Researchers and grant recipients in Finland

If you do postgraduate studies, research or artistic activities on a grant, you must make sure you are insured for your grant-funded work. The rules depend on whether you get your grant from Finland or another country and where the work or research takes place. Åland is counted as part of Finland.

If you get a grant from Finland for scientific research or artistic activity that takes place in Finland, you must take out statutory pension and accident insurance. In Finland, statutory pension and accident insurance cover for grant recipients is arranged by the Farmers' Social Insurance Institution (Mela).

If you do research work, artistic work or postgraduate studies in Finland on a Finnish grant insured under the Farmers’ Pension Act, you are entitled to Finnish social security and benefits from the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (Kela) for the period of your grant work or postgraduate studies.

If you work in another country on a Finnish grant, you need to check the status of your insurance cover separately. Coverage is valid if you are covered by Finnish social security while working abroad. You will need to apply for an A1 certificate from the Finnish Centre for Pensions to verify whether you are covered by Finnish social security while working in an EU/EEA country or a country with which Finland has a social security agreement. If you work in a country other than in the EU or EEA, Switzerland or the UK, contact Kela. 

If, in addition to a grant, you receive a salary from a foreign entity, you are covered by social security in your country of employment. Read more on the page Which country's social security system are you covered by?

Grant from Finland, working abroad?

If you are working in another country on a Finnish grant, you need to check separately with Mela that you can keep your insurance cover. Coverage is valid if the grant recipient is still covered by Finnish social security while working abroad. The decision as to whether a person is covered by Finnish social security is made either by the Finnish Centre for Pensions or Kela.

If, in addition to a grant, you are receiving a salary from a foreign entity, you are covered by social security in your country of employment.

Recipients of grants from other countries cannot get pension insurance from Mela. If you are the recipient of a grant from another country but you live in Finland, you need to contact the institution responsible for pension insurance in your country of departure.