Industrial counselor Erkki Paasikivi was born in 1917 and accomplished his life’s work in Finland after the Second World War. He founded the faucet company Oras Oy in 1945 and was the CEO until 1978. He continued in the family business as the Chairman of the Board until 1996. Erkki travelled extensively throughout his working career which enabled him to accumulate a comprehensive artworks collection from around the world.

After resigning from his operative duties at the company, he devoted his time to arts, designing gold and silver jewelry and abstract metal sculptures. In the Rauma region Erkki was known as a friend of music and fine arts, and he actively supported the local artists. This is how the idea of establishing a foundation was born.

The decision to establish the Erkki Paasikivi Foundation was made in 1986, and it began its operations the following year. Later on the purpose of the foundation started shifting towards supporting research and the fields of education connected to Erkki’s working life.

The foundation’s strategy was updated in January 2022. Clean water is a prerequisite for a functioning society, and its effects on health, general living standards and equality of opportunity are substantial. It is also a major issue for the mankind trying to adapt to climate change and fighting against it. The changing environment affects water availability and quality almost everywhere. The need to develop new technologies and practices is enormous. The work of Erkki Paasikivi foundation is based on strong evidence that access to clean water in the world can be significantly improved through research, innovation and education. The foundation’s focus is on supporting research and education projects on clean domestic water and housing solutions in Finland, as well as related national and international cooperation.

We support research and education on clean water technology and housing solutions, as well as related business expertise. In addition, we support local culture in Rauma with an emphasis on young people.

The sufficiency of clean domestic water is one of the great challenges facing humanity. Climate change is making the challenge even more serious. On the other hand, clean water is a great enabler: its effects on education, equality and health are significant.

Our goal is a world with clean water for everyone. We support the most influential Finnish research and education projects in terms of this goal. To achieve this goal, we network and work with the best partners in the field.

We respect our roots in Rauma by supporting local cultural work, especially among young people.
If you are interested in cooperating with us, please contact info(at)erkkipaasikivensaatio.fi

Results-oriented
We focus on measurable and productive change work.
Perseverance
Solving major challenges always requires long-term work.
Vitality
We want to see continuous improvement and innovation in everything we do.
Openness
We tell what we are going to do and how we succeeded.

NEXT APPLICATION PERIOD IN AUTUMN 2023

The personal research grant is equivalent to the State artist grants which are awarded by the Arts Promotion Center Finland. The amount is annually confirmed. The grant may be awarded for a maximum period of twelve months. A long-term research project may be funded for several consecutive years with separate grants. In order to obtain an extension for the funded period, the submission of an interim report on the use of the grant is required.

The foundation may award separate project grants. These cases are always individually assessed. Both, project and research grants are primarily aimed at water technology and housing solutions.

Travel expenses connected to studies/research
Europe 500 €
Intercontinental 1 000 €
Student exchange travel expenses will not be supported.

Cultural support
Grants are awarded only to Rauma region and to activities connected to the region. In principle, the foundation does not award grants to private person’s equipment or instrument purchases. The required attachment for cultural support is budget calculation.

The foundation evaluates each application individually, and there may be deviations from the above mentioned amounts. The applicants are required to inform the foundation in case they have been awarded other grants as this may have an effect on the selection process.

Any given applicant may be awarded a grant or a scholarship for the maximum period of three consecutive years. Reporting on the earlier grants is a prerequisite for awarding a new grant.

The Board of the foundation processes the applications annually in November. The positive decisions will be informed to the applicants by 15th of December. The foundation does not justify its decisions.

The application is submitted using the electronic application form. Note that applications sent by post or submitted after the deadline will not be processed. If the applicant is a group, the name and contact details of the group leader should be included in the application. It is the responsibility of the group leader to report on the usage of the grant. The required attachments for undergraduate studies are study register and possible research proposal, and for postgraduate studies a letter of recommendation from the project supervisor and research proposal.

NB! The application period for grants in the field of water technology differs from other grants of the Foundation and the application form has been moved to https://kaute.apurahat.net
The Erkki Paasikivi Foundation and the KAUTE Foundation’s Niilo V. Santasalo and Lauri N. Santasalo Special Fund have joined forces to support water research. More detailed application instructions and more information can be found at https://vesitekniikantutkimus.fi

The use of the grants exceeding 1 000 € are to be reported within one year from the issuing date. If the project or research exceeds the period of one year, an interim report and attachments will be annually submitted to the foundation by the end of September.

Please note that due to the transitional period, please send the report in pdf format to info(at)erkkipaasikivensaatio.fi.

Here you can find a list of grants awarded 2015-2021. From 2021 onwards, the names of the grant recipient’s have been added to the list.

Through its grants, the foundation supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals ”Clean Water and Sanitation” and “Partnerships for the Goals”. In addition, the foundation’s wealth management takes into account the UN Sustainable Development Goals ”Sustainable Cities and Communities”, ”Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” and ”Affordable and Clean Energy”.

When sending a grant application to Erkki Paasikivi Foundation, the applicant provides Erkki Paasikivi Foundation with certain personal information. The information is saved in the register maintained by the foundation. The register is regulated by the Personal Data Act (523/1999). The personal information collected in the register is used in the decision making of grants to be awarded. Other information collected by Erkki Paasikivi Foundation is information relating to the payment of the awarded grants and information required for the follow-up process and the final reports. Erkki Paasikivi Foundation notifies the tax authorities and Farmers’ Social Insurance Institution of the grants awarded.