Finnish Gov’t Offers PhD Scholarships for 2020-2021 Academic Year

The Cultural Affairs and Missions Sector at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research announced that the Finnish Government is set to grant scholarships for doctoral level post-graduate studies and research in Finnish universities and public research centers for the academic year of 2020/2021.

The scholarship will be offered in accordance with the Cultural and Educational joint Cooperation agreement.

It also can be applied for a study/research period of 3-9 months, 9 months being the maximum time for an inpidual applicant.

The scholarship grant can be awarded for 3 to 9 months. It is 1,500 euros/month and is paid to the applicant in full. It is enough to cover the living costs of only one person in Finland.

The scholarship period cannot be extended, so any additional funding needed must be acquired from other sources.

Travel expenses to Finland and within Finland will not be covered. The scholarship holder must also pay for the insurance and visa costs themselves.

The scholarship of the Finnish National Agency for Education (EDUFI) is tax-free because the amount does not exceed the tax-free grant amounts allowed in Finland. If you have been awarded other grants or have other income at the same time, this may exceed the tax-free limit.

To apply for the scholarship, you also need to meet the following criteria:

You have been pre-approved to carry out research relating to a doctoral level thesis or been invited as a doctoral student in a Finnish university or a public research centre.

You have a letter of invitation from a supervisor in a Finnish university or a research centre, stating that this host is committed to working with you.

You have not already studied or worked in a Finnish university for more than a year immediately before the planned start of the scholarship period.

You can demonstrate your proficiency in English with an official language test (IELTS, TOEFL) and can attach a certificate for this in your application form. Alternatively, it is confirmed in the invitation letter from the university that they regard your language skills sufficient for research and studies in a university in Finland