The Academy Research Fellowship is the Research Council of Finland (RCF) four-year funding for early-career researchers on fast career tracks, open to all research fields.
Fellows lead their own project at a Finnish university or research institute, aiming to be ready for leading research positions by the end of the term.
Benefits & funding
- Up to €700,000 for four years (1 Sep 2027–31 Aug 2031), covering your own salary, a possible team’s salaries, travel and other research costs.
- RCF pays up to 70% of total costs; the host covers at least 30% and offers a full-time job for the whole period.
- Funds depend on Finland’s 2027 state budget.
- Option of 1–2 years at the EUI (one fellow at a time) or visits to IIASA.
Eligibility
- First doctoral degree certificate dated 1 Jan 2020–31 Dec 2024; an older PhD counts only for career breaks such as parental leave, care of a child under 3, military or non-military service, or long-term illness.
- No permanent senior post (professor, assistant/associate professor, research director); fixed-term tenure-track staff may apply.
- A Finnish site of research hosts the project; you need a close connection to Finland and must work mainly there.
- No nationality rule is stated.
- Current four-year Fellows only in their last year; past five-year Fellows are barred. One winter-call application per person across Academy Project and Fellowship funding.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“In the present call, the funding may be applied for by a researcher whose first doctoral degree certificate is dated between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2024. … The funding is granted to a Finnish site of research (usually a university or research institute) through which the funding is paid. … The PI of the funded project must have a close connection with Finland during the whole funding period.” Eligibility
Education required
PhD
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1Agree the host’s co-funding share with your organisation before submitting.
- 2Apply in the RCF online services (SARA) by 11 Nov 2026, 23:59 Finnish time, preferably in English, on the RCF templates.
- 3Choose one review panel in the form.
- 4The host must commit to the application within 14 days of closing, or it may be inadmissible.
Program timeline
Call opens
14 Oct 2026
Application deadline
11 Nov 2026, 23:59 Finnish time
Within 14 days of closing
Host commitment due
Decisions
June 2027
Funding period
1 Sep 2027–31 Aug 2031