The Alfred Kordelin Foundation’s August grant call closed on Sunday, August 31, at 4:00 p.m. The Foundation received a total of 2,290 applications: 334 in science, 1573 in the arts, and 383 in public education. We warmly thank all applicants.
The August call was the first application round under the Alfred Kordelin Foundation’s new strategy (2025–2035): the grant criteria and priorities were renewed this year. The Foundation supports long-term, goal-oriented work. Grants awarded to individuals are € 45,000 for a 12–18 months of work. Grants awarded to collectives range from €50,000 to €100,000.
“We have received positive feedback on the Foundation’s new policies and strategy. Longer grant periods, and the opportunity for uninterrupted work that they provide, are highly valued,” says the Foundation’s Managing Director, Erik Båsk. “Longer grant periods also enable more goal-oriented work and a stronger focus on the future.”
The number of applications is not directly comparable with previous years. Nevertheless, the number of applications was high, particularly in the arts, where collectives, in addition to individuals, were now also able to apply. The increase in applications in the arts likely reflects both the growing interest in the foundation’s larger grants and the generally challenging situation in the arts sector. A large number of applications was received even though grants are awarded to different artistic fields every other year. In 2025, grants were available for visual arts, music, architecture and applied arts. In 2026, grants will be awarded for literature and the performing arts.
Applications by Field
Grants for the science
The Foundation’s science grants are intended for recently graduated PhDs. The purpose of the grants is to support newly graduated doctors on their career paths and enable them to advance in their careers. Of the applications submitted in the August call, 101 were directed toward humanities, 110 for natural sciences and technical sciences, and 123 toward the social sciences.
Grants for the arts
Grants for the Arts are awarded for the different artistic fields every other year. In 2025, grants were available for visual arts, music, and architecture and applied arts. The largest number of applications came from the field of visual arts, with 979 applications. Music received 454 applications, and architecture and applied arts 140.
Public Education Grants
Public education grants are awarded to projects which strengthen the role of researched and expert-based knowledge. We want to strengthen critical thinking, diverse voices and democracy. Grants are awarded to both individuals and collectives: in the August call, the foundation received 168 applications from individuals and 215 project applications from collectives.
Next Steps in the Process
The evaluation of grant applications begins in September. Final funding decisions are made by the Board of the Alfred Kordelin Foundation.
Decisions on grants will be sent to applicants in early November – the information will be delivered to the email address provided by the applicant. The list of grant recipients will be published on the foundation’s website on Monday, November 17, 2025.
Further information
Saara Terva
Grant Specialist
Alfred Kordelin Foundation
saara.terva@kordelin.fi
+358 40 125 3010
Read more: Changes to Our Grants – August Call for Applications Published