Funding for media Research and Education

C. V. Åkerlund media foundation awards grants and project funding for research and development related to the media sector, as well as for strengthening professional competence in the field of media.

Each year, grants amounting to several hundred thousand euros are awarded. We fund, for example:

• doctoral dissertations and research projects

• Master’s theses

• advanced professional studies

• targeted training projects

• book projects

Our funding principles outline the themes we particularly encourage applicants to address in their proposals.

Application rounds

The foundation has two application rounds each year.

March call (general call)

• Individual grants

• Projects (two-stage application process)

• Decisions in May

August call

• Projects (two-stage application process)

• A new individual grant for thesis completion

• Decisions in October

Exact schedules are published on our website and social media channels.

General Terms for Applications and Decisions

• The funded project must have a connection to Finland and benefit the Finnish media sector.
• For projects, overhead costs can be a maximum of 15% of the total costs (calculated without personnel costs) and the costs must be presented realistically.
• Grants are not awarded for equipment or software purchases.
• To ensure a fair and confidential evaluation process, the board does not give individual justifications for its funding decisions, and the experts remain anonymous.
• We’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions on our application page. We welcome suggestions and feedback to help improve the application process.

Kindly note that while the application form is in Finnish, applications may also be submitted in English.

The C. V. Åkerlund media foundation supports projects that promote the vitality, research, competence, and pluralistic dialogue of the media industry. Below are the Foundation’s current funding priorities:

Strengthening fact-based and diverse journalism.

We support projects that strengthen journalists’ ability to produce in-depth, diverse, and reliable journalism. This includes research and education that enhances journalistic tools and methods. We are also committed to supporting the career development and skills of young journalists and other media professionals.

Renewing storytelling, information gathering and visual expression.

We fund training and research that develop rich language use, narrative techniques, and communication across media.

Promoting responsible journalism.

We especially welcome initiatives that support the ethical use of artificial intelligence and data in journalism.

Developing a deeper understanding of audiences and a meaningful presence across different platforms.

We support projects that improve engagement with audiences across different platforms. We value actions that build public trust and promote accountability and transparency in journalism.

The C. V. Åkerlund media foundation is a non-profit organization guided by a clear strategy and the principles laid out in Finnish foundation law. We actively listen to media professionals and experts and continuously improve our funding processes and communications.

Mission and Vision

The Foundation’s mission is to promote expertise and research in the media sector, foster diverse public debate, and strengthen the vitality of journalism. Our vision is to be a recognised and respected developer of expertise and research in the media sector.

Our Values

We are guided by:

• Freedom of expression is a fundamental right, and the Foundation is committed to strengthening and defending it in all its forms.
• Open-mindedness means encouraging bold thinking, challenging established ways of thinking and seeking new perspectives through diverse partnerships.
• Responsibility means keeping our promises while taking ecological, social, cultural and economic sustainability into account.

How We Operate

The foundation awards annual grants and scholarships. Activities are funded by annual dividend income, and we follow the principles of good governance. Read more about good governance and funding priorities.

Board of the Foundation 2026

Members of the board are Anne Leppäjärvi, Hanna Listenmaa, Sonja Saarikoski, Olli Seuri, Silja Tenhunen, Mikko Toikkonen, and Tanu-Matti Tuominen. You can find their presentations here.

Executive Director

Päivi Myllykangas continues as Executive Director, having started on July 1, 2024.