Support for traineeship in Finland

University of Oulu awards traineeship support for their own degree students’ work placements both in Finland and abroad.

Support for Traineeships in Finland

The traineeship support is applied for in accordance with the guidelines and application periods provided by the Education Services and degree programmes.
The purpose of the support is to enable traineeship positions that would not otherwise be possible without the university’s financial contribution and to cover part of the employer’s salary costs for hiring a trainee.

Degree students of the University of Oulu may apply for the traineeship support for traineeships taking place outside the University of Oulu.

Who can receive the support

The domestic traineeship support is available to small and medium-sized enterprises (employing fewer than 250 people) as well as employers in the public and third sectors (such as organisations and foundations).
The student is responsible for verifying the size of the company offering the traineeship.

The traineeship support must always be applied for in advance, before the traineeship begins.

How to apply for the traineeship support in 2025?

Current information

The application period for the 2025 Domestic Traineeship Support is now open again!

At the moment, funding is available, and we are accepting new applications. Any updates or changes to the situation will be announced on this page.

Amount and payment of the support

In 2025, the traineeship support amounts to €1,600 per student. The support is paid to the employer after the traineeship has ended. The employer pays the trainee’s salary from their own funds and, once the traineeship has been completed, invoices the University of Oulu for an amount equal to the granted support.

Information for Employers

The University of Oulu may grant traineeship support to an employer who hires a student for a traineeship if the traineeship would not otherwise take place without the university’s financial support.
The domestic traineeship support is available to small and medium-sized enterprises (employing fewer than 250 people) as well as employers in the public and third sectors (such as organisations and foundations).

Amount and invoicing of the support

  • The amount of the support is €1,600 per student for the entire traineeship period (the amount is the same regardless of duration).
  • The employer pays the trainee’s salary from their own funds and invoices the university after the traineeship has been completed.
  • Invoicing must take place no later than by the end of the calendar year in which the support was granted.

How to apply the support

  • Agree on the traineeship with the student.
  • Sign a traineeship agreement between the student and the University of Oulu (electronic signature).
  • Invoice the university after the traineeship has ended. Attach the following documents to the invoice:
    • a copy of the signed traineeship agreement
    • a breakdown of salary costs (gross salary, holiday pay, and related employer contributions).

Note: Invoicing must be completed by the end of the same year in which the support was granted.

Criteria for Supported Traineeships

  • The trainee’s salary must be at least €1,430 per month (in 2025).
  • The traineeship must last a minimum of two months of full-time work.
  • The student must be employed by the host organisation for the entire traineeship period.
  • The student must apply for the traineeship support from the university at least two weeks before the traineeship begins.

Further information: opiskeluntuki(at)oulu.fi