Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair
Finland
Number of recipients
In addition to being a prestigious academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the United States and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, Fulbright Scholars may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host community, in addition to their primary activities.
Aalto University is known as a place, where science and art meet technology and business. The university works for shaping a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across its disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to
major global challenges. It renews society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset. At Aalto all work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage and collaboration. The university’s living strategy is tailored for a world in motion.
Aalto University’s research focuses on seven key areas: ICT and digitalization, global business dynamics, materials and sustainable use of natural resources, arts and design knowledge building, human-centred living environments, health and wellbeing, and advanced energy solutions. The university has become a forerunner in its key research areas.
For the academic year 2025-2026, the Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair provides U.S. scholars with the opportunity to conduct research and teach at Aalto University School of Business, School of Chemical Engineering, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering, and School of Science Department of Applied Physics. Although this award emphasizes active research work, teaching is also expected.
Aalto University strives to provide a very friendly and collegial atmosphere to pursue a variety of professional activities in research, teaching and lecturing. Collaboration is encouraged such as research and writing joint publications with Finnish colleagues and mentoring student research at the master's and doctoral levels. In addition to teaching at Aalto University, the Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair has the opportunity to network and create linkages throughout Finland and give occasional guest lectures at other Finnish universities.
Applicants should contact Aalto University faculty in the department directly to work together in designing activities for the application. A research and teaching plan should be included in the project statement of the Distinguished Chair application. Applicants are requested to include a letter of invitation from the relevant unit at Aalto University in their application; the letter must be signed by the Dean of the relevant school.
The Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair is jointly funded by the Aalto University and the Fulbright Finland Foundation (the Finnish Fulbright Commission).
Aalto University was founded in 2010 by merging three leading Finnish institutions - Helsinki University of Technology, the Helsinki School of Economics and the University of Art and Design Helsinki - as a societally embedded, innovative research university for a better world.
The campus in Espoo's Otaniemi supports Aalto University's vision for building an innovative society. The campus has turned into a world-class collaboration hub combining high tech, art and design and business in a unique way and driving one of Europe's leading start-up ecosystems. Otaniemi is about 15 minutes from the city center of Helsinki. The campus and its immediate vicinity is the site for many of Finland’s largest companies’ headquarters, not to mention home to a great number of smaller companies.
The Schools that host Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chairs in 2025-26:
- The School of Business is Finland's leading business school and one of the top business schools in Europe. The School was the first business school in the Nordic countries to receive the most important international quality accreditations of the field: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. This makes it one of the best business schools in the world.
- The School of Chemical Engineering advances sustainable solutions and breakthroughs for bio- and circular economy by scientific and engineering excellence through multidisciplinary and industrial relevance.
- The School of Electrical Engineering intertwines electrical engineering, the natural sciences and information technology to form smart systems and innovations that save energy and increase well-being. The research is applied in mobile telephones, electricity networks and in satellites.
- The School of Engineering teaches and researches fields that encompass all aspects of our built-up environment. Global warming, energy conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are the focus areas of both research and teaching.
- The School of Science internationally acclaimed high-level research focuses on advanced energy solutions, condensed matter and materials physics; creation and transformation of technology based business; data science and artificial intelligence; health technology; neuroscience; and software engineering. Note! During this application round the School welcomes applications to the Department of Applied Physics only.
Grants should begin in August 2025 or January 2026 unless otherwise agreed between the scholar, host and the Fulbright Finland Foundation. The academic year runs from September to mid-May/June.
For applicants interested in working with the School of Business, special areas of interest include: Management studies; Accounting and Business Law; Marketing; Finance; Economics; and Information and Service Management.
For applicants interested in working with the School of Chemical Engineering, special areas of interest include: Forest products technologies, chemical engineering, industrial biotechnology, materials science and nanotechnology, metals and minerals processing and energy technology.
For applicants interested in working with the School of Electrical Engineering, special areas of interest include: Electronics and Nanoengineering; Signal Processing and Acoustics; Electrical Engineering and Automation; Communications and Networking; and Telecommunications.
For applicants interested in working with the School of Engineering, special areas of interest include: Arctic technology, Sustainable built environments, Mechanics and Materials, Multidisciplinary Energy Technologies and Systems Design and Production.
For applicants interested in working with the School of Science, Department of Applied Physics, special areas of interest include: Materials Physics, Quantum Technology, Soft & Living Matter, and Advanced Energy Solutions
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants are required to include a letter of invitation from the relevant unit at Aalto University. Before applying, the applicant must contact Mervi Rantanen (Mervi.Rantanen@aalto.fi) to facilitate the internal process at Aalto University. The letter of invitation must be signed by the Dean of the respective school, and include information on the agreed teaching and research plan, length and dates of the proposed visit, and confirmation that the host institution will fund the monthly grant payment and pay for and arrange housing (for the scholar and accompanying family) during the visit (Finnish host institution should refer to these instructions).
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 in advance to solicit an invitation letter for their application.
All teaching can be conducted in English and research work usually does not require knowledge of Finnish or Swedish.
During the selection process, some applicants may be invited to a Teams call in mid-January 2025.
Candidates should have a prominent record of scholarly accomplishment.
Additionally, candidates in all Fulbright programs are reviewed on the project’s contribution to the objectives of the Fulbright Program as well as on the adaptability and suitability of the candidate to act as a Fulbright Ambassador for the U.S. in Finland.
You may be asked to participate in an interview as part of the in-country selection process.
Fulbright Finland
Information on the Fulbright-Aalto University Distinguished Chair on the Fulbright Finland website
Aalto University
This is Finland (Finnish culture, politics, history, society, etc.)
Visit Finland
The monthly grant is €5,600 EUR (approx. $5,926 USD), paid in euros in monthly installments. The maximum amount for a nine-month grant is €50,400 EUR (approx. $53,332 USD). Please note: amounts in USD are subject to change due to currency fluctuations.
There are no separate allowances for accompanying dependents.
Aalto University will provide and cover the cost of housing for the scholar and their accompanying family members; this information should be confirmed in the letter of invitation. Applicants should communicate their housing needs to the host institution as early as possible so that appropriate housing can be arranged for them.
A one-time travel allowance of $2,000 USD is provided. Also, a residence permit allowance is provided - based on the actual permit fees (including permit fees for accompanying dependents).
K-12 education in Finland is generally free or heavily subsidized (some special schools, such as private international schools, may charge tuition). Instruction in English is available in Helsinki and other bigger cities at kindergartens, elementary and secondary schools, as well as at the university level, however many of them require an aptitude test and sometimes entry is competitive.
For details about the Finnish education system please visit the Ministry of Education and Culture, which provides greater insight to education at all levels across Finland.
Aalto University arranges housing for the Chair and their family and provides working facilities at the institution. The Chair is provided with a monthly allowance, travel allowance, residence permit allowance, and an accident and sickness insurance for the grant period.
In addition to being a distinguished academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program is designed to expand and strengthen relationships between the people of the U.S. and citizens of other nations and to promote international understanding and cooperation. To support this mission, the Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes orientation, lectures, and visits for the Fulbright scholars to deepen their understanding of the Finnish culture. The Fulbright Finland Foundation in Helsinki arranges an orientation for scholars at the end of August and again in January; scholars are expected to attend one depending on their arrival
Final grant amounts will be determined prior to the start of the academic year and are subject to the availability of funds. The United States Department of State and the Fulbright Commission in the host country reserve the right to alter, without notice, participating countries, number of awards and allowances.
Finland
To learn more about Fulbright U.S. Scholar awards in Finland for 2025-26, please view our archived webinar and slides to hear directly from the Fulbright Commission, IIE staff, and U.S. Scholar alums regarding award details, the scholar experience, and application guidance.
Finland is a Nordic country the size of California located in northern Europe and is part of the European Union. It is rather sparsely populated (5.6 million people) and has extensive nature: forests, coastline, and lakes. The six largest cities host approximately 60% of the population; urban environments are closely linked to nature. It is a country that has a well-organized and efficient society. The general infrastructure, both public and private services, is considered very effective. Well run public services such as transportation, police, education, and healthcare are fundamental and highly regarded parts of the society. The arts and design, cultural life, nature, and sports are highly valued. Finland ranks as one of the world’s most stable nations and has been named one of the safest and least corrupt countries in the world, which makes it an easy place to live and travel.
Finns believe strongly in equality and education, and the country is especially known for its effective and free education system. Finland has two types of higher education institutions: universities and universities of applied sciences (UAS). Finnish higher education institutions engage in world-leading research and offer high-quality academic programs. On a national level, research and development is highly emphasized. The Finnish government is committed to the target of raising research and development expenditure to four per cent of GDP by 2030. Together with a welcoming and intriguing environment, Finland offers interesting opportunities for American researchers, teachers, and professionals. English is widely used at the university level.
The academic year in Finland is based on a two-semester system. The official academic year starts on August 1 and ends on July 31. However, in the fall semester, lectures are usually scheduled between September and mid-December, and in the spring semester, between early January and May. Typically, there is no teaching during the summer and on public holidays.
Finland has a strong Fulbright program with a unique history. The program has an important role in supporting the internationalization of education and research in Finland, helping U.S. and Finnish institutions create linkages, and promoting a wider exchange of knowledge and professional talents through educational contacts between Finland and the United States. The program has grown in recent years due to the close cooperation of the Fulbright Finland Foundation with Finnish universities, research institutions, governmental agencies, and private foundations, as well as to U.S. and Finnish alumni contributions. Most of the program’s funding currently comes from Finland.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation offers awards to U.S. scholars to teach or pursue research in Finland. The majority of awards are available to scholars in all disciplines, but some awards are limited to certain fields. In nearly all categories, housing is provided for the grantee. Awards are also available for professionals for career development.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation also provides information for Finnish institutions, which applicants are encouraged to utilize when contacting prospective hosts.
Read more about Finland:
Fulbright Finland Foundation website
Fulbright Finland News Magazine
Visit Finland
This is Finland
Scott E. Buchanan - Fulbright Bicentennial Chair in American Studies 2019-20
David Dorman - Fulbright-Saastamoinen Foundation Distinguished Chair in Health and Environmental Sciences 2021-2022
Visit the Fulbright Finland Foundation website to see grantees from previous years.
Visit our Scholar Directory to view and search all Fulbright alumni. You can also learn more about Fulbright Alumni Ambassadors.
Aalto University
Before applying, the applicant is strongly advised to contact Mervi Rantanen (Mervi.Rantanen@aalto.fi) to facilitate the internal process at Aalto University.
Senior Advisor, Global Engagement
Leadership Support Services
Email:
Tel: +358 50 4722 775 Mervi.Rantanen@aalto.fi
Fulbright Finland Foundation
The Fulbright Finland Foundation encourages potential applicants to visit its website for further information and contact the office directly with any questions: office@fulbright.fi
Senior Program Manager
E-mail: karoliina.kokko@fulbright.fi
Tel: +358 44 5535 268