HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships

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Do you dream of working one day as a scientist? Wait no longer!

HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships provide exciting opportunities to follow your own scientific curiosity. The scholarships are granted once per year, and include both an international and a local call. In the international call, students may apply to any top research institution abroad, while in the local call in any research group within the University of Helsinki.

There is no information on the next application round yet. More information available by June 2022. 

Why should you consider applying for the grant?
Who is eligible to apply?
Selection criteria
How to apply?
Timeline
More information about the programme
HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarship FAQ

Why should you consider applying for the grant?

Practical research training during undergraduate BSc, MSc and Lic (Med, Vet Med) studies can be an empowering experience. HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships offer an opportunity to conduct a research training period at a life science research group as a part of voluntary studies (particularly BSc/MSc/Lic thesis). The research group can be selected both at the University of Helsinki or at another research institute abroad.

The HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships will provide financial support for a four-month training period. HiLIFE will grant a total of ten HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarships, five for research to be conducted at UH (up to €1500/month), and five for research to be conducted abroad (up to €2000/month plus up to €1000 for travel costs).

Read more about the experiences of other trainees in the HiLIFE Research Trainee blog. 

Who is eligible to apply?

This programme is open to all undergraduate students studying life sciences at the University of Helsinki.

Life Science faculties at the University of Helsinki are: 

  • Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry
  • Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences
  • Faculty of Pharmacy
  • Faculty of Medicine
  • Faculty of Science
  • Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Selection criteria

  • Grades (You can order a transcript of studies in Sisu)
  • CV (max. 2 pages)
  • Motivation letter (max. 1 page) where you are expected to describe your motivation to do research, explain what research topic/question interests you the most and why, and define an outstanding question in that field. Describe how the internship would benefit your future. In the letter, please also indicate whether you are applying for a scholarship to do research in a group at the University of Helsinki, or whether you are planning to use the scholarship to join a lab abroad.
  • Interview by the selection committee (for preselected students)

How to apply?

To be eligible, the application must include the above mentioned three attachments (transcript, CV, motivation letter) as a single pdf-file, in English.

Applications are to be sent as a single pdf file through the Mobility Online Portal (tailor made pipeline) according to these instructions: 

  • Start the application process by registering online using the Mobility Online portal 
  • You need to click on the "ERAMUS SMP, ERASMUS STT...." banner at the top of the page and select the correct programme (Tailor-made programmes). The online application will open in a new window.
  • Log in using your University of Helsinki IT user account.
  • The application form for tailor-made programmes includes a question "a list of the courses you are planning to take". Write HiLIFE traineeship in this field. 
  • Once you have filled in the form click on the “Send application” -button.
  • After that, you will receive an email with further instructions on how to upload the required documents to be submitted together with the application. You can order the transcript from Sisu. Save it on your computer and then upload it (Upload documents) to Mobility Online together with the CV and motivation letter. 
  • When you are ready, click the link "Confirm that you have uploaded all required documents". Choose tick the box. Save your confirmation with the “Create” button. This completes your application (there is no separate submit/send button).

 

Application period is Sept 1 - Oct 15 2021. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

Timeline

  • Application period September 1 – October 15, 2021
  • Interviews in November and the decisions by the end of November 2021
  • Internship must be conducted by December 2022

HiLIFE Research Trainee Scholarship FAQ

Who can participate, and how is life science defined?

The program is intended for students interested in life science research that are enrolled in BSc, MSc or Lic (Med and Vet Med) Degree Programs at the University of Helsinki. Students from the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Science and Faculty of Medicine can participate in this programme.

Can I get credits for this training period?

It is strongly encouraged that you try to implement the practical training as a part of your degree and be prepared to explain how you will do that to the selection committee. However, policies differ between different study programs and you should consult the guidelines of your study programme to find out how to credit this period as a part of your degree.  

Why should I consider applying?

This is an opportunity to work as a part of a research group on a topic that you find fascinating. You are expected to learn new things and improve your analytical, communication, teamwork and technical skills. You will build new personal and professional connections and experience what it is like to be a member of the academic research group. If you are selected, you will be offered a monthly salary covering the living costs. 

What information is required for the application?

To be eligible, the application must include the following three attachments as a single pdf-file:

1. Motivation letter (max 1 page): describe your motivation to do research, explain what research topic interests you the most and why, and define an outstanding question in that field. Describe how the internship would benefit your future. In the letter, please also indicate whether you are applying for a scholarship to do research in a group at the University of Helsinki, or whether you are planning to use the scholarship to join a lab abroad.

2. CV, which includes research and other work experience (max 2 pages).

3. Most recent study transcript (which you can order in Sisu).  

Where can I start looking for research groups?

The webpages of University of Helsinki Life Science departments and research institutions are a good way to source what type of research is conducted. 

Institute of Biotechnology

Neuroscience Center

Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland

Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry

Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Medicine

Faculty of Pharmacy

Faculty of Science

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

A good way to find a suitable lab abroad is to check the corresponding authors of publications you find interesting.

How are the applications evaluated?

The applications will be scored independently by the members of the HiLIFE EDU committee. We look for curious, ambitious, independent, and self-reliant students. The committee will evaluate your previous success in studies and will pay special attention to your motivation letter. The best ranked applicants will be invited for an interview with the HiLIFE EDU committee. 

Who will be in the selection committee?

The HiLIFE EDU committee includes researchers from different HiLIFE units, representing different disciplines of life sciences.

What is expected of me if I am selected?

  • You are expected to directly contact the host research group of your interest after you have received a notice of your selection – not before (help is provided for this).
  • You will conduct a full-time research project for 4 months.
  • You need to adhere to the guidelines of your study programme in order to obtain credits.
  • You are expected to contribute to the programme social media outreach (Twitter, Instagram, HiLIFE Trainees Blog). 

 

Where can I get more information?

There will be an information event about the programme on Wednesday, 6 October 2021 at 15.00–16.00 via Zoom (https://helsinki.zoom.us/j/67660458355?pwd=eDN1cEJsdlFLa1ZJbit1VnBjWE9Mdz09). You may also send enquiries to hilife-edu@helsinki.fi.

Where and when can I apply?

Applications are to be sent as a single pdf file through the Mobility Online Portal. Application period is Sept 1 - Oct 15 2021. Late applications will not be considered.  

When will I know if I got selected?

You will be informed by November 15 if you have been selected for an interview. Interviews will be conducted during November 2021 and decisions on the awarded grants will be announced shortly after the interview. 

When should I conduct the internship?

The internships must be conducted by the end of December 2022.

What is HiLIFE?

HiLIFE is a new life science institute at the University of Helsinki established in 2017 supporting high quality research across campuses and life science faculties. HiLIFE builds on existing strengths and new recruits and partnerships to create an attractive international environment for solving grand challenges in health, food and the environment. HiLIFE operates across faculties that conduct research and education in life sciences. https://www.helsinki.fi/en/helsinki-institute-of-life-science/about