The National Programme on Materials and Structure Research (MATRA) was launched in 1993 to promote re-industrialisation. The programme was pioneering cooperation between the Academy of Finland and the National Technology Agency, Tekes. A total of 48 consortia were funded by EUR 31 million during 1994-2000.

The first progress report of the Programme was published in 1996. It consisted of reports of the consortia accepted in the first and second rounds of application. The second progress report II gives an overall picture of the work of the consortia funded in the later stages of the programme: in the third and fourth rounds of application. It also includes reports of the projects funded by Tekes. The progress reports, in addition to other material, were used for the evaluation of the whole research programme. This report gives an overall view on the advancement and level of materials and structure research in Finland.