Dear Academy Research Fellow applicant,

The Academy of Finland previously had three funding opportunities for early-career researchers: funding for research post as Postdoctoral Researcher, funding for research post as Academy Research Fellow and Academy Project funding targeted at early-career researchers. These three funding opportunities will no longer be opened for application. Instead, the Academy will launch a new Academy Research Fellowships scheme as of autumn 2022.

A new Academy Research Fellowship supports early-career researchers on fast career tracks. The aim is to enable the Academy Research Fellow to make significant career progress towards more demanding research positions and achieve an established position in the national and international research community. The Academy Research Fellowship provides funding for four years. Funds can be made available for payment of the researcher’s salary and other costs associated with implementation of the research plan. Call text will be published in early June and the application period will open end of August. Deadline for applications is 28th September.

Eligibility criteria for Academy Research Fellowship 2022

* Researchers who have completed their first doctorate at least two but no more than nine years ago (between 30.9.2013−30.9.2020). * Not be granted to persons holding a permanent, senior research position or comparable position. These include positions as professor, assistant/associate professor or research director. * Person who have received Academy of Finland funding for a research post as Postdoctoral Researcher may be granted an Academy Research Fellowship during the last year of the Postdoctoral Researcher funding period if the funding periods do not overlap. * Person who has received the current funding for a research post as Academy Research Fellow will not be eligible for the new Academy Research Fellowship.

Support Services for applicants

The Research and Project Services will offer support for researchers applying the new Academy Research Fellowhttps://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-funding/academy-research-fellow-reform/ funding by offering several workshops and commenting rounds for your application (see attached).

We’ll start our support process with Abstract workshop The first workshop (7.6.) is an introduction to the Academy’s abstract requirements. During the following week you will draft your abstract (7.-13.6.) and share it with some colleagues. The week after that (13.-20.6.) you will join in the peer commenting round and get helpful ideas for your text. All abstracts are drafts and not final versions! In the final session on the 20 of June, we can discuss any issues that may have risen during the process and plan ahead for August.

7.6. at 1-2 pm What is required from the abstract for an Academy application? Maarit Jokela, University Innovation Centre

Instructions and next steps 20.6. at 1-2 pm Now you have an abstract, how to proceed with your application?

REGISTER by 6.6 at https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/26554ABE6581F6BF The links to the events will be sent via email to all registered individuals

You are warmly welcome to join!

Please note also Academy of Finland Ask&Apply webinars in June:

Mon 13 June at 13.00–14.00: New Academy Research Fellowships Link for the participationhttps://aka.zoom.us/j/61391054704

Tue 14 June at 13.00–14.30: How to demonstrate your qualifications in the new Academy Research Fellowships scheme (workshop) Note! Preregistration required by 9.6.2022 at https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/How_to_demonstrate_your_qualifications_in_the_new_A....https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/How_to_demonstrate_your_qualifications_in_the_new_Academy_Research_Fellowships_scheme_workshop_3590

Thu 16 June at 13.00–14.00: Tips for a good application Link for the participationhttps://aka.zoom.us/j/66546894035

Best regards, Päivi