Call for graduate school applications 2010–2013

The call for graduate school applications is now announced for the ninth time. The Ministry of Education has delegated the call and decision-making to the Academy of Finland.

Applications are invited for some 900 graduate school positions and 20 coordinator positions as well as for graduate school operating grants covering the four-year term from 2010 to 2013. Applications will be considered for graduate school positions to establish new graduate schools as well as for the continuation, amalgamation or extension of existing graduate schools. Operating grants are awarded for organising doctoral programme courses, national and international cooperation as well as other activities (the former call for support to graduate schools). Existing graduate schools that have graduate school positions for the 2010–2011 term shall apply for operating grants under this call.

The primary criterion used in assessing graduate school applications is the quality of operations as demonstrated in the application. This applies both to the instruction and supervision provided at the school and to administration. Graduate schools are expected to show an active and systematic approach to national and international cooperation. Cooperation with other graduate schools is particularly valued. Another important consideration in assessing applications is the need for PhDs in the field represented by the graduate school. For this reason, the action plan attached to the application shall include a well-documented assessment of the need for PhDs in the private, public and higher education sectors in the field concerned. The application shall also include a plan for the graduate school’s national and international cooperation.

Researcher training provided at graduate schools shall tie in closely with universities’ own or common strong areas of research, Centres of Excellence in research, or existing research networks, and ideally graduate schools shall support universities’ profile and strategy. In particular, the aim is to encourage a networking approach to graduate school operations.

It is recommended that graduate schools should have full-time doctoral students who are funded from other sources as well. Further steps are needed to intensify cooperation between universities, research institutes and business and industry. Graduate schools should recruit both female and male doctoral students. Graduate school positions are awarded to doctoral students for the full funding term.

The Academy of Finland shall review and assess the general operation of graduate schools as well as the quality and rigour of their training and education. In the case of applications for extended funding, evaluations shall also be conducted to assess the school’s performance and effectiveness, its working methods and the good practices of PhD training provision.

The Academy of Finland shall make its decisions on graduate school positions, coordinator positions and operating grants in early 2009. The Ministry of Education and universities shall decide on the total costs of graduate school positions as specified in the Academy’s decision in their mutual performance agreements in 2009. Each university shall be responsible for ensuring that the pay of doctoral students is compatible with the university’s wage scheme.

Graduate school applications are called every other year, with roughly the same number of graduate school positions declared open. The next call will be announced in 2010, when applications will be invited for at least 700 graduate school positions and operating grants for the 2012–2015 term.

Appendices to the application
1. University prioritisation letter. A list compiled and signed by a university representative that provides a classification of graduate schools complete with explanations, giving due consideration to the university strategy, profile, PhD need and the characteristics of networked graduate schools.
2. An action plan for the 2010–2013 term no more than 12 pages in length, arranged according to the given subheadings.
3. Tabular summary detailing the graduate school’s upcoming courses as well as international, national and other activities for each year in the funding term and the funding applied for.
4. Curriculum vitae for the responsible director of graduate school, max. 4 pages.
5. List of publications for the responsible director of graduate school.
6. Summary tables of Activity Reports for 2006–2007 shall be completed using the forms supplied (required of current graduate schools).
7. Activity Report for 2006–2007 arranged according to the given subheadings (required of current graduate schools).

No other appendices shall be appended to the application than those specified, and they shall comply with the Academy’s guidelines; see www.aka.fi/eng > For researchers > How to apply > Appendices > Appendices to graduate school application.

Applications procedure

Applications to the Academy shall be submitted by the responsible director of the graduate school. A prioritisation letter delivered by the host university to the responsible director shall be attached to the application. In addition, the application shall be signed by an authorised signatory for the host university. The signature is provided via a special function through the Academy’s online services (Commitment of the site of research).

The applications procedure follows the Academy’s general guidelines for all calls as applicable. Full guidelines are provided on the Academy website at www.aka.fi/eng > For researchers > How to apply > Guidelines > General guidelines applicable to all calls. In contrast to these guidelines, applicants are requested to submit their application and appendices in the Finnish, Swedish or English language.

Applications can be filled and submitted in the Academy’s online services from May 2, 2008 through to the deadline on August 29, 2008. The application deadline is strict.

The application form is filled at www.aka.fi/eng > For researchers > Log in to online services. Log in and select New application >Call for graduate school applications.

Further information
- www.aka.fi/eng > For researchers> Funding opportunities, Graduate Schools
- Tiina Petänen tel. (09) 7748 8263 and Kata-Riina Valosaari tel. +(09) 7748 8216 (Biosciences and Environment Research Unit), BY_tutkijakoulut@aka.fi
- Helena Vänskä (Culture and Society Research Unit), tel. (09) 7748 8227, KY_tutkijakoulut@aka.fi
- Sanna Carlsson (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Unit), tel. (09) 7748 8298, LT_tutkijakoulut@aka.fi
- Aki Salo (Health Research Unit), tel. (09) 7748 8244, TT_tutkijakoulut@aka.fi

Last changed 19/06/2008