About us

Vision
The Fulbright Finland Foundation vision is to empower the minds that will find global solutions to tomorrow’s challenges by fostering academic and professional expertise and excellence in leadership.

"Together Shaping the Future"

Scholarships and leadership development programs have been at the core of our work from the very beginning. The Fulbright Finland Foundation awards grants to researchers, students, teachers and other professionals. Additionally, we respond to thousands of client contacts annually regarding U.S. and Finnish higher education systems. 

Supporting Higher Education Since 1949

We support the internationalization of education and research in Finland, and help U.S. and Finnish institutions create linkages. We organize for instance themed study tours to the United States for Finnish higher education experts and to Finland for U.S. professionals, run the highly popular Fulbright Speaker Program, the Fulbright Dialogues series, and the Transatlantic Roundtables, as well as organize several national Fulbright Seminars every year.

Alumni Are Our Asset

Our strategic asset is the alumni. Over 5700 Finns and Americans have received a grant from us since the inception of our programs in 1949. As a result, there is a large and growing alumni network in both countries. We invite new grantees to join this network, an unparalleled edge in research, job searching, and mentoring.

Board of Directors and Staff

The Board of Directors of the Fulbright Finland Foundation consists of eight members appointed by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture and the U.S. Embassy in Finland. The U.S. Ambassador to Finland serves as the Honorary Chair of the Board. The Foundation’s CEO leads the Helsinki based office with a staff of eight.

Broad Funding Base

The Foundation is funded by the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture, the U.S. Department of State, the Finland-America Educational Trust Fund, private foundations, Finnish and U.S. higher education institutions, alumni of the Fulbright Finland programs, and private donors. Vast majority of the core funding originates from Finland.