Call for Proposals: KAUTE Foundation Grant Program (Finland)

The KAUTE Foundation Grant Program provides funding for university post-degree studies and young research fellows in economics and technical sciences. The program prioritizes research aligned with digitalization, sustainability transition, and a diverse and just future, offering working grants, research cost grants, and targeted support for early-career researchers connected to Finnish universities.

Overview of the KAUTE Foundation Grant Program

The KAUTE Foundation Grant Program supports academic research and post-degree studies in the fields of economics and technical sciences.

The program targets doctoral candidates, young postdoctoral researchers, and early-career research fellows whose work contributes to Finnish society, business life, and global development.

Funding is awarded through a general call for applications, with multiple grant types available depending on the applicant’s status and research needs.

Strategic Focus Areas

The KAUTE Foundation funds research aligned with the following strategic themes:

• Supporting development through digitalization

• Accelerating the sustainability transition

• Promoting a diverse and just future

Applicants are expected to clearly connect their research topic to one or more of these themes.

Types of Grants Available

Working Grants

Working grants are available for:

• Doctoral candidates

• Young postdoctoral researchers

Grant durations and funding levels:

• 3 months: from €6,000

• 6 months: mid-range funding

• 12 months: up to €28,000

The final amount depends on:

• Duration of the grant

• Applicant’s academic status

• Total annual funding awarded by the Foundation

Research Cost Grants

• Available up to €5,000

• Intended to support research-related expenses

• Not available for Open Access publication fees

Travel Grants (Important Update)

• Travel grants are no longer included in the general call

• They are awarded separately through the Tutkijat maailmalle program

• This program opens later in the spring

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

Grants may be awarded to:

• Finnish citizens

• Finnish communities or workgroups

• International scholars with strong ties to Finnish universities

Applicants are typically expected to have:

• A business, economics, engineering, or technical sciences degree, or

• Demonstrated experience in these fields

Early-Career Researcher Requirement

• No more than five years may have passed since completion of the doctoral dissertation

This requirement applies especially to postdoctoral and young researcher grants.

Ineligible Applicants and Fields

Funding is not awarded for:

• Medical sciences

• Law

• Basic higher education degree studies

• Continuing education (e.g. MBA programs)

• Open Access publication fees

Certain travel grants under the Foreign Trade Special Fund are restricted to Aalto University School of Business students only.

Why This Grant Matters

The KAUTE Foundation Grant Program is designed to:

• Strengthen high-quality research in economics and technical sciences

• Support early-career researchers at a critical career stage

• Bridge academic research with Finnish business life and society

• Encourage research with practical, real-world applications

• Promote science communication and public engagement

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applications are assessed based on three core criteria.

1. Applicant Ability

Evaluation considers:

• Previous academic and professional achievements

• Demonstrated motivation and passion for research

• International research networks

• Overall funding situation and feasibility

2. Scientific Ambition

Reviewers assess whether:

• The research topic is new or innovative

• The project connects to current scientific debate

• Multidisciplinary approaches are applied where relevant

3. Societal and Business Relevance

Applicants must explain:

• The practical usefulness of their research

• How results can be applied in education, business, or policy

• The relevance of the research to Finnish society

Engagement and Science Communication

The Foundation values researchers who:

• Engage with Finnish society beyond academia

• Share research findings through blogs, articles, or social media

• Communicate complex ideas in an accessible way

To support this, the KAUTE Foundation offers communications training, including guidance for producing videos and other public-facing materials.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that:

• Your field is economics or technical sciences

• You meet the postdoctoral time limit (within five years of PhD completion)

• Your research aligns with KAUTE Foundation strategic themes

Step 2: Prepare Application Materials

• Complete the application via the grant service system

• All appendices must be submitted as PDF files

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of all information

Step 3: Submit Required Statements

• Statements must be submitted via a system-generated link

• Deadline: within seven days after the application period ends

Step 4: Responsibility of the Signatory

• The application signatory is fully responsible for the accuracy of all details

• Incorrect or misleading information may result in:

  • Cancellation of the grant

  • Recovery of awarded funds

Step 5: Stay Reachable

• All notifications are sent to the signatory’s email address

• Any changes in contact details must be reported during the grant period

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for ineligible fields such as medicine or law

• Requesting funding for Open Access publication costs

• Missing the postdoctoral five-year eligibility window

• Submitting appendices in non-PDF formats

• Failing to explain the societal or business relevance of the research

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the KAUTE Foundation Grant Program?

Finnish citizens, communities, workgroups, and international researchers with strong ties to Finnish universities may apply.

2. What is the maximum working grant amount?

Working grants range from €6,000 to €28,000, depending on duration and applicant status.

3. Are travel grants included in the general call?

No. Travel grants are awarded separately through the Tutkijat maailmalle program.

4. Can I apply more than five years after completing my PhD?

No. Generally, no more than five years may have passed since the doctoral dissertation.

5. Does the Foundation support Open Access publication fees?

No. Research cost grants are not granted for Open Access publications.

6. What fields are excluded from funding?

Medical sciences, law, basic degree studies, and continuing education programs such as MBAs are not funded.

7. How important is societal relevance in evaluation?

Very important. Applicants must clearly explain how their research benefits Finnish society, education, or business life.

Conclusion

The KAUTE Foundation Grant Program offers significant support for early-career researchers in economics and technical sciences who aim to create academically ambitious and socially relevant research. By combining financial support with an emphasis on impact, communication, and sustainability, the program plays a vital role in shaping research that contributes meaningfully to Finland’s future.