21.5.2025

The Board of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation has decided to provide 21 postdoc researchers with research funding and 11 artists with a grant. In total, the funding amounts to 941,237 euro. The largest individual grants for scientific research are as much as 60,000 euro and those for fine arts are 10,000 euro. Some of the grants for scientific research were awarded as continued funding to enable a researcher to carry on with research initiated earlier with support from the Foundation.

The Foundation received a total of 558 applications by the deadline. The majority of applications were from artists, totalling 325. A total of 233 postdoc researchers applied for a grant for scientific work.

“The applications were of high quality. Unfortunately, many important research projects remained without funding”, says Pentti Huovinen, Chairman of the Board of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation.

“In order to maintain and develop the high level of scientific competence in Finland, we need to succeed in encouraging talented young people to pursue a career in research. This is vital for the future of our society as a whole”, Huovinen points out.

Support for fine arts as well

For the first time, grants were also awarded to artists who address, through their works, such issues as climate change, environmental crises, the state of nature in Finland or environmental protection.

“We need thought-provoking art. Through their works, artists can take a stand on social issues and raise our emotional awareness. Pure knowledge is not always enough”, explains Saara Alhopuro, Member of the Board of the Foundation.

“The great number of interesting projects made the selection hard. The grant recipients include artists who approach natural themes creatively as well as young talents whose career the Foundation wishes to support. Each application was unique in its own way”, Alhopuro concludes.

The names of the persons and projects that have received grant funding are found on the Foundation website.

 

Further information:

Pentti Huovinen, Chairman of the Board
tel. +358 40 505 2284, pentti.huovinen(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi                         

Saara Alhopuro, Member of the Board                                                                                                                          
tel. +358 40 529 1170, saara.alhopuro(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi

Carita Rantanen, Managing Director
tel. +358 40 503 9609, carita.rantanen(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi 

The purpose of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation is to support and promote high-quality medical research, biodiversity, entrepreneurship as well as cultural and social well-being in Finland.