Frequently asked questions

No, unfortunately, there is no separate residency grant for researchers or non-fiction writers. The open call is for professional artists. However, researchers and non-fiction writers who have already been awarded funding from Kone Foundation can request a residency at the Saari Residence by contacting residency director.. You can read more about Kone Foundation grants HERE.

Yes, it is possible to work at the Saari Residence during the individual residency with a work partner. In a group residency, the workgroup must comprise at least three persons. If you would like to work at the Saari Residence during the individual residency periods with a work partner, you must apply for a residency using the same application form.

Yes, but you must explain this requirement in the application. Keep in mind, however, that the Residence has a limited number of apartments suitable for families, and the residency is primarily for artists working in residence. Also, it is the parents’ responsibility to organise childcare while they work.

Individual residencies include an apartment, workspace and monthly grant.

Individual residency grant classifications are:

  • €2,700 / month (early career)
  • €3,200 / month (mid-career, min. 10 years of artistic work)
  • €3,800 / month (experienced, min. 20 years of artistic work).

The size of the monthly grant varies depending on experience. If you apply for grant 2 or 3, please describe your career phase on the application form. The grant classification cannot be justified, e.g., with the need for supplies or travels. The grant is intended for living and travel expenses as well as other costs. Working and living at the Residence is a prerequisite for receiving the grant.

If you are granted a residency place, you must also inform the Saari Residence office of any other working grant received simultaneously. In such cases, a reduced monthly grant is paid, usually half of the grant sum.

Each member of a group working in residence is awarded a grant, and this is calculated according to the number of weeks they spend there. The sum is 750 euros / week, based on individual residency monthly grant category 2 (€3,000). Groups can also apply for support for travel and ecological travel.

We recommend naming all the members of the workgroup. We do understand, however, that this is not always possible; therefore you may also apply for grants for unnamed members of the workgroup. In such cases, please use placeholders in the application, such as “dancer NN”, “lighting designer NN”, etc.

The online application service is open only during the application period. Applications cannot be submitted before or after the application period. Please wait until 1 March, when the online application service opens.

Once you have submitted your application, its status will change to “Application received” and within a week of the deadline it will update to “Application under evaluation”.

No, we do not accept attachments sent by mail or email. All necessary attachments are to be uploaded to the online application system and attached to the application. The file format should be PDF. The maximum size of one file is 6 MB. Remember to select the file type from the drop-down list on the online application form.

You may also provide a link to a webpage, video platform or other online portfolio or demonstration of your work. Remember to select the link type from the drop-down list.

The recommendation is not required, but it may have a significant impact when evaluating two applicants of equal merit or ones working in similar fields or on similar themes and subject matters.

Recommendation letters must be sent using the online service by 27 March, 4 p.m. Finnish time, at the latest. After this, the recommendation service will close and will not accept any more submissions. Only recommendations sent during the application period will be considered.

The best way to provide a recommendation is through the link provided, which is sent directly to the recommendation from the application. If you receive a paper copy, please scan and attach it to your application as a PDF.

Yes, you may apply for more than one residency spot (individual or group residency). This must be mentioned in each application in the section Other funding.

No. Applications are submitted via the online service. Only applications sent via the online service are considered.

We prefer that Finnish-speaking applicants or a group consisting entirely of Finnish speakers submit their applications and attachments in Finnish. If a Finnish-speaking applicant or a group consisting entirely of Finnish speakers is submitting an application in English, they must write the summary in Finnish. Otherwise, the application should be submitted in English.

Please create a new account with your new email.

The application period ends on 27 March at 4 p.m., Finnish time (EEST, GMT +2).

The decisions are announced in mid-June, and we will announce the specific date closer to that the time. We will send an email to all the grant applicants informing them of either a negative or positive decision. In addition, grant recipients will receive a letter by post and we will publish the names of the grant recipients on our website.

Kone Foundation does not provide an explanation for individual grant decisions. The foundation receives a large number of good applications each year and is unable to provide funding for every compelling or worthy application.