Deadline: 27-Apr-26
The Finnish National Agency for Education Team Finland Knowledge Programme funds collaborative projects between Finnish and Ukrainian higher education institutions. With grants of up to €80,000, it supports academic cooperation, capacity building, mobility, and curriculum development. The initiative aims to strengthen and rebuild Ukraine’s higher education sector through international partnerships.
Programme Overview
The Team Finland Knowledge Programme is an international education funding initiative designed to strengthen academic cooperation between Finland and Ukraine.
The programme focuses on:
- Supporting the rebuilding of Ukraine’s higher education sector
- Promoting institutional partnerships
- Enhancing education quality, innovation, and mobility
It encourages joint projects that deliver sustainable improvements in teaching, research, and academic systems.
Funding Details
Grant Amount
- Up to €80,000 per project
- Final awarded amount may vary based on evaluation
Eligible Cost Categories
- Organisational and Project Costs
- Teaching materials
- Online course delivery
- Workshops and events
- Travel and Mobility Costs
- Travel between Finland and Ukraine
- Staff and student exchange expenses
- Salary Costs
- Can cover up to 50% of total funding
Financial Management
- Funds are managed by the Finnish coordinating institution
- Responsible for reporting and financial accountability
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen higher education cooperation
- Support capacity building in Ukraine
- Develop innovative academic collaboration models
- Promote joint degree and non-degree education activities
- Enable student and staff mobility
- Advance digital teaching and curriculum development
- Foster links with the labour market (working life cooperation)
Key Concepts Explained
Capacity Building
Improving the skills, systems, and institutional capabilities of universities to deliver high-quality education.
Academic Mobility
Movement of students, faculty, and staff between institutions to promote learning, collaboration, and cultural exchange.
Curriculum Development
Designing and updating academic programmes to meet modern educational and workforce needs.
Who is Eligible?
Mandatory Requirements
Projects must:
- Be coordinated by a Finnish higher education institution
- Include at least one Ukrainian partner institution
- Submit complete applications through the official system
- Include commitment letters from all partners
Eligible Participants
- Universities and higher education institutions in Finland
- Partner universities or institutions in Ukraine
Ineligibility Conditions
- Incomplete applications
- Missing commitment letters
- Failure to meet submission deadlines
Why This Programme Matters
This initiative is critical for:
- Supporting Ukraine’s education system recovery and resilience
- Strengthening international academic partnerships
- Promoting knowledge exchange and innovation
- Enhancing student and staff opportunities
- Building long-term institutional collaboration
It contributes to rebuilding education infrastructure and improving access to quality learning.
How the Programme Works
- Partnership Formation
- Finnish and Ukrainian institutions form a collaboration
- Project Design
- Define objectives, activities, and expected outcomes
- Application Submission
- Submit proposal with required documentation
- Evaluation Process
- Projects assessed based on quality, impact, and feasibility
- Funding and Implementation
- Selected projects receive funding and begin activities
- Monitoring and Reporting
- Coordinating institution ensures compliance and reporting
How to Apply (Step-by-Step)
- Identify a Ukrainian Partner
- Establish a formal collaboration
- Develop a Joint Project Plan
- Include mobility, curriculum, or capacity-building activities
- Prepare Required Documents
- Commitment letters from all institutions
- Budget and implementation plan
- Create a Budget
- Allocate costs across eligible categories
- Ensure salary costs do not exceed 50%
- Submit Online Application
- Use the official application portal before the deadline
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing commitment letters from partners
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Poorly defined project objectives or outcomes
- Exceeding salary cost limits
- Lack of clear collaboration structure
Tips for a Strong Application
- Focus on practical and scalable collaboration models
- Demonstrate clear benefits for both Finland and Ukraine
- Ensure strong institutional commitment
- Include measurable outcomes and impact indicators
- Align activities with capacity building and innovation goals
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for this programme?
Finnish higher education institutions acting as coordinators, in partnership with Ukrainian institutions.
2. What is the maximum funding amount?
Up to €80,000 per project.
3. What costs are covered?
Organisational costs, travel and mobility, and salary costs (up to 50%).
4. Is a Ukrainian partner mandatory?
Yes, at least one Ukrainian institution must be involved.
5. Who manages the funding?
The Finnish coordinating institution is responsible for financial management and reporting.
6. Can students benefit from this programme?
Yes, through mobility grants and academic opportunities.
7. What happens if documents are missing?
Applications will be considered ineligible.
Conclusion
The Finnish National Agency for Education Team Finland Knowledge Programme provides a strategic opportunity to strengthen Finland–Ukraine academic collaboration. By funding joint projects, mobility, and capacity-building initiatives, it supports the rebuilding and modernization of Ukraine’s higher education system.
For institutions seeking meaningful international partnerships and long-term impact, this programme offers both financial support and a framework for sustainable academic cooperation.
For more information, visit Finnish National Agency for Education.
