In Finland, a lot of high-level water technology research is carried out and high-quality water technology is developed. Both KAUTE Foundation and Erkki Paasikivi Foundation award grants for these fields of studies.
The purpose of the common website focusing on the research of water technology is to guarantee multi-annual funding especially for research projects by young researchers. With the funding the researchers are also encouraged to create international networks. In this call we fund research on clean domestic water, development of water purification technology and analytics, research on ultra-pure water, and research on clean water for the pharmaceutical industry and hospitals. In this call, we do not fund research related to natural waters or wastewater treatment.
The grant application allows applicants to reach both foundations with a single application. The 2025 grant application is now open 18.8.–19.9.
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1. Read the application criteria and instructions.
2. Fill in and submit the application form with the appendices (a summary of the project plan, a CV and a list of publications) by September 19th, 2025, at 23.59 using the electronic application form. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be processed.
3. A reference from the project supervisor or other referee is needed for the application. The referee will receive a separate invitation e-mail to submit the recommendation. The recommendation must be completed in the electronic application system within seven days of the application period.
4. Decisions will be notified by e-mail to all applicants during December 2025.
You can apply for a grant for water technology research and development projects. The grants are primarily awarded for doctoral dissertations or for post-doctoral research.
Time's up
What happens after the application has been submitted?
After the application period KAUTE foundation and Erkki Paasikivi foundation evaluate all the applications together, after which both foundations will do their independent grant decisions. The joint assessment allows the foundations a multidisciplinary evaluation and makes the application process easier for applicants. The decisions will be notified to all applicants in December 2025.
How much and for how long can you apply for a grant?
The grants are awarded for full-time research work primarily for a working period of three, six or twelve months. If the research progresses on schedule and the researcher reports on the use of the grant according to the instructions of the foundation awarding the grant, can the foundation commit to awarding the grant also for a longer period, however for the maximum of three years.
Amounts of the grants in 2025:
If needed, you can also apply for a grant for a shorter or a longer period between 1-12 months.
Who can apply?
Finnish citizens and citizens of other countries who live in Finland can apply for a grant. A working group can also apply for a grant. The applicant must have a university degree or other strong evidence from water technology.
Erkki Paasikivi foundation has awarded grants for research and culture for over 30 years, since 1987. One of the purposes of the foundation is to promote education and research in water technology and housing solutions.
The Finnish Science Foundation for Technology and Economics KAUTE was founded in 1956. Lauri Santasalo made a donation to the foundation in 1993, which established Niilo V. and Lauri N. Santasalo special fund. The purpose of the fund is to support clean technology (cleantech) processes and infection control research and development in the fields of biotechnology, pharmacy and healthcare. In addition, the fund supports clean water production and supervision.
All interested financiers in the field can fund the grants for research in water technology. Join us by contacting [email protected] or [email protected].
High-level water technology and clean water research is being done in several Finnish universities and research institutes. Previously, the foundations involved have awarded funding to, among others, researchers working in the following institutions.