Instructions for cooperation with Russia

Ongoing mobility

Ongoing mobility funding concerning Russia can be used in accordance with the funding terms and conditions. If the implementation of the project proves impossible, for instance due to the instructions of the site of research, the sanctions against Russia and Belarus, the export control provisions, the travel recommendations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or other such factors, the researcher should withdraw from the project during the funding period. The researcher shall submit an appeal via the online services to decline the funding. The unused mobility money must be returned to the Research Council no later than after the end of the funding period.

Funding granted for mobility projects from Russia to Finland may be redirected to invite Ukrainian researchers to Finland. The application to change the original funding decision must be submitted no later than two months before the end of the funding period. The Research Council may accept or reject the application.

Other ongoing projects

In projects funded by the Research Council, cooperation with individual Russian researchers and research teams can only continue if the instructions of the site of research, the sanctions against Russia and Belarus, the export control provisions, the travel recommendations of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs or other such factors do not prevent it.

If the funding granted by the Research Council cannot be used for the purpose stated in the funding decision, the recipient must relinquish the funding or apply to change the purpose. The application to change the original funding decision must be submitted no later than two months before the end of the funding period. The Research Council may accept or reject the application.

Research Council -funded projects may hire Ukrainian researchers to work on the projects.

Applications being processed

As a result of the Russian attack on Ukraine, the operating environment for conducting research has changed so much that the Research Council will check the feasibility of applications that include substantial collaboration with Russia or Belarus. If necessary, applicants will be requested to provide a brief explanation, and sites of research will be requested to confirm their commitment to the proposed projects.

Autumn 2023 call

The Research Council of Finland’s cooperation with Russian organisations is still suspended. Bilateral Finland-Russia mobility funding will not be opened for application for the time being.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Answers

Grounds

Can I still invite Russian researchers to work on an ongoing project?

Yes

According to the policy of the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, foreign students and researchers are welcome at Finnish higher education institutions and research organisations regardless of their nationality. Mobility funding decisions previously made under bilateral agreements of the Research Council of Finland have not been cancelled.

Can I exchange a researcher to be invited from Russia for a researcher to be invited from Ukraine?

You can apply to change the original funding decision. The Research Council may accept or reject the application. The invitee must have obtained a doctorate and be a good match with the project for which the mobility funding was originally received.

The Research Council can accept the change because it is in line with the Research Council of Finland's call for mobility from Ukraine to Finland.

I’m unable to travel to Russia. Can I transfer my personal Russia mobility grant (mobility invitation funding) to a researcher to be invited from Russia to Finland?

No

Under the funding terms and conditions, Russia mobility grants are personal grants, and the mobility invitation funding is an appropriation paid via the site of research. These are two different types of funding, and they cannot be mixed. It will not be possible to monitor the use of the grant if the researcher who was awarded the personal grant transfers the money to an invitee.

I’m unable to travel to Russia. Can I use my grant as remuneration to a research assistant in Russia if they go to archives to get material I need?

No

As stated in the funding terms and conditions, the Russia mobility grant is a personal grant. According to the Research Council’s policy, Research Council funding will not be granted to a recipient located in Russia or Belarus.

If I’m unable to travel, can I use the grant to work remotely from Finland.

No

Under the funding terms and conditions, the mobility grant is specifically intended for travel and other essential living expenses during the travel.

The funding period ends on 31 December 2022. Can the funding be used until the end of 2023, if it is impossible to travel before then?

No

Russia’s attack on Ukraine is not an acceptable reason for extending the funding period.

What should I do if the implementation of the project seems impossible, for example, because of stricter guidelines at the site of research or because of the travel instructions of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs?

If project implementation seems impossible, there are three alternatives:

  • A change in the purpose of the invitation funding (appropriation, not personal grant) in order to invite a researcher from Ukraine to Finland may be applied for with a “change of purpose” application.
  • If the funding period is still ongoing, you can wait until the situation changes. However, the funding must be used during the funding period.
  • If the implementation of the project seems impossible, the funding must be cancelled. Both grantees and appropriation recipients submit an appeal to have the funding cancelled entirely or while the funding period is ongoing. Unused grant money shall be returned to the Research Council.

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