Academy of Finland Newsletter, December 2008
The Academy of Finland newsletter will keep you updated on basic research funded in Finland and on other news from the Finnish world of science and research. In case you wish us to send this to someone else in your organisation or if you do not want to receive these newsletters in the future, please let us know at viestinta@aka.fi.
Features:
Science and Technology Policy Council outlined education, science, technology and innovation policies for the near future
New Research and Innovation Council
New Minister of Education and Science for Finland
Academy funds projects focusing on improving public health
Academy to introduce full cost model in its research funding
Season’s greetings
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SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY COUNCIL OUTLINED EDUCATION, SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICIES FOR THE NEAR FUTURE
The Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland, chaired by the Prime Minister, has adopted the policy report ‘Review2008’. The report presents the Council’s national strategies and a development programme for the coming years. The Finnish strategy is to ensure the sustainable and balanced development of society and the economy. According to the Council, innovative individuals and communities are the basis for success. Research- and technology-based innovation has led the way, followed closely by broad-based innovation covering the entire society.
Policy measures will continue to focus on the comprehensive development of research and innovation systems. The basic conditions for success include the ability to produce and utilise new information, high-level technology and business know-how as well as profound knowledge of the markets, especially the needs of users and customers. Finland has launched several reforms which together provide an answer to the challenges. These include the structural development of higher education institutions, the national innovation strategy, the Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), the reform of sectoral research, the national infrastructure policy, the implementation of the four-stage research career model, the internationalisation of functions and the promotion of research and innovation funding. The common goal of the reform projects is the development of the contents, structure and funding of functions to ensure well-being and sustainable development.
Content development focuses on international top-level research and innovation in key areas in terms of the development of the economy and society as well as the well-being of the population. Climate change, research relating to the environment and energy are the main priorities for Finland, too. Other priorities include the selections of the Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation (CSTI), bio and nano technologies, new materials, knowledge-intensive services, and ICT-based applications in other areas.
According to the Council, it is necessary to increase research and innovation funding both from the public and private sector in order to attain the objectives concerning the content of functions. The quantitative aim for this type of funding is still the one laid down in the Government Programme: 4 per cent of GDP in 2011.
The practical implementation of results could be improved. Broad-based partnerships between the actors operating in the public and private sectors and between various sectors will produce the best results in the increasing field of innovation. Cooperation needs to be deepened also between the national and regional levels. The internationalisation of our research and innovation system is inevitable. Businesses and research organisations need to seek close long-term interaction with the leading countries and key actors in the field of research and innovation. Participation in EU-level cooperation needs to be more focused and target-oriented.
NEW RESEARCH AND INNOVATION COUNCIL
As of the beginning of 2009, the Science and Technology Policy Council of Finland will become the Research and Innovation Council. The change reflects the growing importance of horizontal innovation policy for the development of Finnish society and the economy on the basis of knowledge and knowhow. More information on the Council at: www.minedu.fi > Research > Science and Technology Policy Council
NEW MINISTER OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE FOR FINLAND
As of the end of December 2008, the post of Minister of Education and Science, responsible for matters of science and research, will be taken over by Ms Henna Virkkunen, Licentiate of Philosophy. The Academy of Finland operates within the administrative sector of the Ministry of Education.
ACADEMY FUNDS PROJECTS FOCUSING ON IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH
The Academy of Finland has made its decisions on the projects to be funded within the Responding to Public Health Challenges Research Programme (SALVE). A total of 48 consortium applications were submitted to the call, and the Academy will fund 11 consortia to a total sum of 9.3 million euros. The research programme is scheduled to run for a four-year period in 2009–2012.
The SALVE research programme will provide applicable knowledge for responding to current and future key public health issues. Instead of applying a disease-centred approach, the programme places emphasis on early intervention before the onset of disease hazards. The call for applications was only open to consortia made up of research groups, in order to ensure the broadest possible examination of the research questions.
The research programme has agreed on funding cooperation with the CIHR (Canadian Institutes of Health Research), the MRC (Medical Research Council) from the UK and the Research Council of Norway. The consortia that were awarded funding include one joint Finnish-Canadian-British project, one Finnish-Canadian project, one Finnish-British project and one Finnish-Norwegian project.
Funding from the SALVE programme goes to consortia studying a wide variety of areas, including a consortium that focuses on the prevention of metabolic syndrome, a consortium researching the backgrounds of marginalisation and social coping, a consortium studying the health effects of a Nordic diet and a consortium focusing on research into dementia. Funding was also granted to a consortium that maps the risk factors which may lead to metabolic syndrome. The research is conducted using extensive cohort data, where the subjects have been monitored from a pre-natal stage to adulthood. The aim is to give each patient an individually tailored recommendation for lifestyle modification.
ACADEMY TO INTRODUCE FULL COST MODEL IN ITS RESEARCH FUNDING
The Academy of Finland will introduce the full cost model as of the beginning of 2009. The full cost model will have effects on the way funding applications and funding decisions are made, on how funding is used and on the way funding use is reported. The decision to introduce the full cost model is included in a document on the grounds for research funding decisions 2009, adopted by the Academy Board.
The purpose of the full cost model is to determine all financial costs, both direct and indirect, of jointly funded projects. Until now, the Academy has funded only the direct costs of research projects; the full cost model requires that funding is also provided to cover indirect costs. The Academy will fund a maximum of 80 per cent of the costs of a project.
SEASON’S GREETINGS
The Academy of Finland wishes all its partners Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!
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Academy of Finland in brief: The Academy’s objective is to promote scientific research of a high standard through long-term quality-based research funding, research and science policy expertise and efforts to strengthen the position of science and scientific research. The Academy makes decisions on research funding worth about 280 million euros. Each year about 5,000 people benefit from Academy research funding. For more information, go to www.aka.fi or send a message to maj-lis.tanner@aka.fi.