How to begin using the funding

How do you begin using the funding granted by the Research Council of Finland?

The funding decision and the related funding terms and conditions can be found in the Research Council's online services. A copy of the decision has been delivered to your research organisation or site of research. This is the university, research institute or equivalent that has signed the commitment by the site of research. The site manages the project’s funding and opens an account for the project in the necessary information systems. Invoices etc. related to the project are managed at the site of research. Please contact the personnel of your own institution, faculty or other research services at the site of research for further guidance.

The decision number is mentioned in the upper right corner of the decision notification. The decision reads: “The Scientific Council for [X] has decided to fund your application. The funding will be granted to the following organisation: [university].”

The PI and of the site of research must give a confirmation of receipt

The site of research of the PI receives and administers the funding granted by the Research Council. Before the funds can be paid, the PI and the site of research (first the PI, then the site of research) must confirm that they will accept the funding. This must be done via the Research Council's online services within eight weeks of the decision date, unless otherwise stated in the special conditions of the decision notification.

Decision notification, review reports and accepting funding (PDF)

The funding has been granted for personal salary (Academy Professor, Academy Research Fellow, Postdoctoral Researcher). Who is the employer? How is the salary paid?

The employer is the site of research that issued a commitment to the application. The funding recipient is employed by this site of research or research organisation. The site of research pays the salary and handles all matters related to the employment. The Research Council of Finland funds the research but does not employ the funding recipient.

The research project wants to hire staff with the granted funding. How should they proceed?

The site of research manages the project’s funding. Please contact the personnel of your own institution, faculty or other research services at the site of research for further guidance. Recruitment and HR management are handled in cooperation with the site of research. The personnel must be employed and their salaries paid by the site of research. As a rule, employment relationships shall comply with the terms and conditions and instructions of the site of research. If there are any conflicts, they will be resolved according to the Research Council's funding terms and conditions relevant to the decision.

How will the practical arrangements for a conference trip/research visit abroad be managed? Who uses the project’s funding to pay the travel expenses bill?

The site of research manages the project’s funding. Please contact the personnel of your own institution, faculty or other research services at the site of research for further guidance. The travel policies and instructions of the site of research will be followed. Request the necessary travel order from the site and remember to see to your insurance coverage. The Research Council of Finland does not handle practical matters related to travel on your behalf.

Where can I find further information on the use of funding?

The site of research manages the project’s funding. Please primarily contact the personnel of your own institution, faculty or other research services at the site of research for further guidance. Also read the terms and conditions attached to the funding decision, which you can find in the Research Council of Finland's online services.

The decision number is mentioned in the upper right corner of the decision notification. The decision reads: “The Scientific Council for [X] has decided to fund your application. The funding will be granted to the following organisation: [university].”

The divisions at the Research Council Administration Office that correspond to the decision-makers are responsible for issues concerning project administration.

Divisions responsible for research funding

  • Division of Biosciences, Health and Environmental Research
  • Division of Social Sciences and Humanities Research
  • Division of Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
  • Division of Strategic Research
  • Division of Research Funding Development
  • Division of Research Environments

Check the decision for which Council decided on your application. You can also check the decision-maker in the upper left corner of the decision notification. There is a corresponding Division for each decision-maker at the Research Council.

How can I ask the Research Council a question?

If you know your corresponding division at the Research Council, you can send your questions to the division with the Questions and feedback form on the Research Council's website.

Choose the division from the menu in accordance with the funding decision.

If you do not know your division, you can send the question to the Research Council's Registrar’s Office by email at kirjaamo@aka.fi. The Registrar’s Office will direct the questions to the correct division.

The presenting official who signed the decision notification can provide further information

The decision notification is signed by a science adviser who acted as the presenting official, a senior science adviser, a programme manager or a corresponding official of the Research Council of Finland. The presenting official is familiar with the application and can assist in administrative matters concerning the Research Council that your site of research cannot answer. The presenting official usually works in the division that is mentioned in the decision. If the presenting official indicated in the decision does not manage your decision, another responsible person has been appointed for the decision from the same division. Our email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname(at)aka.fi.

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Can I apply for changes in the funding decision?

See further information and instructions in the funding terms and conditions attached to the funding decision and their Appendix 1: Changes to funding decisions. The application to change the funding decision, or the appeal, is submitted in the online services, where you will also find the decision and the funding terms and conditions concerned. If you need further support, please contact the responsible party and/or the presenting official indicated in the decision notification. Our email addresses are in the format firstname.lastname(at)aka.fi.

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