Kunnallisalan kehittämissäätiö (KAKS) funds research and analysis that improves decision-making in Finnish municipalities, with a strong emphasis on practical relevance for local government rather than general academic theory. It regularly supports students, doctoral candidates, postdocs, and research teams, and also helps disseminate municipal-policy research through publication grants. Its largest awards go to applied research and development projects on topics like municipal governance, land-use planning, social and health services, and regional development.
Focus Areas
Municipal Governance and Public AdministrationLocal and Regional DevelopmentLand Use and Municipal PlanningSocial and Health Services in MunicipalitiesDoctoral and Postdoctoral Municipal ResearchResearch Publications and Policy Dissemination
Giving Approach
Structured, application-based grantmaking with two annual rounds (Jan 1-Feb 28 and Jul 1-Aug 31). Awards range from small thesis and travel grants to mid-sized dissertation/postdoc support and larger project grants for universities and research institutes; grants are typically one-time or fixed-term rather than open-ended.
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Apply in one of the two annual rounds and align the proposal tightly to municipal functions, local government, or regional development in Finland. Strong applications clearly explain practical use for municipalities, whether for a thesis, dissertation, research project, travel, or publication, and larger project grants appear to favor universities, research institutes, and municipal research collaborations.
Notable grantees:
• Tampereen yliopisto
• Itä-Suomen yliopisto
• Aalto-yliopisto
• Helsingin yliopisto
• Jarmo Pulkkinen
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Kunnallisalan kehittämissäätiö that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowCloses Aug 31, 2026Award: $40K – $90K
Tutkimushankkeiden rahoitus
kuntatutkimuskuntien tehtävätkunnallishallinto+6 more
Who can apply: Hakijan tulee hakea E-KAKS-järjestelmässä tutkimushanketta, joka liittyy kuntia koskevaan tutkimukseen. Tutkimusrahoitusta ei myönnetä kuntien normaaliin toimintaan tai investointeihin. Säätiön rahoitusosuus tutkimushankkeissa on yli 50 %, omarahoitusta ei edellytetä.
Deadline: Kaksi hakujaksoa vuodessa: 1.1.–28./29.2. ja 1.7.–31.8. Päätökset kesäkuussa ja joulukuussa.
kuntatutkimusyhteiskunnalliset keskustelunavauksetkunnallishallinto+1 more
Who can apply: Käsikirjoituksen tulee olla valmis julkaistavaksi ja sen tulee liittyä kuntien toimintaan tai kuntia koskevaan tutkimukseen. Hakemukseen liitetään ansioluettelo.
Deadline: Kaksi hakujaksoa vuodessa tutkimusapurahojen aikataulun mukaisesti; julkaisusarjoihin voi myös tehdä tarjouksia valmiista käsikirjoituksista.
Research travelConferences and fieldwork relevant to municipal studies
Who can apply: Researchers and students applying for travel funding for work relevant to municipalities; see application guidance for required documents.
Deadline: Two annual application rounds: Jan 1–Feb 28 and Jul 1–Aug 31.
Doctoral research relevant to municipalitiesAcademic research across disciplines relevant to local government
Who can apply: Doctoral candidates whose dissertation research is relevant to municipalities. Different lengths (1–3 years) with specified use and time limits.
Deadline: Two annual application rounds: Jan 1–Feb 28 and Jul 1–Aug 31.
Research and Development Grants (Tutkimushankkeet)
Municipalities and local governmentPublic administrationSocial and health services+3 more
Who can apply: Open to universities, research institutions and municipalities. Funding is not for municipalities' routine operations or investments. The foundation's share in research projects is typically over 50%; no own funding necessarily required.
Deadline: Two application rounds per year: Jan 1–Feb 28 (decisions published in June) and Jul 1–Aug 31 (decisions published in December).
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.