Nessling Foundation’s general grant call is open from 17 to 28 August 2026. The call will distribute a total of €3.25 million to support the sustainability transformation.
Sign up for the information sessions
- Monday 8 June 2–3 pm: Funding for doctoral thesis and postdoc research (in Finnish) – sign up
- Monday 8 June 3.30–4.30 pm: Funding for doctoral thesis and postdoc research (in English) – sign up
- Tuesday 9 June 3–4 pm: Funding for science-based action projects (in Finnish) – sign up
Please note that the instructions for making an application will be updated during May.
In the general grant call, we are looking for active researchers and actors whose projects speed up the sustainability transformation that protects natural systems.
In the general grant call, we award funding for three purposes. You can apply for:
- personal grants for doctoral thesis projects (for a maximum of 4 years)
- personal grants for postdoc projects (for a maximum of 2 years)
- project funding for science-based action projects (for a maximum of 2 years).
The application must be sent through the Nesslink system. All applicants must register to apply.
The sustainability transformation is a response to the ecological crisis. In the midst of this crisis, society and all its sectors must change to respect the limits of the planet and acknowledge humanity’s dependence on natural systems. This is referred to as a sustainability transformation that protects natural systems (Read more: Finnish Expert Panel for Sustainable Development).
We understand the sustainability transformation as a comprehensive process of societal change grounded in strong sustainability, which aims to align human activities with the ecological limits of the planet. It goes beyond technological solutions, demanding a far-reaching transformation across all areas of life – changes in the structures and functions of culture and society such as the economy, governance, production and consumption and our values and mindsets. A key aspect of the transformation is also the recognition of human dependence on nature.
The sustainability transformation is realised through active and purposeful human action across the society: in political decision-making, administrative regulation, the activities of businesses and other organisations, as well as in civil society initiatives and everyday choices. At the heart of the transformation is a coherent and long-term policymaking that ensures fairness and inclusiveness throughout the transformation (Read more: Luontopaneeli, in Finnish).
What kind of research and action is the Nessling Foundation supporting in the autumn 2026 call?
The Nessling Foundation supports research and action that speeds up the sustainability transformation that protects natural systems. By natural systems, we mean the wholes formed by other species and their habitats that sustain life on Earth, including human life. These systems are being destabilised by the transgression of planetary boundaries.
We are looking for projects that either increase understanding about sustainability transformation or help push it forward in concrete ways. We can also fund projects that strengthen resilience and the capacity to withstand crises in the face of the ecological crisis, as well as adaptation as part of this.
What matters is that the project is convincingly connected to the broader systemic change required for sustainability transformation. The funding application should therefore describe how the project is positioned in relation to the phenomena, assumptions, structures or practices that are central to sustainability transformation. The following questions may help to illustrate the project’s connection to sustainability transformation:
- How does the project support staying within the planetary boundaries?
- How does the project relate to socio-ecological systems — that is, the interconnected systems formed by society and the environment, in which societal and ecological changes are in constant interaction?
- How does the project improve understanding of, or help transform, the structures, development or functioning of a particular social-ecological system?
- How does the project generate new solutions, practices or knowledge that speed up the sustainability transformation?
Doctoral and postdoctoral research
We fund doctoral and postdoctoral research, which may be disciplinary, interdisciplinary, applied or basic research. We particularly value projects that:
- combine perspectives from different disciplines in new ways
- open up new lines of inquiry, for example through research questions, concepts, methods or other approaches
- represent high-quality research that deepens existing knowledge.
We expect the researchers we fund to take an active role as researchers, because research that advances sustainability transformation is developed in interaction with society. It is important that the applicant is able to articulate who is connected to the research or activity, who may benefit from its results, what kinds of impact the research may have, and how it will be communicated in ways that are clear and accessible to different audiences. For this reason, applicants are required to submit, as part of the application, a separate communication and interaction plan alongside the research plan.
Science-based action projects
We fund science-based action projects that do not involve research but are grounded in science-based knowledge. These projects should aim for societal impact to speed up the sustainability transformation.
What kind of funding can be applied for in the autumn 2026 call?
The same person may submit only one application in the general funding call. This means that the same person cannot apply for a grant for doctoral or postdoctoral research and also act as the project leader of an action project. Nor can the same person act as the project leader in two different action projects. Applicants must have a connection to Finland as described below for each project type. The funded work must begin during 2027.
1. Doctoral thesis projects: we award personal working grants for doctoral thesis projects for a maximum of four years
- In the 2026 call, the amount of a personal grant for doctoral researchers is €32,000 per year. In addition to this amount, it is possible to include other costs in the application including for example well-justified research and travel costs, or costs related to communication and interaction.
- Doctoral funding is awarded as a personal grant, so the applicant must be the recipient of the grant themselves.
- Funding is awarded for full-time research. It cannot be applied for part-time work.
- The applicant must have a connection to Finland. Doctoral funding may be applied for by Finnish citizens for work carried out in Finland or abroad, or by non-Finnish citizens if they are affiliated with a Finnish research organisation, live in Finland, or the work is carried out in Finland.
- The same person may receive funding for a doctoral thesis project only once.
- We fund doctoral thesis work if the project is less than halfway through. We do not fund doctoral work lasting less than two years, such as the finalisation of a dissertation.
- The doctoral student’s undergraduate degree must be completed and admission to the doctoral programme confirmed before beginning their grant-funded work.
Read more about funding for doctoral thesis projects and the instructions for making an application (Please note that the instructions will be updated during May)
2. Postdoc research projects: we award personal working grants for postdoc research projects for a maximum of two years
- In the 2026 call, the amount of a personal grant for postdoctoral researchers is €36,000 per year. In addition to this amount, it is possible to include other costs in the application including for example well-justified research and travel costs, or costs related to communication and interaction.
- Postdoctoral funding is awarded as a personal grant, so the applicant must be the recipient of the grant themselves.
- Funding is awarded for full-time research. It cannot be applied for part-time work.
- The applicant must be affiliated with a research organisation.
- The applicant must have a connection to Finland. Postdoctoral funding may be applied for by Finnish citizens for work carried out in Finland or abroad, or by non-Finnish citizens if they are affiliated with a Finnish research organisation, live in Finland, or the work is carried out in Finland.
- We fund postdoc projects if no more than five years have passed since the applicant completed their doctoral degree (excluding parental leave, long-term illness or Finnish military/civil service). You may apply in the 2026 grant call if your doctoral degree was completed in 2021 or later.
- Applicants who are close to completing their doctoral degree may apply. Permission to defend the dissertation must be submitted to the Nessling Foundation no later than 6 November 2026.
- The same person may receive funding for a postdoc research project only once.
- Doctoral researchers with ongoing funding from the Nessling Foundation: You may apply for funding if the project funded by the Nessling Foundation is close to completion. However, the current Nessling-funded project must have ended and been reported on by the time the new project begins.
Read more about funding for postdoc research projects and the instructions for making an application (Please note that the instructions will be updated during May)
3. Science-based action projects: we award project funding for science-based action projects for a maximum of two years
- The conditions will be updated during May.
Read more about project funding for science-based action projects and the instructions for making an application (Please note that the instructions will be updated during May)
What are the criteria for funding decisions?
Research projects: doctoral thesis and postdoc projects
| 1. Sustainability transformation potential (1–5) | – Connection to sustainability transformation that protects natural systems – Ability to identify leverage points for sustainability transformation – Ability to open up new research directions (e.g., research questions, concepts, methods and other approaches) |
| 2. Research impact (1–5) | – Societal relevance of the research topic – Applicability of the results – Communication about the research and its results and interaction with stakeholders (especially knowledge users) |
| 3. Scientific quality (1–5) | – Theoretical and methodological quality of the research – Scientific capabilities of the researcher and possible research group – Cooperation and justified mobility between researchers/research groups/organisations, including international mobility |
| 4. Feasibility (1–5) | – Research implementation plan including availability of data, timetable, and funding – Education, supervision and research structures that support the research (if applying for a doctoral thesis grant) – Quality and realism of the risk assessment |
Science-based action projects
| 1. Sustainability transformation potential (1–5) | – Connection to sustainability transformation that protects natural systems – Ability to identify leverage points for sustainability transformation |
| 2. Societal impact (1–5) | – Societal relevance of the project – Applicability of the results – Communication about the project and interaction with stakeholders (especially knowledge users) |
| 3. Scientific basis (1–5) | – Scientific knowledge base (demonstrated by the list of references) – Expertise of the implementer and the project team |
| 4. Feasibility (1–5) | – Implementation plan – Quality and realism of the risk assessment |
Where can I get more information about the autumn 2026 calls?
You can get further information about the funding call by attending our open information session, calling during phone hours, or booking a sparring session.
Join the information sessions
- Monday 8 June 2–3 pm klo 14–15: Funding for doctoral thesis and postdoc research (in Finnish) – sign up
- Monday 8 June 3.30–4.30 pm: Funding for doctoral thesis and postdoc research (in English) – sign up
- Tuesday 9 June 3–4 pm: Funding for science-based action projects (in Finnish) – sign up
The sessions will be held at the House of Science and Hope (Puistokatu 4, Helsinki) and can also be followed on the Nessling Foundation’s YouTube channel. Participants can ask questions via the YouTube chat (requires logging in). A link to the session will be sent to those who have registered.
At the sessions, you will hear more about the theme of the funding call, as well as previous grant recipients’ experiences and tips for the application process.
Call us during specific service hours – we will not answer email inquiries
We do not respond to questions about the general funding call submitted by email. Our application helpline will answer questions about the general funding call between 13 and 29 August as follows:
- Mondays, 3-4 PM
- Tuesdays, 2-4 PM
- Wednesdays, 3-4 PM
- Thursdays, 2-4 PM
- Fridays, 3-4 PM
The helpline hours are intended especially for questions concerning the project budget and other practical matters.
During the helpline hours, you can call our Grant Specialist, Kristiina Takkinen: +358 50 502 7537
Book a personal sparring session
We offer personal advice from mid-August until the end of the application period. You can book a sparring time starting from 10 August 2026. The sparring sessions are always held by phone, with the Nessling Foundation staff calling the applicant. As session times are limited, please cancel your booking if you are unable to use it. Also read the instructions for making an application in advance.
You can reserve a sparring time for the following purposes:
- you want to discuss the project’s connection to the sustainability transformation
- you want to discuss the communications and interaction plan of the project, which is to be attached to your application
- you are applying for project funding for science-based action projects and want to discuss your project and application.
When booking a sparring session, decide in advance which of the above themes you would like to be advised on. One applicant can book one sparring session during the application period.
Check this page on 10 August to book your sparring session.
Check out the projects we have funded in the past
If you are wondering if your project would be suitable for funding by the Nessling Foundation, we recommend browsing the projects we have funded in the past. You can filter the list by funding year or search projects by keyword. Many of the projects we have funded have also been featured on our blog.
When will the funding decisions be published?
The governing board of the Nessling Foundation decides on the awarding of grants on the basis of an expert committee’s proposal. We explain our entire evaluation process in the article How does Nessling Foundation select projects for funding?
We will publish the 2026 grant recipients on our website in November 2026. Applicants will also be notified of the decision by e-mail.
We do not provide written feedback on the application decisions, but we offer feedback by phone in separately booked sessions after the decisions have been published. We open the booking calendar for feedback sessions on our website at the same time as we publish the projects that will receive funding.