The Foundation awards EUR 3.1 million in its 2026 grant round
Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation has awarded a total of EUR 3.1 million in its 2026 grant round. This is the first round carried out under the renewed guidelines for medical research grants, which define the Foundation’s priorities in medical and related natural science research on the mind’s significance for physical health, as well as research on blood diseases.
In total, 452 applications were received, with an applied amount of EUR 13.2 million. This is an increase of 44 % from the previous round of applications. The Foundation awarded 183 grants. Notable was the record-high interest in doctoral grants: a total of 42 doctoral grants of up to two years were awarded. 23 % of the total amount applied for was awarded. The 2026 grant round included several different types of grants, including research grants, doctoral grants, and postdoctoral visit grants.
– The first grant round under our renewed guidelines shows that there is a strong need for long-term funding for research that combines high scientific quality with a holistic view on human health. It is particularly encouraging to see the record-high interest in doctoral grants, as supporting young researchers is important for the future of research. Through these grants, we want to contribute to a greater understanding of the significance of mental well-being on physical health, says Jannica Fagerholm, Managing Director of the Foundation.
Research grants awarded in 2026
This year’s awarded research grants include projects in areas such as metabolic health, blood diseases, memory disorders, and the importance of early-life factors for health.
Kirsi Pietiläinen, Professor of Clinical Metabolism at the University of Helsinki, was awarded EUR 40,000 for the project Life burden and weight loss in a real-world digital lifestyle intervention – sequential mediation through sleep, eating behaviour, and physical activity.
Satu Mustjoki, Professor of Clinical Chemistry and Hematology at the University of Helsinki and affiliated with the HUS Comprehensive Cancer Center, was awarded EUR 60,000 for the project Molecular determinants and therapeutic vulnerabilities in blood cancers.
Zareen Tasnim, doctoral researcher at the Research Unit of Clinical Medicine at the University of Oulu, was awarded EUR 54,000 for the project Effects of preterm birth as an early-life stressor: mental and physical diseases, metabolic traits and cardiovascular implications across the life course.
Turku Mood and Memory Lab was awarded EUR 25,000 for the project Muistisairauksien varhaiset riskitekijät – mielialaoireet, unihäiriöt ja metaboliset muutokset. The research environment, established at the University of Turku in 2024, is led by Noora Scheinin, Associate Professor and Chief Physician in Psychiatry.
