Finnish Academy of Science and Letters


The Finnish Academy of Science and Letters is a Finnish learned society. It was founded in 1908 and is thus the second oldest academy in Finland. The oldest is the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters, which was founded in 1838.

Members

The academy has a total of 328 seats for Finnish members. When a member of the academy turns 65 years, his seat is free for selection of a new member, but he remains a full member until death. The seats are divided into two sections

Section of Science

189 seats

Section of the Humanities

139 seats

Foreign members

Since 1924, foreign members have also been invited to the academy. A foreign scientist who has proven to be a leading researcher can be elected as a foreign member. The selection of foreign members follows the same strict principles as the selection of domestic members. Foreign members represent the best of science around the world.

Prizes

Academy Award

The highest prize of the academy is the Academy Award, awarded to a distinguished member of the Academy in recognition of the scientific career. The prize has been awarded since 1945. As of 2023, the value of the prize is 30.000€. The recipients of the prize are:
The Väisälä Prize was established by the Finnish Academy of Sciences and Letters in cooperation with the Väisälä Foundation. The prize is awarded to outstanding scientists in the active parts of their careers in the fields of mathematics and natural sciences. The prize is awarded by the Board of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters. The first prize was awarded in 2000 and has been awarded annually since then. The prize has been awarded to:
  • 2023: Vesa Julin and Katrianne Lehtipalo
  • 2022: Emilia Kilpua and Christian Webb
  • 2021: Mikko Möttönen and Tuomas Orponen
  • 2020: Goëry Genty and Tuomo Kuusi
  • 2019: Tero Heikkilä, Jani Lukkarinen, and Otso Ovaskainen
  • 2018: Camilla Hollanti and Sabrina Maniscalco
  • 2017: Peter Liljeroth, Kaisa Matomäki, and Minna Palmroth
  • 2016: Risto Korhonen and Mika Sillanpää
  • 2015: Mikko Salo and Paul Greenlees
  • 2014: Tuomas Hytönen and Tuukka Petäjä
  • 2013: Marko Huhtanen and Sebastiaan van Dijken
  • 2012: Xiao Zhong and Mika Valden
  • 2011: Peter Hästö and Janne Ruokolainen
  • 2010: Kaisa Miettinen and Adam Foster
  • 2009: Eero Hyry and Edwin Kukk
  • 2008: Eero Saksman and Kari J. Eskola
  • 2007: Jarkko Kari and Kari Rummukainen
  • 2006: Juha Kinnunen and Kalle-Antti Suominen
  • 2005: Matti Lassas and Martti Kauranen
  • 2004: Jari Taskinen, Päivi Törmä, and Timo Vesala
  • 2003: Tero Kilpeläinen and Keijo Hämäläinen
  • 2002: Pekka Koskela and Erkki Thuneberg
  • 2001: Erkki Somersalo, Jari Turunen, and Markku Lehtinen