Advance information on RCF call schedules for autumn 2026

In autumn 2026, the Research Council of Finland (RCF) will open a number of significant funding calls in support of high-quality research, research careers and research and development with societal impact. We have compiled preliminary information on the call schedules and application deadlines so that applicants and research organisations can start preparations in good time.

Funding to strengthen R&D activities and cooperation in wellbeing services counties

• Call text to be published on 20 Aug 2026
• Call opens on 21 Oct and closes on 18 Nov 2026 (TBC).
• Call info for potential applicants in August during week 35
• The schedule supports consortium preparations. This is the second round of RCF funding to strengthen R&D in wellbeing services counties.

Academy Project and Academy Research Fellowship funding

• Call schedules follow last year’s schedules
• Call texts to be published on 24 Sep 2026
• Calls open on 14 Oct and close on 11 Nov 2026 (TBC).
• In early 2026, the RCF launched a project to reform the Academy Project funding scheme. Learn more about the project in our blog post. More information on the reform will be available in June.

Academy Programme for Sport Science and Physical Activity

• Call text to be published on 1 Oct 2026
• Call opens on 21 Oct and closes on 18 Nov 2026 (TBC).

Strategic research programmes

• The timing of the calls to be implemented under the Strategic Research Council's (SRC) new strategic research programmes depends on the Finnish Government’s decision-making schedule.
• The SRC will submit the theme proposal for the new programmes to the Government in June. If the Government’s schedule follows previous years, the aim is to publish the calls for letters of intent in October 2026 and to open the calls in November 2026.

All call texts will be published on the RCF’s website on the dates stated. More detailed instructions and the review criteria are provided in the call documents.

Introduction of new government grant service to bring changes to timing of funding calls

The funding decisions for the calls opening in autumn 2026 will be made in May or early June 2027. The second stage of the SRC's calls will also have been completed by then.

The timetable for calls to be organised in 2026 and 2027 will be significantly defined by the RCF’s transition to a joint government grant information system from September 2027 onwards. The timing of the introduction of the new service means that some funding calls previously opened in spring will, as of from September 2027, be implemented using the new service. The RCF will provide information on the timing and implementation of these calls as early as possible in early 2027. The final funding decisions will be made before mid-June 2027, so that the sites of research can accept the funding before the RCF's current online services are discontinued.

Researchers and research organisations will be informed about the introduction and use of the new service. The RCF will organise info sessions about the new system in spring 2027.

Follow our website for updates

The call schedules may be specified, for example, as a result of with budget decisions and the introduction of the government grant service. In addition, funding calls implemented in international cooperation will be announced separately. The most up-to-date information on funding calls, application conditions and deadlines can be found on the RCF website when the call texts are published: www.aka.fi/apply.