The Foundation for Municipal Development (KAKS) allocates funding for research projects on municipalities as well as grants for researchers in the field. Applications are not restricted to a particular field of study or discipline.
In Finland in 2023, the responsibility for organising public healthcare, social welfare and resource services was transferred from municipalities to well-being services counties. After this change KAKS has continued to fund research on these three areas provided that such research is significant for municipalities. KAKS also hopes that applications from these areas would focus on themes promoting health and welfare, and especially on the interfaces and collaboration municipalities and well-being services counties.
Application periods and sending an application
Applicant will get an username in eKAKS electronic system and he/she can fill the application to the end of application period. In the application applicant must fill a research aim, significance of the study in which is determined how the municipalities benefit from the study, and a research plan (attach CV and bibliography). For research projects the applicant should also fill a communication plan.
All documents can be written in English.
Calls
Each year, the first call opens on the first day of January and ends on the last day of February. Decisions in June will be published on our website. Every applicant will be informed about the decision concerning the application.
Each year, the second call opens on the first day of July and ends on the last day of August. Decisions in December will be published on our website. Every applicant will be informed about the decision concerning the application.
Types of funding
KAKS awards grants for following purposes:
1. RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Research projects of universities, other research institutes and municipalities (no funding for regular activities or investments of municipalities).
The applicant should prepare following attachments:
- A CV is required for all participating researchers. If the researchers are not nominated by the application’s deadline, the contact person’s CV should be included.
- Bibliography of the research plan (the E-KAKS version).
2. PHD RESEARCH
- PhD research are typically one-, two- or three-year grants (25 000 euro per year), including the pension and accident insurance (information from Mela). In addition, it is possible to apply financing for research expenses (e.g. material and travel expenses).
- One-year grant must be used within three (3) years, two-year grant within five (5) years and three-year grant within seven (7) years
- Utilising a grant doesn’t require being a full-time grant researcher at KAKS
The applicant should prepare the following attachments:
- CV
- Grades of previous theses. You can mention these in your CV as well.
- Bibliography of the research plan (the E-KAKS version)
3. POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCH
- Postdoctoral grants are typically one-year grants, max. 20 000 euro.
- Utilising a grant doesn’t require being a full-time grant researcher at KAKS
The applicant should prepare the following attachments:
- CV
- Grades of previous theses. You can mention these in your CV as well.
- bibliography of the research plan
4. MASTER’S THESIS RESEARCH
- MA thesis grants are 1 200-1 500 euro.
- utilizing a grant doesn’t require being full-time grant researcher at KAKS
The applicant should prepare following attachments:
- CV
- Grades of previous theses. You can mention these in your CV as well.
- Supervisor will add the letter of recommendation to the E-KAKS system
- bibliography of the research plan
5. PUBLICATIONS
The applicant should prepare the following attachments:
- CV
- Grades of previous theses. You can mention these in your CV as well.
6. TRAVEL GRANTS
The applicant should prepare the following attachments:
- CV
- invitation or programme of the event (or similar)
All attachments should be converted to PDF files.
Applicants must list on the application form all grants received as well as any applications that are pending at the time of applying for KAKS funding. Applicants must inform KAKS without delay if she/he receive funding from any other source during KAKS’ application and processing period.
YOU CAN SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE.
