Deadline: 21-May-2026
The Nokia Visiting Professor Grant is an academic mobility programme designed to promote international collaboration in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). It enables high-level professors to conduct research and teaching activities through structured visiting appointments between Finland and other leading academic institutions.
The programme supports knowledge exchange between Finnish universities and global research institutions.
Purpose and Objectives
The grant aims to:
- Strengthen international collaboration in ICT research
- Support academic exchange between Finland and global institutions
- Enhance research cooperation between leading research groups
- Promote joint research and teaching activities
- Improve knowledge transfer in Information and Communications Technology
- Encourage ethical and high-quality research practices
- Increase global visibility of Finnish ICT research
The focus is on building long-term academic partnerships.
Focus Areas
The programme supports activities in:
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
- Academic research collaboration
- University-level teaching and supervision
- Joint research projects
- International academic mobility
- Development of research networks
- Ethical research and innovation practices
All activities must be aligned with ICT research and education.
Programme Structure
The visiting programme includes:
- Research collaboration at host institutions
- Teaching responsibilities at universities
- Academic seminars and lectures
- Joint research project development
- Engagement with research groups in Finland or abroad
The visit is expected to be fully integrated into academic work.
Duration Requirements
Key requirements include:
- Minimum visit duration: 2 months
- Extended academic engagement encouraged
- Structured involvement in research and teaching
Short-term visits below two months are not eligible.
Funding Coverage
The grant provides financial support for:
- Travel expenses
- Accommodation during the visit
The grant does not include:
- Salaries or personal income support
- Institutional overhead costs
- Research equipment or infrastructure
Funding is strictly mobility-focused.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants include:
- Distinguished foreign professors invited to Finnish universities or research institutes
- Finnish professors invited to respected foreign universities
- Researchers working in the ICT field
- Academics with strong research and teaching profiles
- Individuals with formal institutional invitations
Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence in ICT.
Host Institution Requirements
Host institutions must:
- Be universities or research institutes in Finland or abroad
- Be recognized and respected academic institutions
- Provide formal invitation for the visiting professor
- Support research and teaching integration
The programme depends on institutional collaboration.
Programme Approach
The grant is designed to:
- Facilitate two-way academic exchange
- Build long-term research partnerships
- Enhance ICT innovation and knowledge sharing
- Strengthen teaching capacity across institutions
- Support international academic mobility
The emphasis is on collaboration rather than individual funding.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Common issues in applications include:
- Visits shorter than two months
- Lack of formal institutional invitation
- Weak alignment with ICT research
- Requests for salary support (not allowed)
- Insufficient academic merit or profile
- Lack of clear research or teaching plan
Strong applications clearly define academic contribution and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the Nokia Visiting Professor Grant?
It is a funding programme supporting ICT professors engaged in international academic exchanges.
Q2. Who can apply?
Distinguished foreign professors visiting Finland and Finnish professors visiting abroad.
Q3. What is the minimum visit duration?
At least two months.
Q4. What expenses are covered?
Travel and accommodation only.
Q5. Does the grant include salary support?
No, salaries are not covered.
Q6. What field does it support?
Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Q7. What is the main goal?
To strengthen international academic collaboration in ICT research and teaching.
Conclusion
The Nokia Visiting Professor Grant supports international academic mobility in ICT by enabling distinguished professors to engage in research and teaching exchanges. By funding travel and accommodation for structured academic visits, the programme strengthens global collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation in Information and Communications Technology.
For more information, visit Nokia Foundation.