Frequently asked questions

When can you apply for a grant?

The Research Foundation declares the grants to be applied in August. The application deadline ends in early September.

Who can apply?

Grants are designated to support academic research for Finnish medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and natural sciences related to those, such as chemistry and physics according Orion Research Foundation’s rules

1. for researchers with a doctorate (completed in five years – or with an exception * in seven years), for continuation of research (maximum EUR 50,000) and
2. for young scientists without a doctorate, for scientific research (maximum
   EUR 5,000).

*) By completing the degree of specialist, specialized dentist or specialized veterinarian or for other special reasons (such as maternity, paternity, parental or nursing leave, conscript or non-military service or long-term sickness) applicant may extend the period of five years to maximum seven years. Applicant shall give clarification for surpassing the deadline of five years in CV.

My doctorate will be completed soon after the application deadline. Can I apply?

The exact day is considered from the application deadline. Therefore, you are not able to apply for a grant for researchers with a doctorate if your date of doctorate is later than the application deadline. However, you can apply for a grant for young scientists without a doctorate.

I have received a grant once. Can I apply again?

An applicant may receive a grant for researchers with a doctorate (maximum EUR 50,000) once and a grant for young scientists without a doctorate (maximum EUR 5,000) maximum twice.

When the Research Foundation will publish the decisions?

Grant recipients will receive an email in November and the decisions on grants will be published on the Research Foundation’s website.

I was awarded a grant. Is it possible to receive another grant elsewhere?

We will accept multiple grants at the same time if the grant is used according to the application or as agreed with the Foundation later.

There are changes in the use of my grant. What should I do?

The Research Foundation should be contacted (tutkimussaatio(at)orion.fi) if there are any changes in the use of the grant, for example, the amount of personal grant and grant period.

Can I work in a paid employment during a grant period?

Paid employment is not allowed during a grant period except the paid employment is part-time and grant work is part-time.

I need a certificate of my grant.

Certificates can be asked from the Research Foundation (tutkimussaatio(at)orion.fi).

When the grants are paid?

In the grant decision email, grant recipients are asked to inform their payment details by signing in the application system. The grants will be paid in December.

Can the grant be paid to two different bank accounts?

It is possible to pay the grant to two different bank accounts by contacting the Research Foundation (tutkimussaatio(at)orion.fi).

Is it possible to pay the grant later than in December?

All grants will be paid at the same time during December and unfortunately for that reason postpone is not possible. The grant announcement states that the grant will be paid at the end of this year.

Can the grant be paid through University or Research Institute?

Yes, the grant can be paid to University or Research Institute which pays salary to the grant recipient. In addition, we do not have any special regulations about University overhead charges, but we accept them.

Do grants count as taxable income?

The grants will be informed to tax authorities. More information on the Vero´s website.

Can the use of the grant be changed after the declarations? Do I have to report the Farmers' Social Insurance Institution (Mela) about the changes?

The use of the grant can be changed after the declarations (for example, the amount of personal grant). The changes can be done by contacting the Research Foundation. The Foundation will inform the Mela about the grants in December-January and grant recipients do not need to report Mela about the changes made before that.

Can I use an expenditure grant for living expenses?

In Finland, expenditure grants cannot be used for living expenses because living expenses are considered as personal grant. While working abroad, living expenses are considered as additional cost due to grant work and can be covered from an expenditure grant. The Research Foundation should be contacted before using expenditure grant for living expenses abroad.

When can I use the grant?

The grant is meant to be used during year awarded. However, part of the grant can be used during previous or next year. For example, grant awarded for year 2021 can be partly used in 2020 and 2022. The grant is meant to be used within two years of granting. The grant recipient has added in the application the timing and duration of the grant which can be changed by contacting the Research Foundation.

The Foundation does not award grants for retrospective use.

Can the grant period be changed or extended?

The possible changes to the grant period should be discussed with the Foundation.

My research plan has changed substantially since the grant was awarded. Can I use the awarded grant?

If the research plan changes substantially it can be evaluated again. The grant recipient should send a free-form explanation or updated research plan to the Research Foundation.

Do I have to report on the use of the grant?

You do not need to report about the use of the grant, but the Research Foundation requires that the grant is used according to the application or as agreed with the Foundation later. In case the research is leading for publications shall grant recipient mention the Foundation.

Can the grant be returned?

The grant can be returned. If you cannot use the grant as committed, the grant must be returned.

I was awarded a grant. Will I be eligible to reapply a grant if I do not accept it now?

Yes, grants can be applied in the following years if it is not accepted this year. However, this does not guarantee a grant, although it has once been granted.

Why I was not awarded a grant?

Orion Research Foundation receives over 700 applications yearly. Unfortunately, we are not able to award grants for every good applicant and we do not state reasons for single applications. Applications are evaluated between the grant applicants each year.