Idman Foundation donates €1 million annually to Tampere University
In the coming years, the ability to educate professionals to meet evolving needs will be critical to Finland’s competitiveness. Likewise, the integration of international students will play a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of a skilled workforce.
The G. R. Idman and K. G. Idman Foundation has supported students in and around Tampere since 1962. The Foundation is now seeking to further support international students at Tampere University in connecting with employers and integrating into the Tampere region, both during and after their studies. In addition, the Foundation aims to provide more Tampere University students with opportunities to study abroad.
“Through this donation, we want to strengthen the competitiveness of the Tampere region and Finland as a whole. The development of expertise and international education play a key role in these efforts,” says Ilkka Kaakkolammi, CEO of the Idman Foundation.
Tampere University is delighted to receive the donation.
“We greatly appreciate the Idman Foundation’s generous support. This contribution will enable us to strengthen collaboration between our international students, companies and communities, while facilitating smoother transitions from university to working life. In addition, we can now further encourage our students to develop their knowledge and skills through study at leading international universities,” says Keijo Hämäläinen, President of Tampere University.
In total, the Idman Foundation’s contribution will amount to €1 million annually, divided between two types of grants: thesis grants and study abroad grants.
New grant supports international students in building employer contacts in Finland
The new thesis grant encourages international students to complete their master’s thesis in close collaboration with a company or other organisation. This collaboration will expand international students’ professional networks, provide practical thesis topics and improve employment prospects after graduation.
Thesis grants are intended for international master’s students in all fields of study at Tampere University. The grant may be awarded to master’s students who have completed a bachelor’s degree at Tampere University or Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK). The grant is preliminarily planned to amount to €5,000 per student, with approximately €500,000 allocated on an annual basis.
The detailed application requirements are currently being prepared, and the first call for applications will open in the early autumn of 2026.
New expertise through international study
The second category of funding from the Idman Foundation increases opportunities for Tampere University students to undertake studies abroad. Study abroad grants are available to students who have completed bachelor-level studies at Tampere University or TAMK. Doctoral students are not eligible.
The grant offers students the opportunity to develop their expertise, build international networks and strengthen their position in the labour market. At the same time, the outgoing students will showcase Tampere University’s expertise and enhance its visibility at international universities.
Students will be able to apply for admission to world-leading universities of their choice, including institutions outside Tampere University’s existing partner network. This flexibility allows them to pursue specialist expertise that is not available in Finland or within Tampere University’s current network of partners.
The number and value of individual grants have not been determined in advance, as costs vary widely between countries and universities. The grant may be used to cover, for example, tuition fees, travel costs and living expenses. Around €500,000 has been preliminarily allocated annually for study abroad grants. The first call for applications will open in the spring of 2027.
More information and the application instructions will be published in the Student’s Guide in the autumn of 2026.
Enquiries:
Idman Foundation
CEO Ilkka Kaakkolammi, ilkka.kaakkolammi [at] idmaninsaatio.fi (ilkka[dot]kaakkolammi[at]idmaninsaatio[dot]fi), Tel. +358 50 4141 273
Tampere University
President Keijo Hämäläinen, keijo.hamalainen [at] tuni.fi (keijo[dot]hamalainen[at]tuni[dot]fi), Tel. +358 29 453 2107
Manager of International Affairs Minna Haka-Risku, minna.haka-risku [at] tuni.fi (minna[dot]haka-risku[at]tuni[dot]fi), Tel. +358 40 8490 483
