The Finnish Forest Products Engineers’ Association (PI) annually supports students and researchers of the forest sector by awarding scholarships and grants for undergraduate and postgraduate studies, as well as for internationalisation. This year, support totalling approximately €120,000 will be awarded to 45 recipients. The scholarship and grant recipients will be announced and honoured at the new Scholarship Gala on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, at Pörssitalo in Helsinki.
PI is a network of professionals and companies in the forest industry, with a core mission to support young and emerging talent and to promote research and innovation in the sector. One of our most significant forms of support is the awarding of various scholarships and grants. These aim to advance forest industry research and professional development, encourage internationalisation, support young people in their studies and thesis work, and recognise individuals who foster a positive and inspiring atmosphere in study and work communities.
This year, scholarships and grants totalling approximately €120,000 will be awarded to 45 recipients who are studying or conducting research at Finnish universities and research institutions in the field (including Aalto University, Graz University of Technology, LUT University, LAB University of Applied Sciences, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, University of Oulu, Tampere University of Applied Sciences, Åbo Akademi). The value of the scholarships and grants awarded ranges from €500 to €5,000, depending on their intended use. The names of the recipients will be announced at the PI Scholarship Gala, held for the first time on Tuesday, 23 September 2025, from 13:00 to 17:00 at Pörssitalo in Helsinki and in this article. More information about PI scholarships: https://www.puunjalostusinsinoorit.fi/palvelut/stipendit/
"PI’s vision is to build a wood-based future together, and supporting young professionals through scholarships is our association’s most tangible future-oriented work for the benefit of the forest industry," says Donika Morina, Project Manager responsible for Youth Services at PI.
At the PI Scholarship Gala, the 2025 scholarship recipients were
Students Scholarship:
Siiri Aaltola (Aalto-yliopisto), Joonas Haapanen (LUT-yliopisto), Martti Hakulinen (LAB-Ammattikorkeakoulu), Elina Jämsén (Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu), Wilma Kauppila (Åbo Akademi), Vertti Kemppi (Aalto-yliopisto), Akseli Laatikainen (Graz University of Technology), Oskari Laurila (Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu), Marianne Makkonen (Tampereen Ammattikorkeakoulu), Helmi Malk (Aalto-yliopisto), Fanny Mäkitalo (Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu), Kristiina Rantakömi (Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu), Risto Ruohola (Åbo Akademi), Sara Räikkönen (Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu), Matti Seppänen (Tampereen yliopisto) ja Jere Venäläinen (LAB-ammattikorkeakoulu).
Influencer for a wood-based future:
Santeri Kämäräinen (Aalto-yliopisto) ja Adil Mehmood (Åbo Akademi)
Valmet Sustainable Pulping -palkinto:
Filip Engström (Aalto-yliopisto) ja Martta Harsia (LUT-yliopisto)
Andritz-palkinto Award:
Hao Xi (Aalto-yliopisto)
Research Grant:
Roozbeh Abidnejad (Aalto-yliopisto), Marie Alopaeus (Åbo Akademi), Nizam Azeez (Åbo Akademi), Elijah Mark Garcia (Aalto-yliopisto), Riikka Haataja (Oulun yliopisto), Minette Kvikant (Åbo Akademi), Shujun Liang (Åbo Akademi), Chengji Yang (Aalto-yliopisto) ja Shiying Zhang (Aalto-yliopisto)
C.J. Janssonin Prize:
Erfan Kimiaei (Aalto-yliopisto/Amcor) ja Zahra Madani (Aalto-yliopisto/Kiilto)
Niilo Ryti Award:
Hamidreza Ahadian (Aalto-yliopisto)
Åbo Akademin lNatural Materials Technology Award:
Rajesh Koppolu (Åbo Akademi) ja Qingbo Wang (Åbo Akademi)
Oulu University Bioproduct Technology Award:
Meri Pekki (Oulun yliopisto)
Tampere University of Applied Sciences Bioproduct Technology Award:
Iida Pirinen (Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu) ja Kaisa Ropponen (Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu)
LUT University Bioproduct Technology Recognition Award:
Sanaz Afshariantorghabeh (LUT-yliopisto)
Bioproduct Technology Recognition Award of South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences (XAMK):
Netta Herranen (Kaakkois-Suomen ammattikorkeakoulu)
Recognition Award in Materials and Bioproduct Technology at Tampere University:
Aleksi Keskinen (Tampereen yliopisto)
Marcus Wallenberg Young Researchers' Challenge travel allowance:
Pauliina Ahokas (VTT), Giiguulen Enkhsaikhan (Aalto-yliopisto), Xiang Hu (Turun yliopisto), Joel Kostensalo (LUKE), Zonghong Lu (Åbo Akademi), Nissa Nurfajrin Solihat (Aalto-yliopisto), Moaaz Safwa (LUT-yliopisto), Tuuli Virkkala (VTT), Sakari Välimäki (LUKE), ja Shiying Zhang (Aalto-yliopisto)
Warmest congratulations to all scholarship recipients!