The University of Helsinki Doctoral School aims to ensure that as many doctoral researchers as possible are able to present their research finding at an international conference at least once during the four-year period. The research school's travel support does not cover expenses incurred from research, such as research visits or for archival or data collection trips.
The doctoral school call for travel support in spring 2024 was open from 29 January at 8.00 to 12 February 2024 at 16.00 (local Finnish time). The instructions below apply to the past call. The second travel support call for 2024 will be open from 19 August to 2 September, 2024, and the instructions will be updated during the spring.
Applicants will be informed of funding decisions through email by the end of March. No feedback is given on applications.
Eligibility
Applications are accepted from doctoral researchers studying in a doctoral programme under the University of Helsinki Doctoral School and holding a valid right to study.
Travel support may be requested for conference travel. In your application, explain the necessity of your trip expressly for your doctoral thesis.
Information given in the application will be verified, as applicable, from Thessa. Please ensure that the required thesis committee meetings have been held and annual reports are up to date before the application period ends.
Eligibility requirements:
- The applicant holds the right to complete a doctoral degree in a University of Helsinki doctoral programme.
- The applicant has registered as an attending student at the time of application.
- The applicant’s Thessa account is up to date: the required annual reports have been submitted and thesis committee meetings held by the end of the application period.
- The applicant’s poster or oral presentation has been accepted, or is under consideration, for the relevant conference.
In addition, priority will be given to applicants meeting the following requirements:
- The applicant received no travel support from the doctoral school or a doctoral programme in 2023.
- The applicant has completed at least 50% of their doctoral thesis by the application deadline.
- The applicant will attend an international conference outside Finland.
If the applicant has submitted several applications, only the most recent will be assessed.
Supported travel
Applicants may receive funding to cover the costs of conference travel if their oral presentation or poster has been accepted for the relevant conference or is under consideration. State in your application whether your conference presentation or poster has been approved or submitted. Travel costs will not be reimbursed until the applicant has received confirmation of their presentation or poster.
If your poster or presentation is not accepted as intended, you should withdraw your travel support. A travel support awarded but not used in this way will not prevent you from receiving a travel support in the next application. It is also possible to withdraw a travel support after it has been awarded if the trip is cancelled for any other reason. Participation fees, flights and accommodation will only be paid once the planned trip has been confirmed.
The University of Helsinki travel policy must be followed. No financial support is granted for travel to Ukraine, Belarus or Russia. University recommendations and instructions applying to the war in Ukraine .
Trips supported may begin on 1 January 2024 at the earliest and must end by 31 December 2024. Financial support cannot be delayed to 2025.
If no special grounds exist, travel support must be used for the travel applied for and awarded on the basis of applications. In exceptional circumstances, the doctoral school may accept the use of travel support for another trip if equivalent to the original. The change of destination must not increase travel costs. If you wish to use your travel support for another trip, please contact the doctoral school coordinators (uhds-office@helsinki.fi).
Reimbursed expenses
Travel support covers the following:
- Per diem allowances*
- Participation fees
- Travel and accommodation costs in accordance with the University of Helsinki travel policy
- Other necessary travel expenses, such as visas or poster printing costs
*Per diems are payable only to University of Helsinki staff. Applicants not employed by the University will receive travel support in the form of a grant.
Applicants must present a realistic cost estimate including per diems and other travel expenses in accordance with the University of Helsinki travel policy.
Successful applicants will receive instructions on the payment of travel support. Further information on other travel supports is available on the Instructions for Students website.