Fulbright-University of Vaasa Scholar Award
The Fulbright-University of Vaasa Scholar Award offers U.S. Scholars the opportunity to conduct research, or conduct research and teach at the University of Vaasa in Finland for a period of 3-12 months.
Purpose of the Grant Program
The award is intended for conducting high quality research, while some lecturing at the graduate or doctoral level during the visit is also encouraged.
The award is available for any field represented by the four schools listed below or the four multidisciplinary research platforms. Applicants are encouraged to contact the host schools and research platforms to plan their grant activities.
- School of Accounting and Finance
- School of Management
- School of Marketing and Communication
- School of Technology and Innovations
The multidisciplinary research platforms integrate disciplinary expertise with global trends, and advance multi-, cross- and inter-disciplinary research:
- Vaasa Energy Business Innovation Centre VEBIC
- Digital Economy
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship InnoLab
- Preparedness and resilience
The Fulbright-University of Vaasa Scholar Award is jointly funded by the University of Vaasa and the Fulbright Finland Foundation.
Benefits
The award is available for visits of 3–12 months. It includes:
- Monthly grant of 4 000 EUR (approx. 4 650 USD*), paid out in euro in monthly installments.
- One-time travel allowance of 1 800 USD.
- Residence permit allowance based on the actual permit fees (incl. grantee and accompanying family members).
- Housing for the scholar and their accompanying family arranged and paid for by the host university.
- Work facilities and administrative support.
- Orientation and support services provided by the Fulbright Finland Foundation in Helsinki. For example, the Foundation will arrange a four-day arrival orientation in Helsinki for all U.S. Fulbright grantees at the end of August each year (orientation is also arranged in January for grantees arriving for the spring semester).
- Fulbright Finland mid-year activities and networking opportunities (such as the American Voices Seminar at the University of Turku) each year.
- The grantee will also be eligible, free of charge, to participate in a Fulbright Finland pre-approved summer school in Finland consisting of courses on Finnish language, culture and society, pending availability of suitable programs.
* amounts are subject to change due to currency fluctuations.
Support for Grantees with Disabilities
Extra funding support is available for grantees with disabilities. If you have a disability that would cause additional costs for the grant term, contact the Foundation to discuss reasonable accommodations. Send your self-assessment with a description of the disability and the specific accommodations requested to the Foundation ([email protected]) by the grant application deadline.
Please note that disclosing the need for disability accommodation does not affect the review and selection process.
Eligibility and Evaluation Criteria
A candidate for the Fulbright-University of Vaasa Scholar Award must hold a Ph.D. degree and should have several years of research and teaching experience in their field. The candidate must be a U.S. citizen.
Proposals for medical research involving clinical training, patient care, or patient contact are not eligible. Please contact the Fulbright Finland Foundation if you have any questions about the eligibility of your project.
U.S. Scholar Program eligibility guidelines and review criteria are published on the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program website.
In Finland, the applications are evaluated according to the evaluation criteria set by the Fulbright Finland Foundation Board. The Foundation does not provide feedback on individual applications, their review process, or on any single grant decision.
Applicants residing in Finland are not eligible for a Fulbright grant.
The University of Vaasa
The University of Vaasa builds a sustainable future by uniquely combining business and technology expertise – we address global challenges with determination and close collaboration. As part of the largest energy technology hub in the Nordics, we promote sustainable business, energy, and society.
Recognized for excellence with international accreditations and strong performance in university rankings, we offer education in the fields of business, technology, administration, and communication. We educate the creators of the future who are shaping a more just and sustainable world
We are committed to creating genuine impact and concrete value for society. Our research drives meaningful change by focusing on energy transition, business renewal, and societal transformation. The University of Vaasa offers cutting-edge research infrastructures and multidisciplinary research platforms that foster innovation and strengthen collaboration with society and industry.
Inspiring Community
Our 7,000 students and 650 employees thrive on Finland’s most beautiful seaside campus. The University of Vaasa is an inspiring and international work community committed to diversity and equal opportunities. Over 35% of our research and teaching staff come from outside Finland, and our community represents more than 80 nationalities.
We offer excellent career opportunities in an international research environment and hold the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research quality label for our commitment to improving researchers’ working conditions and career development.
Located at the heart of EnergyVaasa, the leading energy and environmental technology cluster in the Nordics, we collaborate with a network of over 180 companies – including global market leaders – as well as municipalities, businesses, and universities. This unique ecosystem creates exceptional opportunities for research partnerships and innovation.
In the Vaasa region, beautiful nature and urban city life can be easily combined. Everything is close by, making it easy to move from one atmosphere and experience to another.
Explore the experiences of Fulbright scholars during their time at the University of Vaasa: https://blogs.uwasa.fi/visitingscholars/category/fulbright/.
How to Apply?
The competition for 2026-27 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Awards ended on September 15, 2025!
The U.S. program partner in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program is the Institute of International Education IIE. Applications are submitted through IIE and forwarded to discipline-based peer review committees in the U.S. Applications that pass this initial peer review in the U.S. are forwarded to the Fulbright Finland Foundation in Helsinki to be reviewed by the Foundation’s review committees. The Fulbright Finland Foundation makes the funding decisions and final selections of grantees.
Additional information and detailed application instructions are available from the Fulbright Finland Foundation and the Fulbright Scholar Program websites.
Fulbright Finland Foundation encourages potential applicants to contact the office directly with any questions.
Resources for Hosts
TIMELINE | |
|---|---|
| Application period starts: | February 2025 |
| Application period ends: | September 15, 2025 |
| Earliest possible starting date: | August 2026 - September 2026 or January 2027 |
| Orientation seminar in Helsinki: | TBC (expected to take place in mid-August 2026 and mid-January 2027) |
Further Information
NOTE: Late June, July and early August are traditionally summer vacation months in Finland and responses to inquiries may be delayed. Applicants are advised to contact the Finnish host institution well ahead of time to solicit an invitation letter for their application.
Contact Information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright Finland Foundation (general Fulbright program related questions) | University of Vaasa (host institution related questions) | ||
Emmi Jelekäinen Mihkel Vaim | Mia Smedlund
| ||
Useful links:
Fulbright Finland Foundation
University of Vaasa
Welcome guide for incoming researchers
Guide for University of Vaasa Visitors
Vaasa Region
Destination Finland
This is Finland
The Official Travel Site of Finland: Visit Finland
What is the Fulbright Finland Foundation?
The Fulbright Finland Foundation is a private, independent, not-for-profit organization based in Helsinki, Finland. The Foundation’s aim is
- to promote a wider exchange of knowledge and professional talents through educational contacts between Finland and the United States, and
- to support the internationalization of education and research in Finland, and help U.S. and Finnish institutions create linkages.
What Makes the Fulbright Finland Foundation Programs Unique?
- In addition to the grant, the Fulbright Finland Foundation offers the grantees several additional benefits and free support services, as well as an access to a global, multi-professional network.
- We are looking for applicants who want to impact the future and to make a difference – applicants who want to facilitate positive change, develop and advance their own profession or discipline, and find solutions to national and international challenges in their field.
- The grantees also act as ambassadors for the Fulbright Finland Foundation, their home country, and their home organization and, in this way, do their part in sharing their home country and culture and contributing to the relations between Finland and the U.S.
Fulbright-University of Vaasa Scholar Award program is part of the global Fulbright program operating in over 160 countries worldwide.
