From idea to application: aiming at seamless transition from research to utilisation of results
The Research Council of Finland’s (RCF) Proof of Concept (PoC) funding scheme is designed to ensure the effective transformation of sustainable and impactful high-quality research into social benefit. The RCF closely monitors the impact of PoC funding. The results of the projects funded based on the first PoC call are starting to emerge.
The purpose of the RCF’s Proof of Concept funding is to increase the competence of researchers and research organisations in utilising research funded by the RCF or the Strategic Research Council (SRC). Another goal is to provide researchers with opportunities to diversify their collaboration networks and increase their expertise in business and stakeholder cooperation.
Three PoC calls have been organised to date. A total of 107 RCF-funded PoC projects (incl. consortium subprojects) are currently ongoing. The third call closed in May this year, and the funding decisions were made on 3 November 2025.
PoC projects go from research to real economic and societal impact
The projects that have been granted PoC funding so far include planning interventions and operating models that respond to societal challenges, such as preventing exclusion or promoting wellbeing. Technology-sector projects, on the other hand, develop new hardware, software or methods that improve industrial processes and everyday technologies. Some of the ongoing projects are focused on developing services, methods, products or materials for education, healthcare, environmental protection and promoting the sustainable use of natural resources.
Monitoring impact of granted funding
In spring 2025, the RCF conducted a survey to projects funded in the first PoC call on how their research utilisation plans are progressing. 60 per cent of the 20 funded projects responded.
Some projects reported that they were in testing phase, and some had already contributed to real-world applications they had developed through the funding. Almost 70 per cent of the respondents reported that the funding had led to new research collaborations.
In almost all cases, the respondents estimated that the research results achieved with PoC funding had led to applying for or receiving further funding.
Almost all (92 per cent) of the projects that responded to the survey reported that the results achieved with PoC funding had led to applying for or receiving further funding. The highest number of applications for additional funding had been addressed to foundations or funds, and the second largest number to EU research funding schemes.
When assessing the potential of research projects in terms of their future impact, nearly half of the respondents estimated the projects to have medium potential. Almost 70 per cent of the funded projects were estimated to have high or breakthrough potential.
Figure 1. What is the current status of the project’s results in terms of their potential for future impact? (possible to select more than one option)
The projects’ results were estimated to produce impacts in the short, medium and long term. Of these, the time window for medium-term impacts (3 to 10 years from now) gathered the most responses.
Figure 2. Estimated time window for the impact of the project’s results. (possible to select more than one option)
Funded projects have versatile impact
The impact of the projects funded in the first PoC call was presented at an event organised at the RCF in early June. The case examples highlighted the wide range of research topics and research outcomes.
The PEGASUS project shapes the Finnish game culture and industry in a more culturally, socially and economically sustainable direction. The project utilises the research results related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) issues and societal impact achieved at the Centre of Excellence in Game Culture Studies, especially in the fields of player communities, esports and game production research. Workshop and pilot test participants included people working in the field (e.g. youth workers and event organisers) who were able to adapt the tools directly in their everyday work environments.
The aim is that the tools and methods developed in the project – including the social safety plan – could be freely utilised in different contexts both within and outside game cultural environments.
The VFSP-WASE project implements a European warning and advisory system on vegetation fires and smoke pollution. The scientific background of the project lies in the Finnish Atmosphere and Climate Competence Centre (ACCC) Flagship. The project aims to lay down the scientific and operational foundation for the Vegetation Fire and Smoke Pollution Warning and Advisory System for Europe (VFSP-WASE) by combining the top research of the ACCC Flagship with Finnish and European expertise.
The PoC project that develops urothelial cancer diagnosis and surveillance using urine DNA testing has its background in clinical research and the work of the Centre of Excellence in Tumour Genetics Research. Millions of examinations of the bladder using a flexible scope (cystoscopy) are performed every year, but only 10 per cent of the cystoscopies done due to haematuria result in a cancer diagnosis. After cystoscopy, patients often suffer from a burning sensation while urinating, an urge to urinate frequently and an increased risk of urinary tract infection, lasting a few days. In the UroScout testing method developed in the project, the patient collects an ordinary urine sample at home and delivers it by post to the laboratory, where DNA analysis identifies urothelial cancer with 98% sensitivity. The project has launched two randomised clinical trials to test whether the DNA analysis of urine samples can safely replace most of the cystoscopies in urothelial cancer diagnosis and post-treatment surveillance.
Figure 3. Example of product design done using PoC funding: UroScout urine collection kit.
In addition to Finland, the UroScout testing method has also been tested in Vancouver, Chicago and Osaka. Several hospitals in Finland and other countries have expressed their interest in introducing the test method.
Reporting supports the monitoring of research projects and the assessment of their impacts
Researchers are obliged to report to the RCF on how the project is progressing and what kinds of impacts have been achieved. From the perspective of financial control, legislation also requires reporting on the appropriate use of public funds.
The RCF must demonstrate that public funds are used efficiently, responsibly and in a way that creates value – either scientific, economic or social, or all of these. Reporting plays a key role in this whole. The reports provide information on funding decisions, support openness and help make the impact of science visible outside the academic world.
Funded projects are expected to demonstrate their impact in the short term and possibly in the long term. The progress and impacts of projects can be reported based on both quantitative and qualitative data. For example, reports can show how many pilots, users, materials or events the project has produced. Other matters to report may include in which ways the project’s results have raised interest, attracted stakeholders or changed thinking within or outside its own field.
The RCF will communicate the impacts of PoC-funded projects and the results of the final reports on its own channels in 2026.
