Academic researchers can now apply for the support programme that has enabled the mobility of Finnish performing artists for four years already.
TelepART is the Finnish Cultural and Academic Institutes’ mobility support programme that welcomes applications on a rolling basis. TelepART, established in 2016, is expanding to incorporate academic researchers. TelepART-tiede is intended for early and mid-career researchers. Grants are available to cover travel and accommodation costs.
‘TelepART-tiede (science/research in Finnish) presents a flexible funding opportunity for researchers. This form of funding empowers especially young researchers to pursue their research internationally. In addition to conference participation, I hope TelepART-tiede encourages transnational research collaboration’,” says Irina Piippo, Director of The Finnish Institute in the Middle East.
TelepART-tiede welcomes applications from researchers of any academic discipline working at Finnish universities or research institutes. Applicants should have an active participatory role, for instance presenting a paper at a conference, to support their application. Available grants amount to a maximum of €1000.
‘TelepART is probably Finland’s most flexible mobility support programme. The online application process is open on a rolling basis. The applicant receives their funding decision within two weeks. This, in turn, allows applicants to take advantage of international opportunities at short notice,” says Emilie Gardberg, Director of the Finnish Institute in London.
TelepART is a collaboration between 10 cultural and academic institutes and can be utilised for work in 48 countries. The programme is funded by the Wihuri Foundation for International Prizes and the Finnish Ministry of Education and Culture.
The funding programme was started by The Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux in response to a survey examining obstacles to the internationalisation of Finnish performing arts in the Benelux region. Responses revealed that the greatest obstacle for programming Finnish performances for events were Finnish performers’ travel and accommodation costs. In other words, Finland’s geographical location was a significant deterrent to accessing international opportunities.
“It’s great that a programme addressing a specific institute’s needs has grown to such a large scale through the network of institutes. The support serves Finnish artists, local arts organisations as well as international artists performing in Finland. It’s been amazing to witness the growth of an international network through the programme!” says Kati Laakso, Director of the Finnish Cultural Institute for the Benelux.
TelepART has been exceptionally successful in supporting Finnish artists transnational networking and career progression. According to Institutes’ follow-up studies, the support afforded by TelepART funding quadrupled in value through artists’ performance fees and job opportunities abroad.
“TelepART has shown in only a few years that professional development and international networking can be supported with a proportionately small financial contribution. The impact of this support in the fields of arts, culture and science is extensive and significant,” says Laura Hirvi, the director of The Finnish Institute in Germany.
The institutes adhere to Covid-19 related mobility restrictions and recommendations and funding can’t be granted against these guidelines.
More information: https://www.applytelepart.com/
TelepART application form for research-related travel between Finland and the UK or Finland and Ireland can be found here.
Photo: Mia Bergius: The Finnish Lumo Company performed at Jacksons Lane, London, in October 2018.
