Returning researcher grant

There will be no application round in 2024!

What do we support?

We support the return to Estonia of researchers – Estonian citizens or current/former Estonian residents – who have been working outside Estonia. The prerequisites are postdoctoral fellowship or an equivalent level of research completed abroad.

What is the objective of the grant?

The grant is provided with the aim of balancing and encouraging brain circulation through returning researcher grants.

The Estonian state attaches importance both to international researchers coming to Estonia to work and to the return of Estonian researchers who have gone abroad to work, to facilitate the application of knowledge and experience acquired abroad in Estonia. In addition to balancing emigration, we contribute to ensuring the future growth of researchers and engineers.

What is the amount of the grant?

The grant amount for the 2023 call was 72 000 €/per year, regardless of the field of research.

The salary fund and mobility allowance include any taxes laid down in Estonian legislation.

How long is the grant period?

The minimum grant period was 12 months, and the maximum period 24 months.

Implementation of the returning researcher project commenced December 1, 2023. The grant period commenced on the date specified in the grant agreement.