On this page, you will find frequently asked questions about the general grant call. If you do not find an answer to your question here or in the general funding call guidelines, we will answer questions related to the application, project budget, and other practical matters during our phone service hours while the call is open. Unfortunately, we do not respond to questions about the general funding call sent by email.
Doctoral thesis and postdoc projects
When are the funding decisions made? The decisions about the general funding call are announced in November.We will notify applicants who received funding by phone and others by email. The funded projects will also be published on our website.
What is the earliest and latest date on which a project can start? The project must start during the calendar year following the application year. Projects that receive funding in the 2026 general call may start no earlier than 1 January 2027 and no later than 1 December 2027.
My research area is x/y/z. Does the Nessling Foundation fund this research field? We can fund any area of research if the research project in question contributes to the sustainability transformation that protects natural systems, and is grounded in strong sustainability. Read here what kind of research and action we support in the general grant call. You can also see the previous funding decisions for reference.
Which research fields are stressed in the call? We do not prioritise or exclude any fields of research in the general call. All disciplines are needed and must work together to promote the sustainability transformation.
My project focuses on a theme not related to Finland and/or the project data will be collected outside Finland, can I apply? Projects with global themes are welcome to apply, but please note that the project must have a link to Finland. This requirement is met if: 1) the applicant is a Finnish citizen applying for doctoral or postdoctoral funding for work carried out either in Finland or abroad or 2) the applicant is not a Finnish citizen but is affiliated with a Finnish research organisation. In addition to this affiliation, applicants who are not Finnish citizens must either reside in Finland or carry out the work in Finland.
Can I apply for funding for doctoral thesis or postdoc research carried out at a research organisation outside Finland? Does the affiliation need to be to a Finnish university? A Finnish citizen may apply for doctoral or postdoctoral funding for work carried out at a university abroad. However, if the applicant is not a Finnish citizen, they must be affiliated with a Finnish research organisation. In addition, they must either reside in Finland or carry out the work in Finland.
What does affiliation with a Finnish research organisation mean? Does there need to be an agreement? Affiliation with a research organisation means that you have agreed with the organisation in question that you will carry out your research there. The commitment form required as an attachment to the application serves as evidence that the affiliation has been agreed with the research organisation.
I am part of a research group; can I apply and what should I stress in the application? You can apply for a personal grant for doctoral thesis or postdoc research as part of a research group. The application should focus on your specific contribution to the project. Please also briefly describe the overall goals of the project to provide broader context.
What is the communications and interaction plan required in the application, and why is it mandatory? We expect the researchers we fund to engage actively with society, because research that advances sustainability transformation is developed in interaction with society. In the communications and interaction plan, applicants describe the societal relevance of their project, who the research affects or aims to reach, and how the research will be communicated clearly and accessibly to different audiences.When making funding decisions, the reviewers pay particular attention to the quality and feasibility of the communications and interaction plan.
What kind of communication and interaction is expected from doctoral and postdoc researchers? We do not prioritise any specific forms of communication or interaction in the evaluation. What matters is that you identify the methods that are best suited to your research and goals, that they are realistic, and that they support the impact of your project. You can find additional guidance, helpful questions, and links to further information in the Communication and interaction plan section of the application instructions.
Can the budget include travel costs, analysis services, or communication expenses? In addition to the personal grant, you may apply for funding to cover travel expenses, analytical services, equipment, other research-related tools, communication and interaction, as well as potentially other costs. The purpose and target of the requested funding must be described precisely in the “Costs breakdown” section of the budget. Please note that the budget cannot include commuting costs between home and workplace, the purchase of a standard laptop, or office space.
Is there an upper limit for other costs to be included in the budget, such as travel or research costs? No upper limit has been set for costs applied for in addition to the personal grant. However, these costs must be well justified, support the implementation of the project, and be reasonable in amount. Open access costs may be awarded up to €3,000.
Can I apply separately for funding for travel, research equipment or other expenses in the general call? No. Other expenses cannot be applied for separately. If you are applying for funding for a doctoral or postdoc project, you may apply for other expenses on top of the personal grant.
What is the overhead cost that may be included in the project budget? The research organisation may require an overhead contribution to cover costs arising from the administration of the project. We may award overheads up to a maximum of 15 per cent of the project’s other costs, excluding the personal grant. Please check whether the research organisation where your research will be carried out requires overheads. If it does, include it in the budget.
Does the Nessling Foundation have travel guidelines? Yes, the Nessling Foundation has travel guidelines which form part of the Guidelines for Sustainable Practices. Please follow these guidelines when budgeting any travel expenses.
Can an individual applicant submit more than one application if the applications concern different topics? No. The same person may submit only one application in the general funding call. This means that the same person cannot, for example, apply for funding for two different postdoc projects, or apply for funding for a doctoral or postdoctoral project while also serving as the responsible leader of a science-based action project.
Can I apply for doctoral thesis or postdoc funding and also be involved in a project applying for funding as a science-based action project? Yes, this is possible. Please note, however, that the same person may submit only one application in the general call. This means that the same person cannot apply for a doctoral or postdoc funding and also act as the responsible leader of a science-based action project.It is also important to consider that the projects may compete with each other. This may be the case if the person works full-time in the action project. If the person’s role in the action project is more limited, this will not usually create a conflict.
I have not yet been granted a permission to defend my doctoral dissertation at the time of application. Can I still apply for postdoctoral funding? Yes. You may apply for the grant even if you have not yet completed your doctoral degree. However, the permission to defend must be submitted to the Nessling Foundation by 6 November 2026.
Science-based action projects
Who can apply for action project funding? Funding for action projects may be applied for by Finnish organisations with a Business ID. The applicant may therefore be, for example, an association, foundation, company or cooperative. We award funding for action projects only to organisations, not to working groups or private individuals.
What kind of actions does the Nessling Foundation particularly value and encourage in the dissemination of scientific knowledge? We do not prioritise any specific forms of action. The starting point for science-based action projects is societal impact and promoting a sustainability transformation that protects natural systems. What matters is that the project has clearly defined its own goal and chosen the methods of action(s) that best support achieving that goal.
What kinds of stakeholders are considered important for ensuring the project’s impact? We do not prioritise certain stakeholders over others. The starting point for science-based action projects is societal impact and promoting a sustainability transformation that protects natural systems. What matters is that the project has clearly defined its own goal and chosen the methods of action(s) and stakeholders that best support achieving that goal.
What does it mean in practice that science-based action projects must be based on scientific knowledge? Science-based action projects do not involve conducting research themselves, but they must be grounded in scientific knowledge. A project is considered to be science-based when its content, objectives, or implementation rely on previously produced, peer-reviewed, and documented scientific knowledge. This knowledge can guide the project’s planning, form the foundation of its content, or be reflected in its implementation (for example, through collaboration with researchers) and in its impact goals. The list of references included in the project plan should also demonstrate the scientific basis of the project.
Can the project’s target area be outside Finland? Or can the project participants be based outside Finland if the applicant is a Finnish organisation? The project’s target area may be outside Finland, provided that the applicant is a Finnish organisation with a Finnish Business ID. The applicant organisation is responsible for fulfilling all statutory employer obligations for everyone working on the project and must also take into account any international obligations that may apply. The Nessling Foundation does not provide advice on these matters.
Can a science-based action project include data collection for research purposes or conduct evaluation or other research during the project? We do not fund research projects in the general funding call. Science-based action projects can vary greatly, so there is no one-size-fits-all answer. As a general rule, the majority of the project’s work and the funding from the Nessling Foundation must be directed toward action, not research. Any research-related component must play only a very minor role within the project or be carried out after the Nessling-funded project has ended.
Can I apply for funding for a project lasting longer than one year? From 2026 onwards, action projects may receive funding for up to two years.The same applicant may, however, apply to us for funding again once the previous project funded by the Nessling Foundation has ended and its final report has been submitted by the end of July preceding the application period.
Can a company sell a product developed during the project after the project has ended? No. Materials produced during the project must be made openly available. As a non-profit foundation, we cannot support the development of business activities.