Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology
The Foundation supports the scientific research and teaching at the Aalto University Schools of Technology (CHEM, ELEC, ENG, SCI) and Department of Architecture (ARTS). The Foundation awards grants for MSc and DSc theses on a continuous basis, with the help of industry-donated funds. - What's new: Doctoral student grants of Spring 2024 call have been awarded, see more in section Grants from the Foundation's own funds.
How does it work?
Companies donating to the Foundation can target specific fields of science. The donor submits the deed of gift to the Foundation and pays the gift sum. The Foundation directs the funds to the field of technology chosen by the donor: 80% as a thesis grant, 10% to the advising professor’s research area and 10% to the Foundation’s operations. The student makes a grant application. Since grant award decisions are made once a month, grant recipients can get their research underway without long delays.
What's in it for me?
Benefits for donating companies: An easy and low-cost way to participate in research. The donation is tax deductible.
Benefits for professors: Stronger supervision of thesis work is possible and funds for the discipline accumulate inside the Foundation. No overhead paid to the university.
Benefits for students: Easier to get funding for thesis writing. A way for students to prove their talents without being tied to the employment contract. The intellectual property rights are owned by the student, including the rights to software created, unless otherwise agreed. The grants are tax-free income provided their amount does not exceed that of the State Grant for Artists (26 269,46 eur in 2024).
Benefits for Aalto University: Wider societal impact. Master’s theses have industrial relevance. Greater contacts with companies.
Personal bequests, celebratory gifts and donations are also welcomed and the donor can choose which field to promote -- please contact the Foundation Office or see this page in Finnish.
Meeting times of the Foundation
The grant award decisions are made by the working committee of the Foundation Board, convening once a month during semesters, save for July. Please note our office is closed in July. The meeting dates of the working committee for spring term 2025 are:
28.1.2025
26.2.2025
19.3.2025
16.4.2025
Dates for May and June meetings will be confirmed in January.
The deed of gift and the grant application must be submitted to the Foundation office no later than one week before the meeting.
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology: Contact information
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology, c/o Annakaija Halonen, Otakaari 1, Room Y188a, FI-02150 ESPOO, FINLAND [email protected] tel. +358 50 400 9988
Foundation's grant application and deed of gift forms
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology awards grants for MSc and Doctoral theses. The grants awarded by the Foundation are mostly funded by Finnish industrial companies, who may direct their gift to the Foundation to be used for research in a field of technology of their choice.
Grants from the Foundation's own funds
Grants from the foundation's own funds for doctoral students and for research visits are normally awarded once each spring. Doctoral students in Aalto University's CHEM, ELEC, ENG and SCI schools are eligible to apply, as well as doctoral students in Department of Architecture at ARTS.
Personal donations to the Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology
Personal bequests, celebratory gifts and donations are also welcomed and the donor can choose which field to promote.
About the foundation
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology is a foundation established by Finnish industry in 1979. Its Board comprises representatives from Aalto University, Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK), Technology Industries of Finland (Teknologiateollisuus), Finnish Forest Industries (Metsäteollisuus), Confederation of Finnish Construction Industries RT (Rakennusteollisuus) and The Chemical Industry Federation of Finland (Kemianteollisuus).
