1. Financing possibilities for PhD students – some cases
Paula Elomaa
Department of Applied Biology

2. Case I Research group provides funding
salary / scholarship
chemicals + equipment + travel
funding can be applied from several sources for a known or unknown person
Academy of Finland EU
TEKES
Ministries
selection of appropriate students
TEKES = Finnish funding agency for technology and innovation
Tekes finances industrial R&D projects as well as projects in universities and research institutes.
Tekes especially promotes innovative, risk-intensive projects.
Selection: application + interview + ask opinions from previous employees + test time
VERY OFTEN THE PERSON HAS ALREADY DONE HER/HIS M.SC. WORK AND HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE VERY SKILLFULL

3. Case II Graduate schools
the applicant should agree with the group in advance + make a detailed research plan for her/his PhD studies
salary is provided for 1-4 years fully or partly
matching fund students
follow up groups
PhD work is expected to be finished within 4 years!
Many applicants
Interviews
Few places available

4. Case III Personal scholarships / grants
Various private foundations
Information of smaller foundations available only in finnish (?)
appr e/month
funding for short periods
often no money for chemicals or other costs
no insurance, no pension contribution
TURA; Univ. of Turku – funding database
TURAsta ilmestyy neljä kertaa vuodessa tutkimusrahoitustiedotteen (ent. apurahatiedote) nimellä myös pdf-muotoinen kooste apurahoista ja muista tutkimusrahoituksen mahdollisuuksista. Linkki tuoreimpaan tiedotteeseen on tämän sivun alareunassa. Se sisältää perustiedot n. 700 tutkimustoiminnan rahoittajasta Suomessa ja ulkomailla. Rahoitusmuodoista on eritelty.

5. Case IV International funding
Funding from your own home country
Exchange programs
Specific target groups
funding database
If you have your own funding (own salary) it will be a very good possibility to get a PhD position
joint students between groups
EU money for post docs

6. What is expected from a PhD student?
Why do you do this?
Motivation & dedication!
Good basic knowledge in M.Sc. studies
Practical skills (e.g. lab work)
Writing + language skills
Show your own thinking!
FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION
Long working days!
4 years for a PhD – short time!
Own thinking – you are doing your personal PhD thesis!