Grant Application Instructions

When and how do I apply? 

Apply for a grant in the electronic application system between 1 June and 15 August 2026. To submit an application, you must first register as a user in the system. The deadline for the application and all attachments is 15 August 2026 at 24.00 (UTC+3). 

Please read the grant round guidelines before you begin filling in the application. 

What does the application ask for? 

The application forms ask for information about the applicant and the grant. You will describe your background, your working situation during the grant period, and the main details of the project, including its purpose, disciplinary field, duration, the amount requested as a grant. 

You will be asked to choose one of the foundation’s  focus areas that best fits your project. The 2026 guidelines for the focus areas highlight questions that are important for the growth and renewal of the Finnish economy and business sector, and encourage high-quality, impactful research in business studies. The selection does not restrict the research perspective or scientific approach. You may also define your own focus area, provided that it aligns with the purpose of the foundation.

The thematic special project Innovations, Commercialization, and Growth focuses on areas that are important for developing Finland’s competitiveness. Its core themes include value-based pricing, value creation, productization, and marketing and sales processes, all of which are central to strengthening the competitiveness of Finnish companies. The optional section of the application form includes more detailed thematic questions. 

If you are applying for a three-year research group grant as the responsible applicant (PI) of the group, follow the research group application instructions. Compared with personal grants, the research group call differs, among other things, in the role of the Principal Investigator and the duration of the project period. 

All application must list any grants already awarded for the same project, other pending grant applications. 

How is the duration of the grant period determined?

Supervisor’s statement 

A supervisor’s statement strengthens the application and is especially recommended for doctoral research and the early stages of postdoctoral research. The supervisor named in the application must submit the statement through the electronic reference system by August 31 (UTC +3). The statement may be submitted in Finnish or English.

Grant Amounts

The full-time 12-month working grants in the 2026 application round:

• Doctoral research: €27,000
• Postdoctoral research: €32,000

Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers may also apply for one additional conference or travel grant through a separate application.

• Three-year research group grant: €150,000–€300,000 (€50,000–€150,000 per year). The application must be submitted by the group’s Principal Investigator (PI).

Working grants include the statutory MYEL insurance and other costs related to the research work. Additional costs must be itemized in the application form and in the research and funding plan. The final amount of the awarded grant depends on the intended use, the length of the grant period, any official or study leaves, and other funding sources indicated in the funding plan.

Special funds 

A significant part of the grant sum is targeted at special funds, and applicants do not need to apply to them separately. Some special fund calls may, however, have more specific target groups or criteria than the general grant guidelines. You may choose from a list of special fundsfor your application. Please check the criteria of special fund calls before applying. 

Application attachments 

Your application must include the key documents used to assess the project’s content, feasibility, and significance. Submit all attachments electronically through the application system by the deadline. All applicants must provide: 

1. Project description (1 page): what the project studies, why it matters, and how the research relates to the development of the Finnish economy and business life 
2. Research and funding plan (2–3 pages / research groups 3–5 pages): an overview of the research topic and the work planned for the grant period, including research questions, methods, and expected results; for conference travel grants, an abstract is sufficient (1 page) 
3. Curriculum vitae (CV): the CV of the applicant responsible; for research groups and working groups, also the CVs of the group members 
4. Depending on your situation, the application may also require an optional attachment: 

• • an interim report on a grant period that is being paid during the application period from 1 June to 15 August 2026 
  • an acceptance notice or invitation for a conference or trip, if available during the application period

Submitting the application 

Submit the application and all required attachments electronically through the grant system. After submission, you can no longer edit the application, so review it carefully beforehand. During the application period, you can ask application support to delete an incorrectly submitted application at hakemustuki@datalink.fi.