Entries open for Dissertation Grants (Finland)
Section
The Cancer Foundation is pleased to announce its applications for Dissertation Grants to support researchers in the final stages of their doctoral work in Finland.
Aims: The strategy is aimed at promoting a good quality of life for patients and their loved ones despite cancer, strengthening fairness and effectiveness in cancer diagnostics and treatment, and strengthening cancer research and expertise. The scientific quality and feasibility of the research protocol, the applicant’s scientific merits and the project’s relevance to cancer research, with a clear connection to cancer or cancer prevention, detection, treatment or rehabilitation.
The Cancer Foundation Finland implements the shared strategy of the Cancer Society of Finland, aimed at promoting a good quality of life for patients and their loved ones despite cancer, strengthening fairness and effectiveness in cancer diagnostics and treatment, and strengthening cancer research and expertise. Applications for grants opening in autumn 2025 are submitted via the Cancer Foundation Finland’s electronic grant application system between 2 June and 20 August 2025, and late or incomplete applications will be rejected. Only one application per individual will be considered, and dissertation grants are awarded only once to the same person.
Dissertation grants are meant for researchers whose dissertation work is already well advanced and support research conducted in Finland. Research and product development projects at companies are not eligible for funding, and teams funded by the tobacco industry are excluded.
Applications are completed in English. The protocol must clearly indicate the purpose of the grant, as a general description of the research area does not suffice. Award decisions are made by the Board based on recommendations from the Grants Committee, and the results will be announced in November 2025. A requirement for awarding the grant is that the researcher has properly reported and accounted for previous grants if applicable.
In 2025, the dissertation grant amounts to 4000 euros. It will not be awarded if the applicant’s doctoral dissertation is approved before the application deadline passes. Applicants classify their field of research as either basic research or clinical research (including epidemiological research), and the application may be transferred to another category to facilitate expert review.
Appendices to the application include a research protocol of no more than three pages, including references, with a font size of at least 12 pt, structured as follows: background; research objective; research implementation and methods; schedule; division of labour among research team members; basis for cost estimate; ethical considerations; and impact of research. Also required is a list of publications by the applicant; they must have been printed or published electronically, and may be “in press” if approved, but “submitted” does not count. Only publications included in the dissertation are to be entered on the form, with a complete list appended.
After the award decision, applicants submit payment details and any relevant affiliations in the system. Dissertation grants are paid in January 2026, and any grants without sufficient payment details will be returned to the Cancer Foundation Finland after one year unless other arrangements are made.
Grantees are subject to social security obligations: the Cancer Foundation notifies Mela when the grant period exceeds four months and the amount is at least 1534 euros, and grantees working under these conditions must take out social security insurance. The Cancer Foundation Finland also notifies the Finnish Tax Administration of the grant amount and the grantee’s personal data, requiring the grantee’s Finnish personal identity code.
Dissertation grants do not require financial accounts. Reporting takes the form of sending a permanent link to the doctoral dissertation by email once approved and published.
