Leaders of research groups can apply for grants for research costs, in exceptional cases also for apparatus, and for research assistants. Research assistants are understood to be undergraduate students who during the summer months or in addition to their studies participate in a research project and gain research experience relevant for their studies.
The research grant is normally about 20 000 € per year.
The Walter and Lisi Wahl fund grants one or two apparatus grants, maximally about 10 000 €.
In 2024 (application period 15.10-30.11.2023) the Walter and Lisi Wahl fund will award one or more grants of up to 100 000 € in total.
Research grants are awarded to persons who wish to take a leave of absence from their work to be able to do full-time research or who for some other reason do not have a salary. Persons who recently have obtained their PhD may apply for a postdoctoral grant. The purpose of a postdoctoral grant is to enable the grantee to further develop as a researcher. The postdoctoral grants can be awarded for a period of two to three years to a researcher who has an obvious potential to become a successful scientist.
A researcher who has received a multiyear scholarship must submit a research report on the progress of the research before the end of each year. The postdoctoral grant is paid in annual instalments at the beginning of the year. The first instalment is paid for the period from the starting date to the end of the year.
Grants for shorter periods can be awarded to young researchers who are returning from abroad or as support for the time bridging the thesis defense and the post doc period.
The postdoctoral grant is 29 000 € per year.
If the grant is not accepted by the end of the calendar year following the year the grant was awarded, it returns to the Foundation.
Grants can also be awarded for part-time research.
A doctoral research grant can be awarded to a doctoral researcher who has been accepted by the university as a doctoral student. The grants are usually awarded for three to four years. The grant can be awarded conditionally to a student about to graduate. The grant is paid when the student has graduated and presented proof of acceptance to the doctoral program. The grant is meant to cover the costs of living during the study period.
If the grant is not accepted by the end of the calendar year following the year the grant was awarded, it is forfeited to the Foundation.
The grantee is not allowed to have a salaried job during the time they have the grant. However, performing duties such as a teaching assistant for a few hours per week is permitted, even for a salary from the department, as it can be considered a part of the academic education. It must not, however, interfere with the research. A part-time salary from the department to equalize income for students with various sources for their financing is permitted.
A doctoral researcher who has received a grant for several years must annually before the end of the year submit a short progress report. The doctoral researcher grant is paid annually at the beginning of the year. The first instalment is paid for the period from the start of the work until the end of the year.
A statement from the supervisor is essential for the evaluation of the application. To an application for doctoral research grant, one must in addition to the statement from the supervisor attach a transcript of the study records and an affirmation by the department head that the necessary infrastructure for the work is available. The application must show that the doctoral work can be completed under competent supervision and guidance.
The doctoral researcher grant is 24 000 € per annum.
Leaders of research groups may also apply for project support for a period of two to three years. The annual support is usually approximately 20 000 € and paid in annual instalments. A researcher who has received a multiyear grant must annually by the end of the year report the use of the research funds and the progress made.
Travel grants are mainly awarded for longer stays at universities and research institutions. Grants for conference trips are not prioritized. Support is granted for tickets, hotel or accommodation costs, conference fees and reasonable food and other expenses during the stay.
