The Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme will soon open the call for proposals for universities to co-fund and host scholars at risk

The Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme (FSPS) has been established as a national initiative that strengthens Finland’s ability to support scholars at risk, enables them to continue their academic careers in a safe academic environment, and thus increases the impact of scholar protection. The first funding call will open on 1 October 2026.

Academic freedom is increasingly under pressure around the world. Researchers and academics face threats ranging from political persecution and conflict to restrictions on free inquiry, making it impossible for them to continue their work safely. To respond to these challenges, the Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme (FSPS) has been established as a national initiative (running from 2026 to 2030) that strengthens Finland’s ability to support scholars at risk, enables them to continue their academic careers in a safe academic environment, and thus increases the impact of scholar protection. The scheme is built on the values of academic freedom, human rights, and sustainable development while providing a long-term framework for scholar protection within Finnish higher education institutions.

UniPID has an important role of trust to coordinate the scheme in close collaboration with Finnish universities. The first funding call will open on 1 October 2026. Through the scheme, host universities can apply funding for a named scholar at risk and provide them with a position lasting up to three years. Applications must be submitted by Finnish universities on behalf of the eligible candidates, meaning that individual scholars cannot apply directly to the programme. The eligibility criteria have now been published, and you can read more about them here: FSPS Call for applications.

FSPS offers significant support for host institutions. A maximum of 225 000 EUR is available for the employment costs of a scholar and relocation costs over a period of up to three years. The scheme aims to emphasize long-term integration and wellbeing by requiring hosts to provide academic supervision, mentoring and administrative support as well as access to peer support networks.

Universities that are interested in applying funding through the call, are encouraged to begin discussions with potential host units and candidates already now. To support prospective applicants, UniPID will host an information webinar on 28 September 2026 at 14:00-15:00. Please register to the webinar here.

The call opens on 1 October and closes on 19 November 2026, with funding decisions expected in December 2026. Employment periods are planned to begin between March and September 2027.

Through the Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme, Finnish universities want to support scholars facing persecution can continue contributing their expertise to research, education and society.

Want to ask something? Please be in touch with us through if.feu@spsf