Saastamoinen Foundation engages in purposeful collaboration with several partners in the fields of science, education, art and culture. It promotes internationality and openness in all its activities.
Regarding the distribution of grants, the mission of the Saastamoinen Foundation is to:
- support art and artists in Finland and internationally,
- support science and education in collaboration with, among others, the University of Eastern Finland, Aalto University and the Academy of Arts at the University of Arts Helsinki, as well as to
- support initiatives that develop the Finnish economy and society.
- support social initiatives aimed at young people, culture initiatives aimed at children and youth, as well as cultural projects related to the family business’ history.
The Foundation’s operations also aim to promote international research, education and networking.
The guidelines governing collaboration and the distribution of grants at the Saastamoinen Foundation are simple and straightforward. To receive a grant, the applicant must meet the criteria regarding the project’s content, duration and target group. While giving its partners a great deal of responsibility in distributing the grants, the Foundation retains the power of decision-making in all situations with the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Who can apply for a grant?
The grants can be applied by an organisation with a business ID, a working group or a private person.
The focus in grant distribution is increasingly on large individual investments and long-term projects, to which the Foundation commits for 3-5 years. The project-specific grant can vary from a few thousand euros to a million euros.
With regard to grants for the arts, the mission of the Foundation is to promote the international visibility of Finnish visual art and publishing in this area. The Foundation collaborates with EMMA - Espoo Museum of Modern Art and with artists, art lovers and other art museums.
The Foundation’s main partners in the field of science and education are the University of Eastern Finland, Aalto University, and the Academy of Fine Arts at Uniarts Helsinki, and applicants from these institutions. The Foundation’s important stakeholders also include other universities, higher education institutes and their researchers and students.
Applying for a grant
Students and staff in the Aalto University School of Economy, University of Eastern Finland and the Academy of Fine Arts at University of the Arts Helsinki are advised to seek additional information regarding the application process from the relevant office of their own school or their closest professor or superior.
Other applicants are to send the grant application to the Saastamoinen Foundation via email either in English or in Finnish. The application should include the following attachments:
- a project plan
- collaboration and/or financing model
- detailed statement of costs
- information about possible other grants or grant applications regarding the same project, as well as
- the applicant’s portfolio and applicants’ CVs (depending on the application).
The sum of the grant and purpose of use are determined based on the project’s operating model and content. The applicant must provide the Foundation with a detailed and clear statement on the planned as well as realised use of the grant.
The Saastamoinen Foundation’s Board of Directors reviews grant applications in approximately 6 meetings per year.
Inquiries and applications: apurahat@saastamoinenfoundation.fi
Distribution of grants
Distribution of the grant requires that the applicant commits to the terms of the grant set by the Saastamoinen Foundation. The terms include that the applicant
1) reports periodically on the use of the grant as well as progress of the project by providing the Foundation with expense reports, as well as compiles a project completion report for the Foundation,
2) mentions the Saastamoinen Foundation as they communicate on the project, including social media channels and traditional media. In social media, the Foundation is mentioned with the hashtag #saastamoisensaatio or #saastamoinenfoundation, and in Facebook the Foundation’s site is to be tagged with @saastamoisensaatio.
Other criteria for the distribution of a grant are the project’s societal impact, responsible and sustainable execution as well as the promotion of internationalisation and openness. The decision will also take into consideration the applicant’s own view of the project’s sustainability, for example in terms of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The applicants are informed via email on the decision of the grant’s distribution.
FAQ
Who can apply for a grant?
The grants can be applied by an organisation with a business ID, a working group or a private person.
What are the grants distributed for?
The Saastamoinen Foundation supports initiatives that promote Finnish science and arts as well as internationalisation and openness. In addition, we support youth-related initiatives, among others.
How can I apply for a grant?
The applicant sends a grant application to the Saastamoinen Foundation via email. The application should include e.g. a project and financing plan. More information on the application process and required attachments can be found in the Applying for a grant section.
Can a foreigner apply for a grant?
Yes, they can.
How is the grant paid?
The form of payment is agreed upon applying the grant or, at the latest, upon awarding the grant.
What are my obligations if I am awarded a grant by the Saastamoinen Foundation?
The grant holder is expected to report periodically on the use of the grant and the progress of the project.
Can the Foundation award the same applicant with more than one grant? If so, how much time should there be between the grants?
It is possible to award one applicant with multiple grants. There is no specific time that has to pass between the grants, as the distribution of grants is based on the projects’ content and other criteria.
Photo: Kimmo Syväri, Aalto EE