The Fund is devoted to promoting and developing the arts, the sciences, and other fields of endeavour in North Ostrobothnia – by providing grants and awards and organising other activities in the region’s 38 municipalities, some of which are shared with the Central Ostrobothnia Regional Fund.
The Fund’s activities and decision-making are impartial and not linked to political parties or other organisations or associations. Grants made by the Fund are decided by an 11-member Administrative Council representing a wide range of expertise and knowledge in the arts, the sciences, society, and business in the region.
North Ostrobothnia Grants
The North Ostrobothnia Regional Fund comprises a General Fund and donor funds based on private and public donations and bequests. Grants made from the latter, which bear the name of the donor if they wish, are directed towards areas specified by the donor when making his or her bequest. Areas not covered by this procedure are supported from the general funds.
The grants of the regional fund January application round are divided into working and expenditure grants. In addition to these, grants will be awarded for special purposes.
We strongly encourage our applicants from creative fields to trust their own visions and researchers to offer novel openings.
January application round
Discover Science
We will award one million euros to science education for children and youth in the January 2025 application round. The Discover Science Grant aims to spark the curiosity of school-aged children and youth to engage with science and ensure equal access to science education regardless of their place of residence or background.
Donor Funds
The grants are awarded from a general fund and those donor funds open for application in the next round:
- The Oulu Student Fund
- Marja-Leena ja Seppo Pyhtinen Fund
- Karl Ivar Rinne Fund
- Fanny ja Yrjö Similä Fund
- Aino Soilis Fund
The municipalities in the North Ostrobothnia Fund's region
Haapavesi, Hailuoto, Ii, Kempele, Kuusamo, Kärsämäki, Liminka, Lumijoki, Merijärvi, Muhos, Oulainen, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Pyhäjoki, Pyhäntä, Raahe, Siikajoki, Siikalatva, Taivalkoski, Tyrnävä, Utajärvi and Vaala.
Municipalities shared with the Central Ostrobothnia Fund:
Alavieska, Haapajärvi, Kalajoki, Nivala, Pyhäjärvi, Reisjärvi, Sievi and Ylivieska.
The municipalities in the North Ostrobothnia Fund's region
Haapavesi, Hailuoto, Ii, Kempele, Kuusamo, Kärsämäki, Liminka, Lumijoki, Merijärvi, Muhos, Oulainen, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Pyhäjoki, Pyhäntä, Raahe, Siikajoki, Siikalatva, Taivalkoski, Tyrnävä, Utajärvi and Vaala.
Municipalities shared with the Central Ostrobothnia Fund:
Alavieska, Haapajärvi, Kalajoki, Nivala, Pyhäjärvi, Reisjärvi, Sievi and Ylivieska.
The administrative committee
Chair
Pauliina Eronen, Project Manager
Vice Chair
Tuula Aitto-oja, cultural producer (retired)
Samuli Hannula, Specialist, Docent
Hannu-Tapani Hirvelä, Principal Lecturer
Mirja Illikainen, Professor
Taija Jyrkäs, Producer
Antti Kaarlela, Film Producer
Juhana Lassila, Deputy CEO
Petri Sahlström, Professor of Accounting and Finance
Esa Virkkula, Associate Professor, PhD
Contact information about North Ostrobothnia Regional Fund
Jari Sivonen
Manager
North Ostrobothnia
Piia Hietanen
Coordinator
Central Ostrobothnia, North Ostrobothnia
