Karjalaisen Kulttuurin Edistämissäätiö (KKES) is a regional Finnish grantmaker that supports research, arts, and other forms of Karelian cultural activity, with a strong emphasis on North Karelia and South Karelia. It also backs young people of North Karelian background pursuing degrees, making it a mix of cultural preservation funder and student scholarship provider. Its grants are typically modest to mid-sized and awarded through annual application rounds, with some funding also directed through named sub-funds for very specific purposes.
Annual Giving$600K
Focus Areas
Karelian History and Cultural ResearchHumanities Doctoral and Postdoctoral ResearchKarelian Folk Culture and Heritage ActivitiesRegional Arts and Artist Working GrantsNorth Karelian Student ScholarshipsSpecial-Purpose Named Funds (e.g., military music, defense, medicine)
Giving Approach
Annual open calls with fixed deadlines; research and cultural grants are usually applied for in November for the following year, while student scholarships are applied for in May for the next academic year. Grants are generally small to mid-sized (€850–€30,000), with the largest awards going to 12-month artist working grants and research fellowships.
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How to approach this funder
Plan ahead for the annual cycle: research and cultural applications are typically due 1–30 November, and student scholarship applications 1–31 May. Tailor proposals to Karelian themes, regional impact in North/South Karelia, or the specific purpose of a named fund; applicants in arts and research should clearly show scholarly, cultural, or heritage relevance.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Karjalaisen Kulttuurin Edistämissäätiö that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses in 5 days (May 31, 2026)Award: $850 – $2K
Opiskeluapurahat (Study grants / scholarships)
Toisen asteen ammatillinen koulutusKorkeakoulu- ja yliopisto-opinnotVaihto-opiskelun kulut
Who can apply: Hakijan tulee olla pohjoiskarjalaista syntyperää oleva nuori (18–30 v.) ja suorittaa tutkintoa ammattiopistossa, ammattikorkeakoulussa tai yliopistossa. Ei myönnetä peruskoulu-, lukio- tai jatko-opintoihin. Väinölä-rahastosta poikkeuksia vienankarjalaisille.
Deadline: Haettavina vuosittain 1.–31.5. seuraavaa lukuvuotta varten.
Who can apply: Awarded annually to a printed fiction or essayistic nonfiction work published between November 1 of the previous year and October 31 of the current year, by an author with a strong North Karelian connection or to a work that supports Karelian identity and history. The book must be published by a commercial publisher.
Deadline: Publishers may enter works by the end of August each year; submissions use the competition process rather than a public grant portal.
Who can apply: Open to individuals and, in some cases, research groups. The research must relate to humanities or closely related fields and focus on regional or spiritual Karelia. Applications must be submitted in Finnish. The application must identify the university and faculty/department when relevant.
cultural activityKarelian heritagearts and culture+4 more
Who can apply: Open annually in November for projects in the following calendar year. Cultural hobby grants are available to organizations, associations, and working groups in North and South Karelia; artists' working grants are available to professional artists residing in North or South Karelia. Applications must be in Finnish and submitted electronically.
Deadline: November each year; decisions by the end of February
KulttuuriharrastustoimintaKarjalainen perinne ja kulttuuriTaiteilijoiden työskentely ja ammatillinen toiminta+1 more
Who can apply: Kulttuuriyhdistykset, yhteisöt ja työryhmät Pohjois- ja Etelä-Karjalasta; taiteilijoiden työskentelyapurahat maksetaan alueella asuville ammatillisille taiteilijoille; työskentelyapurahakaudella hakijalla ei saa olla päätoimista palkka- tai eläketuloa.
Deadline: Kaikki kulttuuritoiminnan apurahat haettavina kerran vuodessa marraskuussa seuraavan kalenterivuoden hankkeisiin.
Humanistiset alatKarjalan historia ja kulttuuriVäitöskirjat ja post doc -tutkimukset+1 more
Who can apply: Hakemukset tulee tehdä suomenkielisinä; hakemuksesta tulee ilmetä yliopisto ja tiedekunta/laitos; tutkimussuunnitelma ja hakijan CV vaaditaan. Puutteellisia hakemuksia ei oteta käsittelyyn.
Deadline: Haku kerran vuodessa 1.–30.11. seuraavan vuoden tai seuraavana vuonna alkaviin tutkimushankkeisiin.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.