There’s a bright piece of news to illuminate the shortening days of October: the KAUTE Foundation Fellowship program is expanding. In addition to offering the opportunity to pursue doctoral studies at The Wharton School, we are now also collaborating with a top technical university.
Our new partner institution is the California Institute of Technology, or Caltech, one of the world’s leading universities in the field of technology. “The partnership with Caltech is a significant move for KAUTE Foundation, as it furthers our goal of supporting world-class research and engaging more in international collaboration,” says Tuomas Olkku, Executive Director of KAUTE Foundation.
KAUTE Foundation first launched the fellowship program with The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2023. Wharton, the world’s oldest business school, is highly regarded in the field of commerce. “We wanted to offer a similar opportunity for researchers in the technical fields, so partnering with Caltech was a natural next step,” Olkku explains.
Collaboration and communities
Founded in 1891, Caltech is renowned for its top-tier research and education in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics. Olkku believes that an extended research period abroad benefits all parties involved. “A promising researcher will have the chance to work in a world-class research environment. As a foundation, we are prepared to support the establishment and maintenance of connections between the researcher and the Finnish research community,” he adds.
Researchers supported by the KAUTE Foundation will have the opportunity to become part of Caltech’s vibrant academic community. The collaboration with Caltech opens a window into cutting-edge research, making it an ideal environment for researchers working on areas such as artificial intelligence, sustainability issues, and quantum technology.
The university also collaborates closely with NASA’s renowned Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Olkku visited Caltech at the beginning of October and was impressed by what he saw. He believes that the partnership with Caltech offers opportunities both at an individual and community level.
“We want to invest in the next generation of leaders and researchers. KAUTE Foundation is working for a better future, and during my visit to Caltech, I realized that we share this common goal. The university has strong resources in several key research areas, making it an ideal environment for impactful research,” Olkku says.
The KAUTE Foundation Fellowship program is unique in Finland. You can find more information about the fellowship on our website.
