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Aalto Internal Funding Call 2026–2027

Funding for Strategic Engagement with the USA

As part of the Finnish-American Research & Innovation Accelerator (FARIA) activities, Aalto University offers internal funding to support strategic engagement with the United States. The funding instruments are designed to be flexible, opportunity-driven, and aligned with Aalto’s long-term objectives in research, innovation, education, and societal impact.

This call includes two complementary funding tracks:

• Track 1: Flexible Short-Term Mobility Funding (USA Travel Grants)
• Track 2: Aalto: Brighter Futures Salon (Seattle 2026)

Together, these tracks aim to strengthen Aalto’s presence in key U.S. innovation ecosystems, deepen collaboration with leading academic, industry, and government partners, and support Aalto’s role in national and international innovation diplomacy.

Application deadline: 24 April 2026 
Funding period: 2026–2027 (funds must be used by 31 December 2027)

Track 1: Flexible Short-Term Mobility Funding (USA Travel Grants)

Purpose: This track supports strategic network development through short-term mobility to and from the United States. The objective is to explore, strengthen, and expand Aalto’s collaboration with key stakeholders in academia, industry, and public/private funders, and to create pathways toward long-term partnerships and externally funded initiatives.

Priority will be given to travel that combines meetings or activities with several stakeholder groups and demonstrates clear strategic value for Aalto.

What is funded

• Maximum funding: €5,000 per proposal
• Total budget for Track 1: € 50,000

The funding covers:

• Travel costs for Aalto faculty, staff, and doctoral students to the U.S.
• Meetings and visits in the U.S. in preparation of joint research, innovation, or education projects
• Participation in conferences, Business Finland delegations, and relevant networking events in the U.S.
• Workshops, seminars, or collaborative events in Finland or U.S. that strengthen existing collaborations or foster new links (U.S.-engagement context must be clearly visible).  

Note: 
The funding traditionally aims at outbound mobility. In well-justified cases, inbound visits ���ʵ��� University may also be funded.

Track 2: Aalto: Brighter Futures Salon (Seattle 2026)

Purpose: Aalto University is exploring a more systematic and deeper development of stakeholder relationships in Seattle’s innovation ecosystem. As a first step, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Washington and launched the synergy grant with UW. As a second step, we encourage now broader engagement with the ecosystem.

This track supports the design and execution of a high-level Aalto Salon in Seattle, organized in conjunction with the Nordic Innovation Summit (tentatively 14–16 October 2026) and an Aalto senior leadership delegation to the University of Washington.

The Aalto Salon is an invite-only, curated dialogue and networking format that strengthens Aalto University as a leading voice in global innovation, design, science, and responsible futures. The Salon serves as a platform for innovation diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and long-term engagement with U.S. stakeholders.

Ideally, we are looking for colleagues who would like to develop a format that allows them to develop and nourish relationships with a diverse set of innovation ecosystem stakeholders at the same time (e.g. academic, industry, civic, funders).  

Concept

The spirit of the Salon is futuristic optimism: forward-looking, informal, and relationship-driven — “being among friends.”

The Salon could be for example an intimate gathering of approximately 10–20 carefully selected participants, hosted in collaboration with the Finnish diplomatic network (e.g. honorary consuls). The format combines short thought-provoking interventions with moderated discussion over a shared dinner.

However, ultimately the format is free and should be described as part of the proposal.

Thematic focus

Proposals should align with Aalto’s research and innovation strengths and may address for example themes such as:

• Circular economy and sustainable innovation
• Digital futures and responsible AI
• Design thinking in government and industry
• The future of work and learning
• Art, business, and technology for societal impact

A strong connection to Seattle’s innovation ecosystem (e.g. technology, sustainability, creative industries, research-intensive universities) and to the Nordic Innovation Summit is encouraged. Close collaboration with the delegation organization is expected.

What is funded

Funding amount: Up to €15,000 per selected proposal

The funding supports:

• Concept development and program design
• Coordination with Finnish diplomatic missions and partners
• Speaker and participant engagement
• Salon-related catering, materials, and local arrangements
• Travel costs for the Aalto organizing team, where relevant

Expected outcomes

• Successful proposals should demonstrate potential for:
• High-quality engagement with strategic U.S. stakeholders
• Follow-up actions (e.g. joint projects, grant proposals, visiting appointments, education collaboration)

• New partnership, donor, or visibility opportunities for Aalto

Roles and responsibilities

• Applicants: Content, speakers, thematic framing, follow-up
• Aalto/FARIA: Overall framework, funding, strategic alignment & organisation support
• Local partners (e.g. Finnish diplomatic partners / Team Finland / UW) tbc: Venue support, diplomatic framing, co-hosting where applicable

Eligibility

• The PI should be a professor (at any level), a permanent employee of Aalto University, or at least a postdoctoral-level researcher with a current work contract at Aalto University until the end of December 2027.

Evaluation criteria

• Proposals are evaluated based on:
• Clarity, logic, and feasibility of the proposal
• Alignment with Aalto University strategy
• Contribution to developing or strengthening Aalto’s strategic networks in the USA
• Demonstrated development potential resulting from the activity

Application format and submission  

Please fill in the to submit your proposal for track 1 or 2.

Evaluation process

Proposals are evaluated by the Global Engagement team, with final funding decisions made by Dr. Jérôme Rickmann, National FARIA Lead.