Finland and the United States share a strong commitment to science and technology cooperation, and educational exchanges. The long-term welfare and competitiveness of countries are based on their ability to innovate, and innovation requires a strong scientific foundation. Finland’s science diplomacy strives to ensure that its scientific innovation systems connect with the best countries and institutions around the world. The benefits of these connections are mutual. The recent Joint Committee Meeting monitoring the Finland-U.S. Science and Technology Agreement emphasized that the continued scientific engagement and people-to-people ties between Finland and the U.S. not only propel both economies forward, but also lead toward a more resilient future for all citizens.
The Fulbright Finland Foundation’s science diplomacy programs and educational exchanges are a key framework in the broader Finnish-U.S. relationship. Since its inception in 1949, the Foundation’s programs have produced a binational community of over 6,100 alumni who have played significant roles in research, higher education, and the societies at large. From its modest beginning as a U.S.-Finland program designed to reinvest Finland’s post-WWI loan payments in the country’s future, the Foundation has developed into the primary interface for the two governments’ bilateral work in education, science, and culture. It now serves as the platform for a wide range of transatlantic collaborations and dialogues between scientists, educators, research institutions, NGOs, and companies. Private foundations have also begun to financially underwrite awards through long-term partnerships with the Foundation to help develop and sustain these collaborations.
Science is a powerful force in solving pressing global challenges, and transcending the barriers between nations. Science diplomacy brings together diverse actors from different sectors and disciplines to address global, regional, and national issues that one country cannot solve alone. In alignment with shared values, the Finnish-U.S. collaboration focuses on advancing responsible innovation to address global challenges. The Fulbright Finland Foundation operates award programs in all fields, with special opportunities under current themes that are strategically important to both countries, such as emerging technologies, global security, climate change, the Arctic, and public health.
Given the magnitude of the challenges of our time, however, a much broader engagement in science diplomacy is necessary than is currently the case. The input and participation of established scholars, early career scientists, and students, across all disciplines, along with NGO leaders and professionals, is critical to help improve the outcomes. This calls for a robust expansion of the Foundation’s programs.
To ensure that the transatlantic exchange is a successful investment for all stakeholders, all Foundation awards come with extensive expert support services, orientation trainings, and network support by program alumni. This enhances the impact of the exchanges and facilitates the development of long-term linkages.
The need for a significantly higher volume of exchanges of knowledge and professional talent between Finland and the U.S. has been voiced recently by both governments. Higher demand is also expressed by researchers, students, professionals, and their institutions. Increased collaboration is in the interest of all stakeholders, and the need to expand the exchanges is evident. However, the constraint is funding. Sustainable, long-term, core funding from the two governments as the founding partners is critical to ensure and build the future. Finnish-U.S. exchanges are, as they should be, a joint effort.
The global higher education, research, and innovation environment is constantly changing. In this rapidly evolving environment, the exchange of talent and knowledge must keep changing and adapting as well. The ability and agility to act amid change is crucial. The year 2024 marks the 75th anniversary of the Finnish-U.S. exchanges through the Fulbright Finland Foundation. Building on its long history and institutional knowledge, while operating with the mentality of a start-up, the Foundation provides a dynamic platform for even broader Finnish-U.S. collaboration. It is time to take full advantage of this joint platform and scale up the exchanges.
The time to invest in the future is now.
CEO
Fulbright Finland Foundation
Finland
