Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology is a foundation established by Finnish industry. Its goal is to support the scientific research and teaching of technical disciplines at the Aalto University Schools of technology.
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Collaboration between the Aalto University schools of technology and the industry
The Aalto University schools of technology – School of Chemical Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Science – provide higher education and carry out scientific research in nearly all fields of technology. The departments of the schools have a highly-educated and goal-oriented research staff, and they are equipped with cutting-edge research equipment that meets the needs of both research and product development.
Each year, the schools of technology produce approximately 1 000 master's theses and 150 licentiate theses and doctoral dissertations. Many of the theses are directly applicable to the needs of industry. In addition, all departments carry out contract research commissioned by industrial companies, to whom it is an economically advantageous option.
The Foundation supports
Foundation for Aalto University Science and Technology supports the scientific research and teaching of technical disciplines at the Aalto University schools of technology. In recent years, the Foundation has co-financed approximately 200 doctoral dissertations, licentiate theses and master’s theses of the schools of technology with the help of industry-donated funds.
Research co-financed by the Foundation is advantageous for the grant recipients, because the Foundation grants are tax-free income provided their amount does not exceed that of the State Grant for Artists (20 309,40 eur in 2017).
Industry finances
The grants awarded by the Foundation are mostly funded by Finnish industrial companies, who may direct their gift to the Foundation to be used for research in a field of technology of their choice. This way, the gift and the research funded by it will support that field of technology which is the most important for the operations of the donating company.
Supporting research through the foundation provides industry a cost-effective way of gaining the basic knowledge they need for the development of production and products. In accordance with the Section 57 of the act on income tax (1535/1992), a gift of EUR 850–50.000 made to the Foundation for the purpose of promoting science is tax-deductible for the giving community. Naturally, the Foundation also accepts gifts exceeding the tax-deductible limit.
How does it work?
The donor decides on the gift, submits the deed of gift to the Foundation and pays the gift sum. The Foundation directs the funds to the field of technology chosen by the donor: 80% as a thesis grant, 10% to the advising professor’s research area and 10% to the Foundation’s administration. The student makes a grant application. Since grant award decisions are made once a month, grant recipients can get their research underway without long delays.
Foundation Office
Details on the Foundation operations, directing the gifts, and related practical arrangements are given by the Foundation Office: annakaija.halonen [at] aalto [dot] fi, tel. 050 400 9988.
Meeting times of the Foundation
The grant award decisions are made by the working committee of the Foundation Board, convening once a month during semesters, save for July. Please note our office is closed in July. The meeting dates of the working committee for autumn term 2018 are:
- 29 August 2018
- 26 September 2018
- 22 October 2018
- 28 November 2018
- 17 December 2018
The deed of gift and the grant application must be submitted to the Foundation office no later than one week before the meeting.