2018-2019 U.S. Fulbright Fellows sitting in two rows and hugging each other, smiling at the camera at the Helsinki City Hall after 2019 Fulbright Award Ceremony

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright Finland Foundation awards grants to U.S. students who hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree. Academically talented graduating seniors may also apply before having their degree in hand.

Purpose of the Grant Program

The grantee’s Fulbright period in Finland can have one of the following purposes:

  • to complete a full graduate degree program in Finland (Master's or Doctoral degree)*
  • to pursue research, such as doctoral research
  • to take courses in a Finnish university as a non-degree student
  • to pursue research and take courses

* The Fulbright grant (the monthly allowance) is awarded for one academic year only. However, in many cases, the Fulbright grant includes a full tuition waiver for the full Master's degree (2 years). Doctoral studies are in any case tuition-free in Finland. Please see further information on the grant benefits in the award-specific webpages below and information on the cost of study on the Study in Finland website.

Award categories

All the awards are university-specific and sponsored by the host university, except the Fulbright Finland Doctoral Award. 

  1. Fulbright Finland Doctoral Award
  2. Fulbright-Aalto University Graduate Award
  3. Fulbright-LUT University Graduate Award
  4. Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Award (Master’s degree studies only)
  5. Fulbright-University of Helsinki Graduate Award (Master’s degree studies only)
  6. Fulbright-University of Jyväskylä Graduate Award (Master’s degree studies only)
  7. Fulbright-University of Turku Graduate Award 

Note: You can apply to the different award categories by submitting only one application.

Also, please take note of the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowships Program available in Finland.

Graduate studies in Finland

Finland offers excellent study and research opportunities in a wide range of disciplines. Finnish universities offer high-quality programs in humanities and social sciences, fine and performing arts, as well as science and technology. They also have a wide selection of special Master’s and Doctoral programs taught in English. Visit the Study in Finland website and Studyinfo for more information. For a doctoral program search, visit the Opintopolku website.
 

Read more from the Fulbright Finland News Magazine 1/2017: Innovative Approaches and Leading Scientists Attracted U.S. Graduate Students to Lappeenranta and Kuopio

Language

An international student or researcher does not necessarily need to know Finnish or Swedish (the two official languages of Finland) in order to be able to study in Finland. Many universities offer programs in English, and the language is widely spoken both in academic circles and in the country as a whole. Candidates should consult the academic department as to the availability of courses and the possibility of conducting research in English.

Benefits

The funding and benefits packages are award-specific. Please find detailed funding and benefits information on each award page.

Each year current U.S. Student Fulbrighters in Finland may apply for additional funding from the Lois Roth Foundation (this funding is applied for after arrival to Finland).

Cost of study and living in Finland

Please read more on the cost of studying and living in Finland here.

 An additional grant, the Fulbright Finland Centennial Travel Grant in Architecture, Design, and the Visual Arts, can be awarded to U.S. or Finnish graduate student grantees representing any of the three fields to help cover their Fulbright project-related travel expenses in their destination country. No separate application is needed.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, if:

  • you are a U.S. citizen; and
  • hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree. Academically talented graduating seniors may also apply before having their degree in hand.
  • Please also see the award-specific eligibility requirements on the award websites. Some of the awards are targeted at master's students whereas others are for doctoral studies and research.

Please note that young post-docs who will not have received their doctorate before the Fulbright U.S. Student Program deadline are also eligible to apply.

You are not eligible to apply for the program, if:

  • you are currently enrolled in a Finnish university (and registered for attendance)
  • you are residing in Finland

Clinical medicine is not recommended as a field of study.

Wondering whether you are a right fit for the Fulbright program in Finland? Read 2021-22 U.S. Fulbright Fellow Meg's blog post "Who is a Fulbright Finland Grantee", be inspired to celebrate diverse academic backgrounds, and apply!

How to Apply?

Please read the application instructions carefully. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is administered on the U.S. side by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Affiliation

Candidates are responsible for securing affiliation or study placement with a Finnish institution of higher education, research institution, or other acceptable organization. Please read our tips on securing affiliation/a place of study.

"Studying political science in Finland might not at first pass seem incredibly relevant to someone who has spent most of their career in US state politics, but it was incredibly valuable and continues to be relevant. Learning how students and academics from other political systems view the US, and experiencing how non-US political processes work has helped me be a better issue advocate and a more intelligent public officer in New York State government. Perhaps most importantly, I was able to personally experience the importance of "soft power" programs like Fulbright, particularly in an age of increasing global tensions. In my opinion, there is no more efficient diplomatic tool than international educational exchange."
- Josh Meltzer studied Political Science on a Fulbright at the University of Helsinki in 2002-03 and serves now as the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Office of the Attorney General in State of New York.

Dependents

The Fulbright Finland Foundation does not provide maintenance for dependents. Candidates must ensure sufficient funds to support accompanying family members during their stay. Public schooling for children is easily available and free of charge. You will find more information on this topic in the "Bringing Your Family" section of our Guide to Coming to Finland.

Grant Timeline

  
Application period startsApril 2025
Virtual Advising Event for Fulbright U.S. Student Program Applicants to FinlandJune 9, 2025, 17:00-18:00 Finnish time
Application period endsOctober 7, 2025, 5 pm Eastern Time. 
Campus deadlines are typically 4-6 weeks earlier.
Semi-finalists selectedEarly 2026 (tentative)
Grantee selections publishedMarch-May 2026 (tentative)
Pre-arrival webinarApril-May 2026 (tentative)
Grant term beginsAugust 2026
Orientation in HelsinkiMid- to Late August 2026

 

See Finland Studies MOOC to learn about studying at Finnish universities!

Alumni Experiences

The Fulbright Finland Outreach Ambassadors are happy to share their knowledge about studying/doing research in Finland. Feel free to contact them.

Why have previous U.S. Fulbright student grantees chosen Finland?

Blog posts

Visit the Fulbright Finland Foundation YouTube Channel to see some grantee interviews! 

Partner Organization Contact Information

Institute of International Education (IIE)
Kyler Castro, Regional Program Officer, Europe, and Eurasia
Fulbright Student Scholar Program
Email: [email protected]

IIE hosts informational guidance sessions monthly on the US Student Fulbright program in each of IIE's regional centers and some university campuses via video conference. Information on the guidance session schedule can be found at fulbrightonline.org.


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 access to a global, multi-professional network.
  • We are looking for applicants who want to impact the future and 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.
Global Fulbright Program logo

Fulbright U.S. Student program is part of the global Fulbright program operating in over 160 countries worldwide.