FSPS Call for Applications

Supporting scholars at risk around the world

Register for the information webinar for Finnish universities (28.09.2026) here

Universities apply, not scholars

FSPS funding is applied for by a Finnish university, for a named candidate, with an academic unit that is willing to host that person. Scholars cannot apply to FSPS directly.

In this call, applications with candidates in the humanities, social sciences and environmental sciences will be given priority in the evaluation, according to Kone Foundation's mission.

A scholar looking for a placement should contact a university department directly or apply to the Scholars at Risk Network for scholar at risk status. FSPS can assist candidates by identifying potential host academic units within the Finnish research network, which they may then contact directly.

The Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme (FSPS) is a national funding initiative designed to support scholars whose academic work or personal safety is threatened in their home countries. Through the scheme, scholar at risk can continue their work in a safe environment at Finnish higher education institutions. UniPID contributes to FSPS by coordinating the scheme, working closely with Finnish universities. The initiative runs between 2026-2030.

Eligibility

Three conditions must be met. If any of them is not met, the application cannot be funded.

1. The candidate is a scholar

A scholar is a person who holds a PhD or equivalent, and whose CV shows a publication and teaching history consistent with their academic age, meaning the number of years since the doctorate was awarded. Academic merit is assessed in the light of the circumstances the candidate has been working in. A thinner record is not held against a candidate whose ability to publish or teach has been restricted by the very situation that puts them at risk.

2. The candidate faces substantial risk

How risk is established depends on how severe it is. The scheme follows the Scholars at Risk guidance for prospective host institutions on assessing candidate risk. A qualifying risk is either ongoing now or, for a past event that forced the candidate to leave, happened within the last five years. Candidates who have been displaced from their home country for more than 5 years are not eligible.

Preliminary risk level	What is required	What to attach
Low or modest	The candidate applies to the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) for scholar at risk status or candidate/fellow status on the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund (IIE-SRF). The candidate becomes eligible only once SAR/SRF has awarded that status.	The SAR status decision OR The SRF status decision
Significant or severe	The host university may carry out the risk assessment itself, following the SAR guidance and documenting the ten-step procedure. The candidate is also recommended to apply for SAR/SRF status in parallel.	FSPS Risk Level Assessment Form OR The SAR status decision OR The SRF status decision
Immediate risk to life	Where the risk is extreme, a self-report of risk that is credible on both individual and contextual levels is the minimum criterion. The principles of the SAR guidance are followed as closely as possible.	FSPS Risk Level Assessment Form

(Holding SAR or SRF status confirms eligibility on that route, but it doesn't cap the candidate's risk classification the actual risk level may still be assessed as significant or severe.)

Applying for SAR/SRF status takes time. Universities considering a candidate on that route are advised to start before the call opens or consider scholars with existing status.

3. Funding and residence

• FSPS is intended to be the primary source of funding for the position. Other funding is declared in the application and eligibility is then considered case by case, in general the total amount of other funding may not exceed 30,000 EUR/year.
• The candidate may be in their home country, in a third country, or already in Finland. The current residence status and its validity are asked for in the application.

WHAT FUNDING COVERS

FSPS contribution	A maximum of 225,000 EUR is available to cover employment costs and, where applicable, relocation costs, divided over a three‑year period.
Duration	Three years by default. A shorter period is possible if the candidate wishes it, or if the Steering Committee decides so, but not shorter than 2.5 years.
Relocation	A one-off reimbursement against actual costs, up to 5 000 euro for a scholar arriving alone, or 8 000 euro where immediate household members come too
Covered by the university	Everything above the FSPS contribution: infrastructure, internal services, supervision, academic mentoring, and any higher salary level the university sets

By default, the applicant is expected to cover their living and housing expenses in Finland from their salary.

WHAT THE HOST UNIVERSITY UNDERTAKES

• An employment contract with the same rights, duties and salary-setting procedures as for its other employees. The University Salary System (YPJ) is expected to be applied.
• A supervisor acting as an academic host (esihenkilö), responsible for making sure the scholar receives the support they need.
• An academic mentor who is not part of the management of the scholar's position, acting as an advocate for the scholar. The academic mentor may come from outside the university, and any costs are borne by the host.
• A named contact person in the university administration, and support from international HR services in dealings with the authorities.
• Access to a peer support group. The scholar decides whether to take part.

CONFIDENTIALITY

A protected scholar is publicly identified as an at-risk scholar only with their express consent. Some scholars prefer not to be identified in this way, and that preference is respected. Applications contain sensitive personal data, are exchanged through secure channels, and are seen only by those who need them in order to assess the application.

TIMETABLE

Date	Stage
28 September 2026, 14.00 to 15.00	Information webinar for applicants, online
1 October 2026	Call opens
19 November 2026	Call closes
December 2026	Steering Committee decides and applicants are informed
March-September 2027	Employment periods begin

CALL DOCUMENTS

Published on this page when the call opens on 1 October.

• Guide to completing the application
• Frequently asked questions
• Application form
• FSPS Risk Level Assessment Form
• Researcher consent form for the processing of personal data

CONTACT

Interested? For more information please contact fsps(at)uef.fi.