Fulbright-VTT (VTT Technical Research Center of Finland) Award in Science, Technology and Innovation
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.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation and VTT offer a unique opportunity for international research collaboration on a broad range of current issues in science, technology, and innovation. The scholar will undertake research at VTT. The research project funded by the Fulbright-VTT Award can be based on either current VTT projects, or the researcher can propose a project of their own.
VTT is a visionary research, development, and innovation partner. They drive sustainable growth and tackle the biggest global challenges of our time, and turn them into growth opportunities. They go beyond the obvious to help society and companies to grow through technological innovations. VTT is at the sweet spot where innovation and business come together.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact VTT for more information and to work together in designing the grant activities. Please check VTT’s publication database before contacting VTT to find the research most closely linked to your research interest.
The Fulbright-VTT Award in Science, Technology and Innovation is jointly funded by VTT and the Fulbright Finland Foundation.
VTT has office locations throughout the country.
VTT’s largest presence is in Otaniemi, Helsinki Metropolitan Area. It is known as a center for technology industry, research, and education. Other major office locations include Oulu, Jyväskylä and Tampere. Read more about Helsinki at My Helsinki and more about Espoo at Visit Espoo.
Preferred start dates of August 2025 or January 2026.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
While this award is open to any project in the disciplines listed above, there is special interest in scholars who are in these particular specialty areas.
Specific consideration is given on this application round to applications covering the following topics:
- Quantum Technologies and Microelectronics
- Industrial Biotechnology
- Biomaterial processing and products
- Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (Propertune ICME)
- Nuclear energy; especially small modular reactors (SMR) or non-destructive testing (NDT)
- Hydrogen
- Other focus areas
Please visit the VTT website to learn more about our operations.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Potential hosts can refer to these instructions when writing a letter of invitation.
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 acquire an invitation letter for their application.
During the selection process, some applicants may be invited to a virtual call in mid-January 2025.
The award is awarded mainly to candidates with a Ph.D., but candidates with an MSc degree and strong expertise in their field may also be considered.
Professionals/non-academics with a minimum experience of seven years in the field will be considered.
Proposals for medical research involving clinical training, patient care, or patient contact are not eligible.
In addition to the general evaluation criteria, 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.
VTT Technical Research Center of Finland
Fulbright Finland Foundation
Information on the Fulbright-VTT Grant in Science, Technology and Innovation award on the Fulbright Finland Foundation website
Destination Finland
This is Finland
The Official Travel site of Finland: Visit Finland
More information about the city of Espoo: Visit Espoo
The stipend includes a monthly grant and free housing for the scholar and their accompanying family.
The monthly grant is €5,000 EUR (approx. $5,500) a month, paid out in euro in monthly installments.
Please note: amounts in USD are subject to change due to currency fluctuations.
VTT will arrange and cover the cost of housing for the scholar and their family. Applicants should communicate their housing needs to the host institution during the application process so that appropriate housing can be arranged for them.
A one-time travel allowance of $1,800 is provided.
Also, a residence permit allowance is provided - based on the actual permit fees (incl. grantee and accompanying family members).
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.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation in Helsinki arranges a four-day orientation seminar for scholars at the end of August, which scholars arriving for the fall semester are expected to attend. An orientation meeting is also arranged for scholars arriving in January. In addition, the Fulbright Finland Foundation organizes seminars and other events throughout the academic year for the Fulbright scholars to deepen their understanding of the Finnish culture.
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.
VTT Technical Research Center of Finland
VTT encourages applicants to contact the staff beforehand. Erika Holt and Sanna Downing are happy to help potential candidates connect with the staff members for discussion.
mobility@vtt.fi
Customer Account Lead
Lifecycle solutions
Email: erika.holt@vtt.fi
Tel. +358 40 593 1986
Team Leader, Global Mobility
Email: sanna.downing@vtt.fi
Tel. +358 40 637 4844
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. Please let us know if we can provide any further information about this award in particular or about the Finnish-American Fulbright program in general.
Program Manager, Scholar Programs
Email: USscholars@fulbright.fi
Tel: +358 44 5535 275
Coordinator
Email: USscholars@fulbright.fi