The FIRST+ programme (Finnish–Russian Student and Teacher Exchange Programme) promoteted collaboration of higher education institutions in Finland and Russia. The programme supported student and teacher mobility between Finnish and Russian higher education institutions and the organisation of joint intensive courses in Russia. The programme was funded by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Finnish National Agency for Education.

Two students reading a book in a park
Photo: Satu Haavisto

Statistics
Results for application round 2020
In the application round of 2020, 28 networks applied for funding. The total amount of applied funding was 1,6 million euros. 26 networks were granted funding for 900 730 euros altogether.

There were 13 intensive course applications, 10 of which were granted funding.

Networks had a chance to apply for additional funding in the interim report by 15.11.2020. Additional funding was granted for student mobilitites with a total of 7 000 € euros.

Results for application round 2019
In the application round of 2019, 26 networks applied for funding. The total amount of applied funding was 1,8 million euros altogether. 25 networks were granted funding for 901 600 euros altogether.

There were 21 intensive course applications, 9 of which were granted funding. The average granted amount was around 11 000 euros per course.

Networks had a chance to apply for additional funding in the interim report by 15.11.2019. Three networks were granted additional funding of 33 140,00 € euros altogether.

Results for application round 2018
In the application round of 2018, 27 networks applied for funding. The total amount of applied funding was 2,66 million euros altogether. 23 networks were granted funding for 1,26 million euros altogether.

There were 30 intensive course applications, 18 of which were granted funding. The average granted amount was around 11 000 euros per course.

Networks had a chance to apply for additional funding in the interim report by 28th of September 2018. Total amount of applied additional funding was 28 340,00 euros and four networks were granted additional funding of 20 048,58 euros altogether.

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The coordinating Finnish higher education institution will be responsible for the use of funding. The higher education institution reports to EDUFI on the progress and implementation of the activities in the interim report and in the final report at the end of the agreement period.

Network information and administrative guidelines 2020
FIRST+ networks 2020-2021 (pdf, 165.8 KB)
Interim report and call for additional funding 2020
An interim report must be submitted to EDUFI by 15.11.2020. In connection to the interim report the beneficiaries can alsoapply for additional funding.

Materials from the coordinators meeting on 1.12.2020
Final report 2020
The final report must be submitted by the 15th of November 2021 via the State Aid System. The electronic reporting system will automatically send a link to the beneficiary. The final report must include copies of the extract of accounts (with total sums tallying with those in the statistical and financial reports and showing the costs allocated to the project) and Excel-sheet of all the students and teachers who benefited from FIRST+ mobilities as annexes.

The final grant will be paid to the beneficiary according to the final report. The higher education institute provides EDUFI with its billing information for billing the possibly unused funding.
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The coordinating Finnish higher education institution will be responsible for the use of funding. The higher education institution reports to EDUFI on the progress and implementation of the activities in the interim report and in the final report at the end of the agreement period.

Network information and administrative guidelines 2019
FIRST+ networks 2019-2020 (pdf, 388.65 KB)
Interim report and call for additional funding 2019
Interim reporting for 2019 networks ended 15th of November 2019.

Final report 2019
The final report must be submitted by the 15th of October 2020 via the State Aid System. The electronic reporting system will automatically send a link to the beneficiary. The final report must include copies of the extract of accounts (with total sums tallying with those in the statistical and financial reports and showing the costs allocated to the project) and Excel-sheet of all the students and teachers who benefited from FIRST+ mobilities as annexes.

The final grant will be paid to the beneficiary according to the final report. The higher education institute provides EDUFI with its billing information for billing the possibly unused funding.
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The coordinating Finnish higher education institution will be responsible for the use of funding. The higher education institution reports to EDUFI on the progress and implementation of the activities in the interim report and in the final report at the end of the agreement period.

Administrative guidelines 2018
Interim report and call for additional funding 2018
Interim reporting for 2018 networks ended 28th September 2018.

Final report 2018
Final reporting for 2018 networks ended 15th of October 2019.

Materials for the coordinator meeting on the 16th of November 2018
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As part of the FIRST+ programme, a separate call for applications for EDUFI Finnish-Russian intensive courses for PhD students was organised. This call was to support Finnish-coordinated intensive courses from the field of humanities and social sciences for postgraduate students from Russian and Finnish universities.

Application round 2020
Application round for 2020-2021 will end 2nd March 2020 (the electronic system will close at 16:15). The application is sent via EDUFI's electronic state grant system.

Application round 2019
The application round 2019 ended on the 4th of March 2019. One intensive period was awarded with funding.

Call for applications 2019 (pdf, 196.24 KB)
Application document example (pdf, 665.15 KB)
Application round 2018
The application round ended on the 31st of October 2018. There were four applications submitted in this round. One intensive period was awarded with funding.

Call for applications 2018 (pdf, 195.5 KB)
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FIRST+ programme responsible at EDUFI:

Mari Pohjola
Senior Programme Adviser
first(at)oph.fi
Phone 0295 331 746

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