Deadline: 15-Aug-2026
The Foundation for Economic Education is accepting applications for its Special Fund to support research, education, training, and development in business-related fields. The 2026 call gives special attention to research on innovation, commercialization, growth, pricing, sales management, and the competitiveness of Finnish companies. Eligible applicants may include individuals, research groups, working groups, and organizations depending on the grant type.
Overview
The Foundation for Economic Education Special Fund supports business-related research, education, professional development, publishing, academic events, and international cooperation.
The fund is designed to strengthen knowledge, skills, and innovation in economic and business fields. It supports applicants whose work contributes to business competitiveness, entrepreneurship, commercialization, innovation management, and the development of Finnish companies.
Key Focus Areas
The Special Fund supports work related to special funds, pooled thematic funds, JEL classification alignment, business research, education and training, commercialization, innovation management, business growth, scaling of operations, digital business channels, pricing, sales management, international market expansion, entrepreneurship development, and the competitiveness of Finnish companies.
For the 2026 call, special emphasis is placed on research connected to pricing and sales management.
What Are Special Funds?
Special funds are donor-directed resources that provide grants for specific applicant groups or clearly defined purposes. Each fund has its own objectives and may support different types of activities.
These activities may include:
- Business studies
- Research projects
- Educational activities
- Professional development
- Publishing
- Training
- Academic cooperation
- International collaboration
- Seminars and conferences
Special funds are targeted in nature, meaning applicants must ensure that their project matches the purpose of the specific fund before applying.
What Are Pooled Thematic Funds?
Pooled thematic funds combine several targeted funding purposes under broader themes. These funds are aligned with selected JEL classification categories in the application system.
JEL classifications are standard academic codes used to categorize research topics in economics and business studies. By aligning applications with JEL categories, the fund helps ensure that proposals are properly organized, reviewed, and connected to relevant business and economic research themes.
Thematic Special Project: Innovation, Commercialization, and Growth
The thematic special project on Innovation, Commercialization, and Growth prioritizes research that improves the competitiveness of Finnish companies.
This theme supports research in areas such as:
- Scaling business operations
- Innovation management
- Commercialization of ideas and products
- Manufacturing development
- Service business development
- Pricing strategies
- Sales management
- Digital channels
- Digital business models
- International market expansion
In the 2026 call, pricing and sales management research is especially encouraged.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants may include:
- Individual researchers
- Doctoral researchers
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Research groups
- Working groups
- Organizations
- Principal Investigators leading research groups
- Applicants involved in academic events, seminars, or research visits
Eligibility depends on the grant type and the purpose of the specific special fund.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The fund does not support undergraduate or graduate degree studies.
Applicants should also ensure that their proposed work fits within the purpose of the selected fund and aligns with the relevant business, economics, or management research themes.
Funding Support Available
The Special Fund may provide support for research work periods, research group projects, travel, events, and academic cooperation.
Doctoral researchers may receive funding for research work periods lasting from 4 to 12 months. The annual funding amount for doctoral researchers is €27,000.
Postdoctoral researchers may receive funding for research work periods lasting from 4 to 12 months. The annual funding amount for postdoctoral researchers is €32,000.
Research group grants led by a Principal Investigator may be awarded for up to 36 months. Group members’ work periods may range from 12 to 36 months.
Separate cost-based grants may also be available for:
- Conference travel
- Research visits
- Seminars
- Academic events
- Events organized by eligible organizations
Why It Matters
This funding opportunity is important because it supports research and development that can improve business knowledge, competitiveness, and innovation.
The focus on commercialization and growth helps connect academic research with practical business development. The emphasis on pricing and sales management is especially relevant for companies seeking to improve market performance, customer acquisition, revenue strategy, and international competitiveness.
For Finnish companies, the fund can support research that helps address real business challenges, improve operations, and strengthen long-term growth.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a complete application through the relevant application system and ensure that the proposal matches the selected special fund or pooled thematic fund.
Step 1: Identify the Right Fund
Review the available special funds and thematic funds. Select the fund that best matches your project, applicant profile, and research purpose.
Step 2: Align the Project with the Fund’s Objectives
Make sure the application clearly explains how the project supports business research, education, commercialization, innovation, pricing, sales management, entrepreneurship, or Finnish company competitiveness.
Step 3: Choose the Correct JEL Classification
If applying through a pooled thematic fund, select the appropriate JEL classification category in the application system. This helps reviewers understand the academic and thematic relevance of the proposal.
Step 4: Prepare the Required Attachments
Mandatory attachments may include:
- Project description
- Research plan
- Funding plan
- Curriculum vitae
- Supervising professor’s statement, where required
Doctoral researchers and early-stage postdoctoral applicants must include a supervising professor’s statement.
Step 5: Provide a Clear Budget and Work Period
Applicants should clearly state the requested funding amount, research period, project duration, and eligible costs.
Doctoral and postdoctoral applicants should ensure that the proposed work period falls within the 4 to 12-month range.
Research groups should confirm that the project duration and work periods match the allowed funding rules.
Step 6: Submit the Application
Submit the completed application with all required information and attachments before the deadline through the official application system.
Step 7: Complete Interim Reporting if Required
Applicants seeking continuation funding must provide interim reporting. This reporting helps demonstrate progress, use of funds, and the need for continued support.
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should make their proposal clear, focused, and aligned with the fund’s purpose.
Strong applications should:
- Clearly connect the project to business research or economic development
- Explain how the research supports Finnish company competitiveness
- Highlight relevance to innovation, commercialization, growth, pricing, or sales management
- Use the correct JEL classification
- Provide a realistic research plan and budget
- Include all required attachments
- Show how the project contributes to academic and practical knowledge
- Demonstrate the value of interdisciplinary or international cooperation where relevant
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting incomplete or poorly aligned applications.
Common mistakes include:
- Applying for undergraduate or graduate degree studies
- Selecting the wrong fund or theme
- Missing required attachments
- Providing an unclear project description
- Failing to explain the business relevance of the research
- Omitting the supervising professor’s statement when required
- Submitting a weak or unrealistic funding plan
- Ignoring the 2026 emphasis on pricing and sales management where relevant
FAQ
1. What is the Foundation for Economic Education Special Fund?
The Special Fund is a funding opportunity that supports research, education, training, professional development, publishing, academic events, and international cooperation in business-related fields.
2. What does the fund support?
The fund supports business research, educational activities, professional development, research visits, seminars, academic events, publishing, innovation management, commercialization, entrepreneurship, and projects that improve the competitiveness of Finnish companies.
3. What is the main focus of the 2026 call?
The 2026 call places special emphasis on pricing and sales management research. It also supports broader themes such as innovation, commercialization, growth, digital channels, business models, and scaling of business operations.
4. Who can apply?
Eligible applicants may include individuals, doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research groups, working groups, Principal Investigators, and organizations, depending on the grant type.
5. Are students eligible for this funding?
Undergraduate and graduate degree studies are not eligible. However, doctoral researchers may apply for research work period funding if they meet the requirements.
6. How much funding is available for researchers?
Doctoral researchers may receive annual funding of €27,000, while postdoctoral researchers may receive annual funding of €32,000. Research group grants may be awarded for up to 36 months.
7. What documents are required for the application?
Required documents may include a project description, research plan, funding plan, CV, and a supervising professor’s statement for doctoral researchers and early-stage postdoctoral applicants.
Conclusion
The Foundation for Economic Education Special Fund provides targeted support for business research, education, innovation, commercialization, and growth. The 2026 call is especially relevant for researchers and organizations working on pricing, sales management, digital business models, scaling, and the competitiveness of Finnish companies. Applicants should submit a clear, well-structured proposal that matches the selected fund’s purpose and includes all required documents.
For more information, visit Foundation for Economic Education.