Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation

Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation was established in 1970. According to the charter, the Foundation's main objective is to support environmental research in relation to technical development.

On October 5, 1972, the Board of the Foundation decided to support environmental research in the Baltic Sea, primarily microbiological investigations. In order to realize this aim, the Foundation signed a cooperative agreement with the University of Helsinki on January 26, 1973. According to the agreement, the Foundation supports microbiological research in the Baltic Sea with the work located mainly at the Tvärminne Zoological Station of the University.

The research began in the early 1970s with a thorough investigation of the microbiology of coastal waters, especially bacteria and yeasts of the open waters. During the 1980s the Pelag Project was carried through in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, the Academy of Finland and the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation. This project studied the relation between algae and bacteria in the open waters of the northern Baltic Sea. At present the focus of the research is on the role of mixotrophic organisms in the Baltic ecosystem, organisms of the sea ice, the ecology of shallow coastal waters, the relation between zooplankton and phytoplankton and between planktivorous fish and microorganisms, and cyanobacteria and their influence on the ecosystem.

The Foundation supports the environmental research with about 500 000 Euros each year. The main support is in the form of grants for postdoctoral scientists and postgraduate students as well as grants for students to complete their M. Sc. thesis (pro gradu). In order to strengthen and coordinate the research sponsored by the Foundation, the Foundation donated funds to the University of Helsinki for a five-year professorship at Tvärminne Zoological Station during 2002-2006. The Foundation decided to donate funds for another five-year professorship period 2007-2011. The Foundation may also support collaboration with scientists and research institutions abroad.

The Foundation announces grants for research once a year, usually in September or October. Details are given below.

GRANTS FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 2012

The Walter and Andrée de Nottbeck Foundation (Helsinki, Finland) hereby announces grants for research work during 2012 regarding changes of the ecosystems of the Baltic Sea. Research should be carried out at the Helsinki University's Tvärminne Zoological Station on the southern coast of Finland. More information is available in the general instructions regarding the grant application.

Applications with appendices, to be sent by 7th of October 2011, should be addressed to: carl-adam.haeggstrom@helsinki.fi 

Grants for Masters’ theses (pro gradu) may be applied for also by 15th of April 2012.

» Research grant application (rtf)

» Progress report form (rtf)