 million awarded as grants, co-sponsored grants included.
- Total of 114 grantees (43 grantees to the U.S., 71 U.S. grantees to Finland).
- A new partnership agreement with the Idman Foundation for funding full Master’s degrees in the U.S. for Finnish students.
- A new comprehensive partnership agreement with the Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT.
- A new partnership agreement with the University of Oulu to fund U.S. scholars to the University of Oulu.
- A new partnership agreement with Florida Polytechnic University to fund Finnish scholars from STEM fields to conduct research at Florida Polytechnic University
- The Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program organized for the first time in Finland.
- A series of alumni events organized in Finland in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, including a dialogue on Finnish-U.S. Bilateral Relations and Transatlantic Security, an alumni panel discussion on entrepreneurship, Transatlantic Workshop on Combating Climate Change hosted by Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, and sessions facilitating transatlantic classroom to classroom collaboration and exchange of good practices in education at a seminar of the Finnish National Agency for Education in Joensuu.
- In the U.S., the Foundation had a presence at the 75th anniversary conference of NAFSA: Association of International Educators in Washington D.C in June, where CEO Terhi Mölsä also organized and chaired a session on Tackling Global Challenges: Science Diplomacy in Fulbright Exchanges.
Grant Programs
- 25 grant programs to the U.S. for undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, teachers, and other working professionals.
- 31 grant programs to Finland for graduate students, researchers and lecturers, teachers and other working professionals, specialists, and alumni of the Fulbright Finland Foundation programs.
Alumni
- Over 6 100 alumni since 1949 (over 4 000 from Finland, and over 2 100 from the U.S.)
- In the U.S., there were 900 Fulbright Finland U.S. alumni within the Friends of Fulbright Finland Network; 130 U.S. alumni served in the Welcome Network in the U.S.;
- In Finland, 803 alumni are on the Fulbright Finland Foundation’s Alumni Message list; total of 82 members in the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association in Finland; 32 alumni participate in the the Fulbright Finland Outreach Ambassadors program in Finland; and 50 alumni participated in the Buddy Program in Finland serving as friends and mentors for U.S. grantees.
- In the U.S., the Friends of Fulbright Finland (FoFF) alumni network was hosted by Science and Education Counselor Petri Koikkalainen and Cultural Counselor and Head of Cultural Affairs Suvi Järvelä-Hagström for a conversation over coffee at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C.
- In Finland, the Foundation organized an event for the appreciation of the volunteers and the time and expertise they donate in different roles to support the Foundation’s mission.
Statistics 2023
- Over 4 800 client contacts in total, event participants included.
- Approximately 22% of all contacts, event participants included, were international educational professionals.
- Over 80 information sessions, seminars, conferences, and Fulbright Speaker Program sessions around the country.
- Website: over 185 000 pageviews and over 94 000 website visitors.
- Fulbright Finland News magazines: printed circulation 500 and digital reach over 2 300.
- Social media followers: Facebook 3 826; X 1 934; Instagram 1 388; LinkedIn 1 140; YouTube 16 245 views.
“The dynamic Fulbright Finland Foundation is the primary interface for our two governments’ bilateral work in education, science, and culture.”
- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Lee Satterfield column U.S.-Finnish Fulbright Partnership Grows Stronger.
“What truly makes the Fulbright experience special is the unique blend of academic enrichment, cross-cultural interaction, and personal growth. We not only gain knowledge and skills in our respective fields, but also develop a deep sense of global citizenship. Through interactions with fellow grantees and other students from around the world, we learn to navigate cultural differences, build empathy, and collaborate across nationalities and borders. This broadened worldview empowers us to address complex global issues more effectively and create a positive impact in our respective communities and the world as a whole.”
- Patrik Gayer, 2022-23 ASLA-Fulbright Graduate Grant, Harvard University
“Because of this outstanding program, I have become a better researcher, a more informed world citizen, and a happier and more fulfilled person during my time in Finland. The support from the Fulbright Finland Foundation's partners and sponsors is invaluable to continuing their mission. In no uncertain terms, it will transform lives.”
- Allen Malony, 2022-23 Fulbright-Nokia Distinguished Chair in Information and Communications Technologies, University of Helsinki
