Fulbright Finland

In May, Fulbright Finland alumni from every decade since the 1970s came together to reconnect and celebrate the continued success and impact of Finnish–U.S. exchanges.

Each year, numerous U.S. alumni return to Finland from across the Atlantic, to what they often describe as their “second home.” To bring them together with alumni and grantees based in Finland, the Fulbright Finland Foundation, in collaboration with volunteers from the ASLA-Fulbright Alumni Association Board, organized a Homecoming Alumni Event. The gathering offered a chance to revisit shared experiences while building new connections across generations of Fulbrighters.

The Homecoming was particularly special as it coincided with several major milestones. This year is the 80th anniversary of the global Fulbright Program, and we also celebrated 50 years of the Fulbright Bicentennial Chair in North American Studies – the oldest Fulbright Distinguished Chair worldwide. It was wonderful to welcome fifteen former Bicentennial Chairs from the U.S. to the event!

Thank you to everyone who joined us!

Read more about the event in the latest Fulbright Finland News magazine: https://www.fulbright.fi/news-magazine/homecoming

Photos: Studio Terho Photography

Enjoy the latest issue of the Fulbright Finland News Magazine!

Our visiting columnist, Minister of Economic Affairs Sakari Puisto highlights Finland’s strengths in technology, research, and engineering talent. He emphasizes that international research collaboration and academic exchange create lasting value, and underscores Fulbright Finland’s role in expanding opportunities for Finnish researchers to work with U.S. partners, including in fields where Finland is a global leader.

In our Alumni in Focus series, Civil Engineer Erika Holt reflects on her career path from concrete durability research to global nuclear waste management, and on Fulbright’s role in building the connections that make long-term collaboration possible.

Topics in this issue also include:
⭐️ Shared Vision for Global Education - Strengthening the partnership between Indiana University Indianapolis and Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
⭐️ From Hemlocks to High School Labs: New Ideas Shaping Science Education
⭐️ The Human Advantage in the Age of AI
⭐️ Learning from Finland’s Approach to Nuclear Waste
⭐️ Homecoming - Fulbright Finland alumni got together to celebrate the continued success and impact of Finnish–U.S. exchanges.

And much more!

Read the magazine online: https://www.fulbright.fi/fulbright-finland-news-issues

Warm welcome back to Finland Leah Beeferman, Friends of Fulbright Finland Alumni Enrichment Awardee!

If you wish to connect with Leah, she will be working with her artist colleagues at Bioart Society and hosting a screening of video works and artist talk event at the Bioart Society’s SOLU space on Sunday, June 7, 17:00–19:00.

For more information about Leah and other 2025-26 Fulbright Finland Foundation awardees, see our website: https://www.fulbright.fi/about-us/grantees

What makes the Fulbright Finland community so special is the willingness of its members to give back. 💙

This year, a record number of alumni joined us at the sixth annual Friends of Fulbright Finland Welcome Event to help orient our newest U.S. grantees to life in Finland.

Thank you to the Friends of Fulbright Finland Alumni Council and Welcome Network members for sharing your wisdom, experiences, and encouragement as we welcomed the next generation into the Fulbright Finland community!

Fulbright Finland Foundation Awards Ceremony and Reception in honor of the 2026-27 Finnish Awardees to the U.S., the 2025-26 U.S. Awardees in Finland, and the 80th Anniversary of the Global Fulbright Program was organized at the Helsinki City Hall on Tuesday, May 12.

Remarks on behalf of the two governments were delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher Karber and Minister of Education Anders Adlercreutz.

The highlights of the evening included musical performances by violinist and Fulbright Finland alumna Vivian Stolt and violinist Juliana Pöyry.

The event was hosted by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland and the City of Helsinki.

Photos: Studio Terho Photography / Fulbright Finland Foundation

Tomorrow, we welcome 24 new leaders and citizen diplomats to the community of over 6 400 alumni of the Fulbright Finland Foundation!

The grantees' projects range from next-generation electronics, forensic chemistry, and Arctic resources and infrastructures, to cancer research, innovations in healthcare, and sustainability and environmental management.

Check out the CV catalog and learn more about these changemakers and their innovative projects: https://www.fulbright.fi/about-us/grantees

Alumni, check your inbox! 💌

The latest Fulbright Finland Alumni message landed in your email yesterday, make sure you’ve received it. The message includes exciting opportunities to reconnect, collaborate, and grow your network.

Highlights include e.g.:
💙 Homecoming Alumni Event - sign up by May 3! Read more about the event: https://www.fulbright.fi/about-us/events/homecoming-alumni-event
💙 Fulbright Buddy Program - become a Buddy for an incoming U.S. Fulbright Finland grantee: https://www.fulbright.fi/join-fulbright-finland-alumni-community/opportunities-alumni-finland/asla-fulbright-alumni-association/fulbright-buddy-program
💙 Call for New FoFF Alumni Council members - join the Council and help shape the future of Friends of Fulbright Finland network: https://www.fulbright.fi/friends-fulbright-finland/friends-fulbright-finland-alumni-council

You’ll also find information on upcoming events, and, of course, inspiring alumni stories and accomplishments!

Didn't receive the message? Make sure your contact details are up to date: https://forms.office.com/e/cyy9xtka58

During the 2025-26 academic year, our U.S. grantees have already reached more than 1700 people across Finland through the Fulbright Speaker Program!

From Rovaniemi to Helsinki, and from 1st graders to undergraduate students and university faculty, a record number of audiences have enjoyed talks and guest lectures by 2025-26 U.S. Fulbright Finland grantees.

Thank you to our grantees for their enthusiastic participation, and to the schools and organizations that welcomed them and made these visits possible. 💙

Interested in enriching your lessons or events? Read more about the Fulbright Speaker Program and invite a U.S. Fulbright Finland grantee to give a talk 👉 https://www.fulbright.fi/internationalization-services/fulbright-speaker-program

Photos:
1) Marc Noble at Gymnasiet Lärkan in Helsinki
2) Allegra Midgette at Juhani Aho School in Iisalmi
3) Emily Boyett at Nurmijärvi Upper Secondary School

Kehitä ammattitaitoasi Yhdysvalloissa lukuvuoden 2026-27 aikana!

Hae ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development -ohjelmaan, toteuta oma ammatillinen projektisi yhdysvaltalaisessa isäntäorganisaatiossa ja tuo uutta osaamista alallesi Suomeen. 💡

Lue lisää apurahaohjelmasta ja hae viimeistään 1.10.2026 👉 https://www.fulbright.fi/fin-mcpd

Alumni Maija Urposen vinkit hakuprosessiin löydät täältä:
https://www.practicalhumanities.net/license-to-explore-my-alt-ac-story-and-three-top-tips-for-professional-fulbright-applicants/

ASLA-Fulbright Mid-Career Professional Development Grant | Fulbright Finland Foundation The MCPD-program offers Finnish Mid-Career professionals of various fields the possibility to travel to the U.S. for 3-12 months to conduct professional development projects that bring something new to their field at large.