Funding for Innovation and Growth Research
Funding for Innovation and Growth Research is suitable for research organizations studying the impact of global challenges on Finnish businesses and society.
Innovation and Growth Research
Innovation and Growth Research is Business Finland's research call for proposals to tackle the global challenges facing the Finnish economy and society. The aim of the research call is to increase the dialogue between policy makers and policy developers, on the one hand, and researchers, on the other.
The target group of the research call consists of research organizations studying the impact of global challenges on Finnish businesses and society. It is important that the researchers collaborate with business and innovation policy developers.
The research call for Innovation and Growth Research has a changing annual theme, according to which we select the funded projects. The call for 2025 has ended.
- Your research organization is a research or information dissemination organization, such as a university, university of applied sciences, or research institution.
- The primary objective of your research organization is to conduct research independently or to disseminate the results of your research to society at large.
When to apply for funding?
The funding call for Innovation and Growth Research can suit your research organization in situations such as these:
Your research focuses on the underlying factors of the innovation environment and growth of Finland
- The objectives of your project are in line with the themes and objectives of this year's research call
You cooperate actively with different entities
- The research groups are expected to work closely with policy makers and policy developers.
- You are engaged in genuine and close international cooperation with top researchers.
Your research team has a multidisciplinary vision
What can the funding be used for?
The themes of the funded Innovation and Growth Research projects are related to research on innovation activities and growth. The funding can be used, for example, as follows:
Research on the phenomena of innovation policy and growth
- The themes of the research call change annually. Take a look at this year's themes and pick the one that's right for your research team.
Broad dissemination of the research results to decision-makers and other parties that may find them useful
- You develop different types of interactive forums and means of taking advantage of them.
Before applying
Prepare to present your project proposal
In the application process, you must give a brief presentation (an elevator pitch) of the project to Business Finland's specialists before submitting the application.
In the idea phase, you will send a summary of your idea to innovaatiotutkimus (at) businessfinland.fi.
Business Finland will select the best ideas from among those submitted and encourage their presenters to proceed to the funding application phase. The selected candidates will receive detailed instructions on how to apply.
Explore past funding calls
Read more about the funding terms and conditions
Business Finland funds Innovation and Growth Research projects under the following conditions:
- Business Finland's level of funding is 95% for research organizations
- Corporate financing not necessary
- The maximum recommended project duration is two years.
In other respects, the funding complies with the funding terms and conditions for public research.
Apply for funding
If your project has proceeded from the idea phase to the application phase, send the application and its attachments via the online service using the Co-Research template. Add the word "Innovation research" to the beginning of the heading.
You can also keep track of the processing of your application in the online service.
Eligible costs
Business Finland can accept costs starting from the date the application was submitted, at the earliest.