H2FUTURE Global South Researchers’ Exchange Programme is open
H2FUTURE provides funding to support research mobility between the University of Oulu and partner institutions in the Global South during 2026–2027. Funding is available for research visits by professors and postdoctoral researchers working within scientific fields relevant to H2FUTURE.
The programme aims to support up to 20 research visits and to promote new and long-term international research collaborations in hydrogen-related research.
This is an open continuous call with no fixed deadline.
About the profilation
Hydrogen future as a climate solution (H2FUTURE) combines the University of Oulu’s research strengths in future H₂ production, sustainable metals reduction processes and hydrogen-resistant steel development into a unique, holistic and multidisciplinary research community with the ambition of enabling a green and sustainable hydrogen transition.
H2FUTURE leverages research excellence in future energy production and its applications to address energy and environmental challenges.
H2FUTURE builds on fundamental research in physics, chemistry, process metallurgy, physical metallurgy and mechanical engineering related to hydrogen technologies. Its research themes include, but are not limited to, energy-efficient and climate-neutral hydrogen production, fossil-free metals production and the development of steels and other advanced materials for the hydrogen transition.
H2FUTURE forms part of the University of Oulu's national profiling actions supported by the Research Council of Finland and actively interacts with other research profiling areas at the University of Oulu.
About H2FUTURE Global South Researchers’ Exchange Programme
The programme supports two-way research mobility between the University of Oulu and universities and research organisations in the Global South.
We invite postdoctoral researchers and professors from eligible institutions in the Global South to spend a research period at the University of Oulu. Correspondingly, postdoctoral researchers and professors from the University of Oulu may apply for funding to conduct a research visit at a university or research organisation in an eligible Global South country.
For the purposes of this programme, the Global South broadly refers to low- and middle-income and emerging economies. Eligibility can be confirmed with the H2FUTURE programme before submitting an application.
The programme particularly encourages research visits that:
- establish new international research partnerships;
- strengthen existing collaboration between the University of Oulu and institutions in the Global South;
- enable complementary scientific expertise and knowledge exchange;
- lead to joint publications, research proposals or longer-term institutional collaboration; and
- contribute to H2FUTURE research themes and the development of sustainable hydrogen technologies.
Funding can be applied for either:
a) directly by the researcher planning the visit; or
b) by a University of Oulu-based Principal Investigator (PI) wishing to invite a named external researcher to Oulu to collaborate on H2FUTURE-related research.
The visiting researcher and the host unit must comply with the University of Oulu visiting researcher guidelines (internal link).
A visiting researcher is normally a researcher or professor undertaking short-term research or teaching cooperation at the University of Oulu without an employment contract with the University. The researcher typically has an employment relationship with another university or research institute.
Duration and funding
The research visit can last between two weeks and six months.
The funding can cover:
- travel expenses and accommodation costs of up to €2,000 for short-term visits; and
- travel expenses and accommodation costs of up to €6,000 for longer visits.
Salaries and daily allowances are not covered. Funding cannot be used for conference participation or conference-related travel.
A detailed budget must be included in the application. The approved funding will be reimbursed against receipts in accordance with the applicable University of Oulu financial and travel regulations.
A support or invitation letter from the host unit or institution is required.
How to apply
Please submit your application online through the H2FUTURE Webropol application form and attach the required documents.
The application form requests the following information:
- Contact details of the visiting researcher
- Details of the host unit or institution and hosting investigator
- Planned period and duration of the visit
- Amount of funding requested
- Required annexes
Applications must be submitted in English and should include the following documents:
1. Motivation letter and brief project description
A maximum three-page description outlining:
- motivation for the research visit;
- overall objectives of the visit;
- research activities and methods;
- added value of the visit for the applicant and H2FUTURE;
- expected scientific and other outcomes;
- contribution to H2FUTURE research at the University of Oulu;
- expected benefits for collaboration between the home and host institutions; and
- work plan and schedule for the visit.
Applicants should clearly describe how the proposed research and collaboration relate to the scientific themes of H2FUTURE.
2. Detailed budget
A detailed budget for the planned visit should clearly indicate the costs to be covered through H2FUTURE funding and any costs funded from other sources.
3. Hosting commitment or invitation letter
For incoming visits to Oulu, a commitment or invitation letter from the hosting Principal Investigator at the University of Oulu is required.
For outgoing visits, a corresponding invitation or commitment from the host institution should be provided.
4. Curriculum vitae
CV, maximum four pages, prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity
5. List of publications
List of publications prepared according to the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland.
Deadline
There is no fixed deadline.
The call is open on a continuous basis for research visits planned during 2026–2027, or until the funding reserved for the H2FUTURE Global South Researchers’ Exchange Programme has been fully allocated.
All funded research visits must be completed within the H2FUTURE programme period and according to the conditions specified in the funding decision.
Decisions
Applications will be evaluated by the H2FUTURE Management Group.
We aim to communicate the funding decision within approximately one month of receiving a complete application.
Further information and inquiries
Coordinator of H2FUTURE
Dr. Filipp Temerov
University of Oulu
Email: filipp.temerov@oulu.fi
Tel. +358 50 569 7739