Responsible funding and sustainable governance

At the heart of the RCF’s work is to fund high-quality, innovative, responsible and high-impact research in all fields of science and research and to ensure that society can make the best possible use of the results of the research. Our work to promote responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals is realised through our research funding and our research knowledge and expertise.

In 2024, the RCF’s research funding amounted to a total of 543,206,000 euros. This included 460,226,000 euros in research funding, 55,631,000 euros in funding by the Strategic Research Council (SRC), and 27,349,000 euros in funding contributions to international organisations. A significant portion of the funding is allocated to research projects that promote sustainable development goals. In line with our strategy, our goal is to integrate sustainable development objectives and responsibility into all our activities. The examination focuses on both research funding and the activities of the RCF Administration Office.

The RCF is also an expert on Finnish and international science policy issues and collects and analyses data on science and research. The production of high-quality data and analyses supports the use of research-based knowledge in decision-making. By gathering data and making it available, we also support the competence-based reform of Finnish society.

There is extensive international cooperation in our field. The RCF participates in activities that aim to promote sustainable development, for example, in the EU’s framework programmes (Horizon Europe), within the Nordic countries and in global cooperation. We participate in many networks promoting administrative cooperation between international research organisations. The research we fund also increases Finland’s capacity to take advantage of international research.

We promote the goals of responsibility and sustainable development in a broad-based and long-term manner through a variety of concrete actions. The measures promoting responsibility and sustainable development focus on both research funding and the activities of the RCF Administration Office.

In our funding, we take into account the principles of responsible science: research ethics, equality and nondiscrimination, open science, sustainable development goals and responsible researcher assessment. Assessing these areas helps improve the quality and impact of research. Accountability and responsible conduct are integral parts of both our research funding and our operations at the Administration Office.