Academy of Finland to launch two research programmes with €17m
Investing in research on computing and health
22 Nov 2007
The two new research programmes to be launched by the Academy of Finland are Ubiquitous Computing and Diversity of Communication and Responding to Public Health Challenges. The Academy Board decided on the programmes at its meeting on 20 November.
The Academy is prepared to fund the Research Programme on Ubiquitous Computing and Diversity of Communication (MOTIVE) with nine million euros and the Responding to Public Health Challenges Research Programme (SALVE) with eight million euros. The programmes are scheduled to run for four years.
The Academy started to prepare the MOTIVE programme in 2006 on the basis of programme initiatives received from the research community. During the preparatory stage, it was decided that the programme will focus on researching the new, everyday information society and the diversity and ubiquity of communication.
A key element of the programme is to examine how ubiquitous computing and the ubiquity of communication shape work and leasure, as well as to create principles and technological solutions that would make it possible to promote the desired developments and that would create opportunities for applications based on basic research. Application opportunities are expected, for example, in the actual exchange of information, training, culture and entertainment, as well as in the production of a number of healthcare services.
In connection with the MOTIVE programme, two international joint calls will be carried out: one with Chinese and the other with Russian funding agencies.
The SALVE programme is based on the understanding that inappropriate diets, insufficient physical activity, as well as substance use are the major causes of many diseases, and also account for a large proportion of preventable mortality. Our lifestyles develop early on in childhood, but their effects on our health are often not seen until decades later.
Finland has a high level of experience in researching the genetic background and lifestyle factors of major diseases affecting public health. The Finns as a people that descends from a small founding population, Finland’s high-quality healthcare system, clinical expertise and precise and consistent disease diagnostics have been the basis for the success of genetic research in Finland. Finland also has long traditions in effective interventions in disease prevention. An example of a community-level, population-based intervention is the world-acclaimedNorth Karelia Project that has improved lifestyles and reduced the risk of breast cancer and myocardial and cerebral infarction. Also, cancer screenings have reduced cervical and breast cancer mortality.
SALVE is focused on the identification of the aetiological, hereditary and environmental factors in the pathogenesis of diseases of public health importance as well as on the prevention of these diseases. The programme aims to combine not only a genetic and epidemiological approach, but also a social and behavioural sciences approach to research in major diseases.
Within the SALVE programme, the Academy will fund research together with Norwegian and Canadian funding agencies.
The research programmes are included in the Academy’s action plan 2008, adopted by the Academy of Finland Board at its meeting.
More information
-Action plan: Vice President, Research Riitta Mustonen, tel. +358 9 7748 8220
-MOTIVE research programme: Programme Manager Mikko Ylikangas, tel. +358 9 7748 8481
-SALVE research programme: Programme Manager Sirkku Saarikoski, tel. +358 9 7748 8325.
Academy of Finland Communications
Director Maj-Lis Tanner
tel. +358 9 7748 8347