The University of Lapland and the Fulbright Finland Foundation have signed a cooperation agreement that will give American researchers the opportunity to research and teach at the University of Lapland.
The scholarship program offers American researchers the opportunity to work in four faculties at the University of Lapland – education, law, art and design, and social sciences – as well as at the Arctic Centre.
The cooperation is based on joint funding and a strong partnership, with the University of Lapland and the Fulbright Finland Foundation supporting the researchers' work both financially and with practical arrangements.
The scholarship program strengthens the University of Lapland's international networking and brings new perspectives to Arctic research and teaching. At the same time, it offers U.S. researchers the opportunity to delve deeper into northern issues and actively participate in the Finnish university community.
"The United States is one of the leading countries in research and education, so it is natural and justified to deepen the opportunities for academic cooperation between the University of Lapland's experts in research and the arts and their American partners," says Antti Syväjärvi, Rector of the University of Lapland.
U.S. researchers who receive grants will plan their research and teaching activities together with the faculty or department, which enables truly interactive collaboration. The Foundation organizes an orientation program for scholarship recipients arriving in Finland, which supports their adaptation and networking in Finland, and provides support services throughout the scholarship period.
The collaboration generated by the program promotes the sharing of knowledge and expertise, supports long-term academic dialogue, and lays the foundation for new joint projects.
“We are very pleased to deepen our long-standing relationship with the University of Lapland. The scholarship program established through this new agreement will further strengthen Finnish-U.S. research cooperation and enhance the visibility of the University of Lapland within the U.S. scientific community,” says Terhi Mölsä, CEO of the Foundation.
Background: Active Cooperation
To date, the University of Lapland has sent more than 20 scholarship recipients to the United States through various Fulbright Finland Foundation programs and received nearly 30 American grantees.
Two researchers from the university are currently participating in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative programme, which promotes Arctic research cooperation. Through the programme, an American expert has also arrived at the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland this fall.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation is a private Finnish foundation established based on an agreement between the governments of Finland and the United States.
With the purpose of promoting a wider exchange of knowledge and professional talents through educational contacts between Finland and the United States, the Foundation collaborates with a range of government, foundation, university and corporate partners on both sides of the Atlantic to design and manage study and research scholarships, leadership development programs, and internationalization services.
The Foundation support the internationalization of education and research in Finland and helps U.S. and Finnish institutions create linkages.
Further information
Mari Putaansuu, Director of Internationalisation Services, +358 44 478 0249, [email protected]
Terhi Mölsä, CEO, +358 50 570 5498
[email protected]
More information about the Fulbright-University of Lapland Scholar Award will be made available on the Foundation’s website under the research and lecturing grants to Finland.
