Fulbright Finland

05/10/2026

Happy World Teachers’ Day!

In celebration of the World Teachers’ Day, the Finnish Fulbright teacher exchange participants reflect on their experiences in the U.S.

“It has been inspiring to realize that good teaching crosses borders. Despite differences in education systems and cultures, teachers around the world share many of the same goals, challenges, and values. Connecting with teachers from different countries and exchanging ideas and practices has been one of the most valuable parts of this experience,” says Eveliina Paunonen.

“A teacher’s identity is that of a lifelong learner. I learn a great deal every single day! It is truly exciting to see how transatlantic exchange opens up the entire global educational landscape for examination and development,” says Anna Aaltonen.

Stay tuned for the next application period of the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching program! 🧑‍🏫

📸 : Finnish teachers Eveliina Paunonen (first photo: back row, second from the left) and Anna Aaltonen (second photo: on the right) with their fellow Fulbright Teacher grantees.

Fulbright Teacher Exchanges

27/08/2026

The Friends of Fulbright Finland (FoFF) Alumni Enrichment Award enabled alum Thomas O'Connell to return to Finland for a month to continue his collaboration with colleagues in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä, building on work that began in 2023. During his visit, he taught data analysis and visualizations skills, sharing practical skills that will continue to benefit students and researchers.

The visit also provided him with opportunities to experience Finland beyond the university. Thomas visited the Arctic Circle, learned about the history and culture of the Indigenous Sámi people at the Arktikum Science Museum, and experienced the midnight sun. A highlight of his visit was celebrating Midsummer at Seurasaari in Helsinki, where traditional music, dancing, and bonfires offered a memorable glimpse into one of Finland's most cherished traditions.

To capture his visit, Thomas designed photomosaics that weave together images from his teaching, research, and travels - reflecting how the grant period connected people, ideas, and cultural opportunities in meaningful and lasting ways.

⭐ U.S. alumni, apply now for the FoFF Alumni Enrichment Award to continue your collaboration with your host organization in Finland! Find out more and submit your application by October 22: https://www.fulbright.fi/join-fulbright-finland-alumni-community/opportunities-alumni-us/friends-fulbright-finland/friends-fulbright-finland-foff-alumni-enrichment-award

26/08/2026

Tervetuloa Suomeen, welcome to Finland! 💙

During the Arrival Orientation week on August 17-20, the newly arrived U.S. Fulbright Finland scholars and students learned about Finnish culture and history, language, economy, society, as well as education and research. And of course, it wouldn't be a Fulbright Finland orientation without an introduction to sauna!

Orientation is an essential part of the Fulbright Finland experience. All grantees are given factual information in advance through orientation modules with pre-assignments, the web-based guide, and online meetings. The on-site orientation then brings everyone together, connecting grantees with each other, the Foundation's networks, and key partners and leaders from education and society.

During the week, the grantees met Fulbright Finland alumni, representatives from Finnish higher education institutions, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, as well as Finnish research and cultural institutions through interactive orientation sessions.

The program also included a special networking reception hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Helsinki honoring the U.S.-Finnish exchanges and the 80th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program. In addition, a Welcome Event at the Sibelius Upper Secondary School, hosted by the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association, brought together grantees and alumni to enjoy beautiful musical performances by the school's students and network with one another.

Thank you to our alumni, partners, and the grantees for a successful orientation week!

12/08/2026

Finnish researchers, there is still time to apply for a Fulbright grant to the United States!

Advance your research, establish international collaborations, and take the next step in your academic career through the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program.

The 2027-28 competition is open for Finnish researchers at different career stages:

🔹 ASLA-Fulbright Pre-Doctoral Research Fellows Program:
For doctoral researchers conducting pre-doctoral research at a U.S. university or research institution for 4-12 months.
🔹 ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Junior Scholars:
For researchers who have completed their doctoral degree within the past four years and wish to carry out a research project in the U.S. for 3-12 months.
🔹 Fulbright Research Grant in Partnership with the Nokia Foundation:
For postdoctoral researchers in ICT-related fields undertaking a research visit at a U.S. host institution.
🔹 Fulbright-KAUTE Foundation Award:
For doctoral students and early-career postdoctoral researchers in the fields of business, economics, and technology.
🔹 ASLA-Fulbright Research Grants for Senior Scholars:
For established scholars who completed their doctoral degree more than four years ago and wish to conduct research at a U.S. university or research institution for 3-12 months.

👉 Read more and apply by October 1, 2026: https://www.fulbright.fi/about-us/events/deadline-scholar-programs-finnish-researchers

07/08/2026

New ideas for your field from the U.S. through the ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Program!

“My grant period provided not only new methods, but also new directions of thinking about STEM education.” – Tarja Kariola, MCPD alumna

Appy for the ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development grant program to grow professionally, learn to think outside the box, and develop personally! Fulbright Finland grantees get a unique chance to create connections and networks that continue to deliver value long into the future.

Read alumna Tarja’s article on her grant experience at
https://www.fulbright.fi/news-magazine/hemlocks-to-high-school-labs-new-ideas-shaping-science-education and apply to the program for the academic year 2027-28 by October 1, 2026! 👉 https://www.fulbright.fi/professional-grants/mid-career-professional-development-grant-FIN

What makes a science lesson truly stick? During my three-month fellowship at Clemson University Science Outreach Center in South Carolina, I found an answer in an unexpected place: a dying tree species. One particular learning experience gave me new, important ideas on how I think about designing sc...

02/07/2026

We send you our best wishes for the summer season! ☀️

The Fulbright Finland Foundation office will be closed on July 3-24, 2026.

https://www.fulbright.fi/about-us/news-releases/summer-greetings-fulbright-finland-foundation

29/06/2026

U.S. Alumni, Apply for an Alumni Award!
Thinking about returning to Finland to take your collaborations further? The Friends of Fulbright Finland Alumni Enrichment Award for 2027 is now open for applications.

The FoFF Alumni Enrichment Award is a program for the alumni, by the alumni. It is funded by the FoFF Alumni Enrichment Fund created by donations from the Foundation's U.S. alumni. Read more and apply by October 22, 2026: https://www.fulbright.fi/foff-award

24/06/2026

The Fulbright Finland Foundation team had the pleasure of welcoming many grantees and alumni to our office these past few weeks! It’s been exciting to learn about their projects and collaboration with their Finnish colleagues.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us Fulbright Specialist Christopher Saffron and host Janne Jänis, Julie Newmark and the family, Cheryl J. Fish, Leah Beeferman, Tom O'Connell and Aidan!

18/06/2026

In May, Fulbright Finland alumni from every decade since the 1970s came together to reconnect and celebrate the continued success and impact of Finnish–U.S. exchanges.

Each year, numerous U.S. alumni return to Finland from across the Atlantic, to what they often describe as their “second home.” To bring them together with alumni and grantees based in Finland, the Fulbright Finland Foundation, in collaboration with volunteers from the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association Board, organized a Homecoming Alumni Event. The gathering offered a chance to revisit shared experiences while building new connections across generations of Fulbrighters.

The Homecoming was particularly special as it coincided with several major milestones. This year is the 80th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program, and we also celebrated 50 years of the Fulbright Bicentennial Chair in North American Studies – the oldest Fulbright Distinguished Chair worldwide. It was wonderful to welcome fifteen former Bicentennial Chairs from the U.S. to the event!

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Read more about the event in the latest Fulbright Finland News magazine: https://www.fulbright.fi/news-magazine/homecoming

Photos: Studio Terho Photography

17/06/2026

Enjoy the latest issue of the Fulbright Finland News Magazine!

Our visiting columnist, Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto highlights Finland’s strengths in technology, research, and engineering talent. He emphasizes that international research collaboration and academic exchange create lasting value, and underscores Fulbright Finland’s role in expanding opportunities for Finnish researchers to work with U.S. partners, including in fields where Finland is a global leader.

In our Alumni in Focus series, Civil Engineer Erika Holt reflects on her career path from concrete durability research to global nuclear waste management, and on Fulbright’s role in building the connections that make long-term collaboration possible.

Topics in this issue also include:
⭐️ Shared Vision for Global Education - Strengthening the partnership between Indiana University Indianapolis and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
⭐️ From Hemlocks to High School Labs: New Ideas Shaping Science Education
⭐️ The Human Advantage in the Age of AI
⭐️ Learning from Finland’s Approach to Nuclear Waste
⭐️ Homecoming - Fulbright Finland alumni got together to celebrate the continued success and impact of Finnish–U.S. exchanges.

And much more!

Read the magazine online: https://www.fulbright.fi/fulbright-finland-news-issues