Deadline: 30-Sep-2026
The France–Finland Joint Call for Projects supports bilateral cooperation in science, innovation, and higher education through researcher mobility and collaborative workshops. The initiative is jointly launched by the French Institute in Finland, the French Ministry of Research, and the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters.
It funds short-term research visits (EUR 1,200–2,400) and collaborative workshops (up to EUR 6,000) to strengthen academic partnerships, joint research, innovation exchange, and long-term institutional collaboration between France and Finland.
Programme Overview
This joint initiative aims to deepen scientific and academic cooperation between France and Finland.
It promotes collaboration across:
- Scientific research
- Innovation ecosystems
- Higher education systems
- Technology transfer networks
- Public-private knowledge partnerships
The programme encourages both early-stage and established collaborations that can evolve into long-term institutional partnerships.
Programme Objectives
The initiative is designed to:
- Strengthen France–Finland scientific cooperation.
- Support researcher mobility and academic exchange.
- Encourage joint research projects and publications.
- Promote innovation and technology transfer.
- Facilitate access to shared research infrastructure.
- Support development of joint and dual degree programmes.
- Enable participation in EU-funded research collaborations.
- Foster long-term institutional partnerships.
- Strengthen links between academia, industry, and policy actors.
Programme Structure
The programme is divided into two main components:
1. Researcher Mobility Visits
Short-term visits designed to initiate or strengthen collaboration between researchers.
2. Higher Education, Research & Innovation Workshops
Collaborative workshops bringing together multidisciplinary stakeholders to develop structured cooperation frameworks.
Researcher Mobility Component
Purpose
The mobility programme supports early-stage and established researchers in:
- Building bilateral research relationships
- Initiating joint research projects
- Exploring future funding opportunities
- Developing shared methodologies
- Strengthening academic networks
Duration
- From a few days up to a few weeks
Eligible Participants
- Early-career researchers
- Established researchers
- Doctoral candidates (strongly encouraged)
Eligible Activities
- Research visits to partner institutions
- Joint research planning sessions
- Academic networking meetings
- Exploration of shared research infrastructure
- Development of collaborative proposals
- Planning joint publications
Funding Support
- EUR 1,200 – EUR 2,400 per mobility visit
- Covers:
- Travel costs
- Accommodation
- Living expenses
Workshop Component
Purpose
The workshop component is designed to create structured collaboration pathways between French and Finnish stakeholders.
It aims to generate:
- Research partnerships
- Innovation projects
- Joint funding proposals
- Institutional collaboration frameworks
Participation Structure
- Approximately 15 participants per workshop
- Multidisciplinary representation
Eligible Participants
Workshops may include:
- Researchers and academics
- PhD students
- Universities and research institutions
- Companies and private sector actors
- Technology transfer offices
- Public authorities
- Funding bodies and innovation agencies
Eligible Activities
- Collaborative strategy development
- Research–innovation alignment discussions
- Project design and proposal development
- Networking sessions
- Industry–academia engagement activities
Funding Support
- Up to EUR 6,000 per workshop
- Intended for:
- Event organisation costs
- Requires:
- At least 50% co-funding from partners
Key Areas of Cooperation
The programme supports a wide range of collaborative themes, including:
Scientific Collaboration
- Joint research projects
- Shared methodologies
- Cross-border academic publications
- Interdisciplinary research initiatives
Higher Education Development
- Joint and dual degree programmes
- Student and doctoral mobility
- Curriculum collaboration
- Academic exchange frameworks
Innovation and Technology Transfer
- Research commercialisation
- Industry partnerships
- Innovation ecosystem development
- Collaboration with technology transfer offices
Funding and Policy Engagement
- EU research funding applications
- Policy-research integration
- Multi-stakeholder funding strategies
- Engagement with public funding bodies
Expected Outcomes
Projects supported under this programme are expected to:
- Strengthen bilateral research cooperation.
- Generate joint academic outputs such as publications.
- Establish long-term institutional partnerships.
- Improve access to funding opportunities.
- Enhance innovation and technology transfer.
- Expand academic mobility networks.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Researchers based in France or Finland
- Early-career and established academics
- Doctoral candidates (encouraged)
Project Requirements
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate strong France–Finland collaboration potential
- Show clear academic or innovation relevance
- Include institutional support from host organisations
- Align with long-term partnership development goals
Workshop Requirements
Workshops must:
- Include approximately 15 participants
- Represent multiple stakeholder groups
- Demonstrate potential for future collaboration outputs
- Be hosted in either France or Finland
- Include institutional backing from participating organisations
Funding Overview
| Component | Funding Range | Purpose | Co-funding Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Researcher Mobility | EUR 1,200 – EUR 2,400 | Travel, accommodation, living expenses | Not specified |
| Workshops | Up to EUR 6,000 | Event organisation costs | At least 50% |
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative strengthens European research cooperation by:
- Connecting academic ecosystems across France and Finland.
- Supporting early-stage collaboration before large-scale funding applications.
- Promoting innovation-driven research partnerships.
- Encouraging interdisciplinary and cross-sector cooperation.
- Enhancing competitiveness in EU research funding frameworks.
It plays a strategic role in building long-term scientific and innovation networks.
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Identify Collaboration Opportunity
Researchers identify potential partners in France or Finland.
Step 2: Develop Proposal
Applicants define:
- Research or innovation focus
- Mobility or workshop format
- Expected outcomes
- Institutional involvement
Step 3: Institutional Endorsement
Projects require backing from relevant universities or institutions.
Step 4: Application Submission
Proposals are submitted under the joint call framework.
Step 5: Evaluation and Selection
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific quality
- Collaboration potential
- Innovation relevance
- Long-term impact
Step 6: Implementation
- Mobility visits are conducted
- Workshops are organised
- Collaboration frameworks are developed
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are assessed on:
Scientific Excellence
- Research quality and originality
- Academic relevance
Collaboration Potential
- Strength of France–Finland partnership
- Long-term cooperation viability
Innovation Impact
- Contribution to innovation ecosystems
- Potential for technology transfer
Feasibility
- Practicality of implementation
- Institutional readiness
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve competitiveness:
- Clearly define joint research objectives.
- Highlight long-term collaboration potential.
- Include strong institutional partners.
- Emphasise interdisciplinary and innovation aspects.
- Show pathway to EU funding applications.
- Demonstrate clear outputs (publications, projects, networks).
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Weak justification for bilateral cooperation.
- Vague or undefined research goals.
- Lack of institutional backing.
- Missing innovation or impact component.
- Underestimating co-funding requirements for workshops.
- Overly short-term or one-off collaboration plans.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the France–Finland Joint Call?
It is a funding programme supporting scientific, academic, and innovation cooperation between France and Finland.
What funding is available?
EUR 1,200–2,400 for mobility visits and up to EUR 6,000 for workshops.
Who can apply?
Researchers, PhD candidates, and academic professionals based in France or Finland.
What is the purpose of mobility funding?
To support short-term visits that initiate or strengthen research collaboration.
What is required for workshops?
Around 15 participants and at least 50% co-funding.
Can students apply?
Yes, doctoral candidates are especially encouraged to participate.
What outcomes are expected?
Joint research, publications, institutional partnerships, and future funding applications.
Conclusion
The France–Finland Joint Science, Innovation & Higher Education Programme strengthens cross-border collaboration by supporting researcher mobility and structured workshops. Through targeted funding and institutional partnerships, it enables the development of long-term academic and innovation networks that enhance research excellence and foster future joint projects.
By connecting researchers, institutions, and innovation stakeholders, the programme builds a foundation for sustained France–Finland cooperation in science, higher education, and technology transfer.
For more information, visit French Institute in Finland.
