Centres of Excellence in research

The programme for Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in research is a significant funding scheme in the Finnish research system. The CoE programme offers an excellent opportunity for research teams and consortia to carry out research of a high international standard with six-year funding. The first Centres of Excellence in research selected by the Academy of Finland started their operation in 2000. The next call for Centres of Excellence (2012–2017) will be open in January-February 2010.

What is s Centre of Excellence  The aim of CoE programmes  The CoE strategy  Selection of CoE

A Centre of Excellence

• is an innovative and target-oriented research environment that combines international  cutting-edge research and the promotion and supporting of high-level research careers at all  stages of the career

• is a professionally led entity with a clear and challenging research vision

• may consist of one or more cutting-edge research teams working closely together, based at a  university, research institute or spread across several different organisations. A CoE may  also have collaboration with private sector companies.

• renews scientific research and expertise

• is competitive in its efforts to apply for international research funding

• may be an important part of a Strategic Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation, if  one exists in its theme area

• in addition to the Academy of Finland, funding to CoEs is provided by CoE host  organisations (i.e. universities and research institutes), other funding agencies, foundations  and business companies.

The aim of CoE programmes is to:

• create favourable operating conditions for consortia of research teams

• create potential for scientific breakthroughs at the interfaces of scientific disciplines and  research fields

• reinforce the use of research infrastructures

• network Centres of Excellence nationally and internationally

• develop and support research collaboration with the best international researchers and  research teams

• promote the social impact of research

• have a positive impact on the Finnish research and innovation system

• aim to promote the compatibility of the strategies of a CoE and its host organisations

• raise the quality standard, international competitiveness, visibility and esteem of Finnish  research

The CoE strategy steers the work of Centres of Excellence

The Academy of Finland has drawn up a national strategy for Centres of Excellence in research in 2009. The Academy has streamlined and clarified the strategy with regard to the following aspects: 

• A Centre of Excellence is a research community that is already at the international cutting  edge of research in its field, rather than striving for the cutting edge

• The aim is increase Academy of Finland funding for each CoE

• It may become necessary to limit the number of CoEs to be funded in future programmes in  order to secure sufficient funding

• The number of CoE terms will not be limited, that is, a Centre of Excellence is eligible to  apply for a new CoE programme upon the end of its term; whether the CoE will continue in  the new programme will be determined by the scientific quality of its research plan

• The principal investigator in charge of a CoE or another researcher closely involved in the  work of a CoE is eligible to apply for a general research grant during the second three-year  term of CoE funding.

• The length of the CoE programme is six years, as before, and a CoE will receive funding in  two parts – at the beginning of the term and at mid-term.

How are Centres of Excellence selected?

Centres of Excellence are selected on the basis of high scientific quality that is assessed by means of international peer review.

In the review and selection of Centres of Excellence the Academy applies the evaluation and selection criteria adopted by the Academy Board.

The evaluation and selection criteria are described in more detail at Selection of Centres of Excellence.