FSPS FAQ

FAQ

About the scheme

What is the Finnish Scholar Protection Scheme (FSPS)?

FSPS is a national initiative of Finnish universities that enables scholars whose academic work or personal safety is threatened in their home country to continue their work at a Finnish higher education institution. The scheme runs from 2026 to 2030 and is coordinated by UniPID.

Who funds FSPS?

The participating universities fund the coordination of the scheme. The protected positions are co-funded by external contributors together with the host university. The first call is funded by the Kone Foundation.

Which universities take part in the scheme, and where can I find the list?

All 13 Finnish universities take part: Aalto University, Hanken School of Economics, LUT University, Tampere University, University of the Arts Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, University of Helsinki, University of Jyväskylä, University of Lapland, University of Oulu, University of Turku, University of Vaasa and Åbo Akademi University.

How many positions are funded in this call?

Two positions are funded in this call.

How does FSPS relate to Scholars at Risk (SAR) and its Finnish section?

All Finnish universities are members of the global Scholars at Risk Network (SAR), and together they form its national section, Scholars at Risk Finland (SARF), which has operated under UNIFI since 2020. FSPS is a separate national funding scheme, created by the Finnish universities to make scholar protection more predictable and long-term. It builds on SAR's work: risk is assessed in line with SAR's guidance for host institutions, SAR or SRF statuses are recognised.

Can other foundations, organisations or individuals contribute funding to the scheme?

Yes. Please contact us at .

Applying

Can a scholar apply directly to FSPS?

No. Applications are made by universities, for a named candidate. A scholar looking for a placement should approach a university department directly. Any of Finland’s participating universities may host a scholar. Candidates are not limited to the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), which coordinates FSPS on behalf of the network.

Do we need to have a candidate before applying?

Yes. FSPS funds a specific named scholar at a specific host unit, so both need to be in place before the application.

Can one university submit several applications?

Yes. However, at most one position per university is funded in a call. If the two highest-ranked applications come from the same university, the lower-ranked one is placed on the reserve list.

In which language should the application be written?

English

When is the call open?

The call is open from 1 October to 19 November 2026.

How is the application submitted?

Through the FSPS web submission form, which is linked on the FSPS web page. Upload each attachment as a separate PDF file of no more than 1 MB, and do not put the candidate's name in file names. Applications sent by e-mail are not accepted. See the Guide for Applicants for details.

Who at our university should submit the application?

Each applying university names a contact person for FSPS, who submits the application and acts as the main contact with FSPS. This can be, for example, someone from international HR, the head of the academic unit or the assigned supervisor, but it is usually someone from the university administration. The hosting plan must be signed by the head of the academic unit hosting the scholar.

Can two universities apply for the same candidate?

Yes, this is possible, and each application is assessed on its own merits. The research plan may be tailored to each host unit. However, we generally recommend applying through one university only.

A candidate can be funded only once, and in this call the two positions go to two different universities. If both applications rank high enough for funding, only the higher-ranked one can go ahead, and the other application is withdrawn. The other university would then lose a position it could have used for another candidate. All applying universities are FSPS member universities and are represented on the Steering Committee, so the scheme aims to use each position fairly between them.

One strong, tailored application is also usually better than two good ones. Each application requires a full set of documents from the host university, including a hosting plan, a budget, a risk assessment and a research plan. The hosting plan is scored on how well the research fits the host unit and how the unit will support the candidate. Concentrating the candidate's and the host's efforts on one carefully prepared application usually gives the strongest result.

If a candidate proceeds with more than one university, we recommend being open about it with all of them.

If our application is not funded, can we apply again for the same candidate in a later call?

Yes. An unsuccessful application does not prevent a university from applying again for the same candidate in a later call.

For scholars

I am a scholar at risk. How do I apply?

Scholars cannot apply to FSPS directly. The first step is to contact a department or academic unit at a Finnish university that could host you. FSPS can help identify potential host academic units that may suit your field.

Should I send my CV and other documents to FSPS?

No. FSPS coordination does not collect CVs, publication lists or supporting documents from candidates at this stage. Share these with the prospective host department, which assesses them.

When is the five-year limit assessed?

The five-year limit is assessed on the closing date of the call, 19 November 2026.

Do I need a doctorate?

Yes. A doctoral degree or equivalent is required. There is no exception for candidates who are close to completing their doctorate.

I am currently on a fellowship in another country, outside my home country. Can I still be considered?

Yes. Being in your country of origin or in another country does not in itself exclude you from the scheme. However, if you hold citizenship or permanent residence in a safe country, including Finland, you are not eligible, but temporary residence based on international protection does not exclude you. Please note the five-year limit: qualifying risk is either ongoing now or, for a past event that forced you to leave, happened within the last five years, and candidates who have lived outside their home country for more than five years are not eligible. Any fellowship or other funding you hold must be declared, and in general, other monetary funding may not exceed 30,000 EUR per year, and eligibility is considered case by case.

Will I get help with a residence permit or visa, for myself and my family?

The host university's international HR support team (often called international staff services or mobility services) helps the scholar in dealing with the authorities, including residence permit matters, to the extent of the services it provides. FSPS supports by providing information on the funding and by sharing contacts from the Scholars at Risk network.

Do I need to speak Finnish?

No. Knowledge of Finnish is not required. For long-term integration and employment in Finnish academia and society, however, learning Finnish or Swedish is a real advantage alongside English.

What happens when the protection period ends?

FSPS funding covers a maximum of three years. During this time, the scheme aims to help the scholar establish themselves as a full member of the academic community and integrate into Finnish society, so that they are able to compete for academic positions and research funding, or take their career forward in other ways, after the protection period.

Eligibility and risk

Our candidate does not have SAR status. Can we still apply?

It depends on the level of risk. Where the risk is preliminarily assessed as significant or severe, the university may carry out the assessment itself using the FSPS Risk Level Assessment Form. Where it is low or modest, SAR or SRF status is required first. In both cases, the candidate is recommended to apply for SAR or SRF status.

The candidate is already in Finland. Are they eligible?

Yes, in most cases. The candidate may be in their home country, in a third country or already in Finland. However, a candidate with citizenship or permanent residence in Finland or in another safe country is not eligible, but temporary residence based on international protection does not exclude them, but the risk of return should still be there to be eligible. The current residence status and its validity are asked for in section 2 of the application form.

The candidate has applied for other funding. Does that disqualify them?

Not automatically. FSPS is intended to be the primary source of funding for the position. Any additional funding should be declared in the budget section. In general, however, the candidate’s other monetary funding may not exceed 30,000 EUR/year; non-monetary support such as infrastructure, research equipment, or in kind HR hours is not counted toward this limit.

The candidate has few publications because of their situation. Does that count against them?

No. Academic merit is assessed in the light of the circumstances the candidate has been working in. Explain the situation in the application so that the assessors can take it into account.

Is there a limit on how long the candidate has been outside their home country?

Yes. Qualifying risk is either ongoing now or, for a past event that forced the candidate to leave, happened within the last five years. In all cases, candidates who have lived outside their home country for more than five years are not eligible, regardless of why they left and even if the risk arose only after they left or is still ongoing. The five years are counted from the candidate's most recent departure from their home country.

Can a candidate who is already employed by our university be put forward?

Yes, this is possible. The candidate's risk level will be considered, as the scheme is intended for scholars who are at risk and in need of protection.

What evidence of risk do we need to provide, and in what form?

Please do not send evidence of risk to FSPS. The risk assessment is carried out by the applying university. Evidence of risk is by default highly sensitive personal data and should be kept by the university only for the duration of the call and handled in line with its own data management practices. Once the call has ended, all evidence of risk and any copies of it are deleted. If you are unsure how your institution handles such data, please consult your data protection officer. In the application, a short description of the candidate's circumstances is enough: country of origin, current country of residence and residence status, and whether there is a risk of being returned.

Funding and employment

What do we have to pay ourselves?

Everything above the 225,000 EUR FSPS contribution. The 225,000 covers salary and employment costs and, where applicable, relocation costs. In practice, what you pay yourselves means infrastructure, internal services, supervision, and mentoring, plus, if you choose to set the salary higher than the FSPS contribution covers, the difference.

When preparing the budget, remember to declare any other funding the candidate receives. In general, other monetary funding may not exceed 30,000 euro/year in total; this limit applies only to monetary funding, not to in-kind contributions such as research equipment.

Can we apply for a period shorter than three years?

Yes. Three years is the default because it gives a realistic chance of finding a route onward, but a shorter period is possible, down to a minimum of 2.5 years, if the candidate wishes it or the Steering Committee so decides.

Can the employment be discontinuous?

Yes. The scholar may take leave between funding periods, but the total employment period should not exceed five years.

Are relocation costs covered?

A one-off reimbursement against actual costs is available, up to 5 000 euro for a scholar arriving alone or 8 000 euro where immediate household members come too.

What kind of position is it?

An employment contract with the host university, on the same rights, duties and salary-setting procedures as for its other employees.

How is the salary set?

Salary follows the Finnish universities' salary system (YPJ) and is set by the host university in the same way as for its other employees.

How do we request a period shorter than three years, since the form has no field for it?

State the shorter period in the application. It should be shown at least in the budget.

Can the start of employment be postponed, for example if a residence permit is delayed?

Yes, as long as the employment period still ends within the lifetime of the funding.

Can the scholar move to another university during the protection period?

No. The employment contract is made with one host university.

Hosting and support

What is the host university expected to provide?

The host university provides the working environment and support set out in its hosting plan, including infrastructure, academic supervision and mentoring, and support for the scholar's integration into the academic community. It can also include travel, research and publication expenses. These are assessed as part of the hosting plan.

Process and decisions

What if the candidate's situation changes during the application process?

Tell the coordinator as soon as possible. If the candidate’s circumstances change substantially, a reassessment of risk level should be done by the applicant, without a new application.

Who evaluates and ranks applications?

A Selection Committee, made up of 4–5 members drawn from within the Steering Committee, evaluates and ranks applications using the eligibility check, the Risk Level Assessment Form and the evaluation criteria. The full Steering Committee then makes the funding decision based on that ranking.

When will we hear the outcome, and when can employment start?

The Steering Committee decides on applications at its meeting on 10 December 2026, and applicants are informed after the meeting. Employment can then begin between March and September of the following year.

How are conflicts of interest handled if a committee member's own university has applied?

Committee members sign a Declaration of Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest before evaluating applications. A member with a conflict of interest does not take part in discussing, assessing or deciding on the affected application.

Can a decision be appealed?

No. Funding decisions cannot be appealed.

Confidentiality

Will the scholar be named publicly?

Only with their express consent. Protection can be provided without the scholar being publicly identified.

How is the personal data in the application handled?

In accordance with the Researcher Consent Form and the UniPID privacy notice. Documents are exchanged through secure channels and access is limited to those who need it in order to assess the application. The candidate's signed consent form is required with the application.

Will third parties, such as references or organisations in the candidate's home country, be contacted?

Not without the candidate's knowledge. Any contact with third parties is discussed with the candidate in advance and requires their permission.

Can the candidate withdraw consent or ask for their data to be deleted?

Yes. The candidate may withdraw consent at any time by contacting , and may request that their personal data be deleted. Withdrawal does not affect processing carried out before it.

How long is the personal data kept?

Personal data is kept for the lifetime of the scheme and, for financial administration, for as long as Finnish law requires. Where personal data is no longer needed, it is deleted or anonymised.

For participating universities

Who represents our university in the scheme?

Each participating university has one member on the Steering Committee.

Contact