Academy of Finland shortlists applications for second stage of Flagship Programme call

The Academy of Finland today selected the applications that will advance to the second stage of the Flagship Programme call. The shortlist of nine applications was drawn up based on reviewer reports on the applications submitted. Next, the shortlisted applications will be reviewed by two international peer review panels; one panel will focus on scientific quality, the other on research impact.

The shortlist was decided by the Flagship Programme Subcommittee. The second call opened under the Academy's Flagship Programme in June attracted 15 applications: four applications were submitted by individual organisations and eleven were consortium applications. The applications involved a total of nine universities and six research institutes.

The call has a funding budget of 31.5 million euros and the funding decisions are due in December 2018 and January 2019. The first Flagship Programme call attracted 15 applications, of which two were selected for funding.

The applicants had requested that the review process include a correction procedure. Applicants were given an opportunity to read the review reports on their applications so that they could correct any factual errors or errors in understanding. The Flagship Programme Subcommittee used the corrections to support its decision-making based on the applications and review reports.

Applications advancing to second stage of Flagship Programme call:

• Atmosphere and Climate Competence Centre (University of Helsinki, Finnish
  Meteorological Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Tampere University of Technology)
• Blue Electricity (Lappeenranta University of Technology, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd)
• Competence Centre for Geospatial Technology, Games and Disruption (Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, University of Tampere)
• Finnish Centre for Artificial Intelligence (Aalto University, University of Helsinki, VTT)
• Future Ecosystem of Learning (University of Jyväskylä)
• The Digital Precision Cancer Medicine Platform (University of Helsinki)
• Inequalities, Interventions, and New Welfare State (University of Turku, THL)
• Nanoscience for Better Life (University Jyväskylä)
• Photonics Research and Innovation (Tampere University of Technology, Aalto University, VTT, University of Eastern Finland)

What is the Flagship Programme?

The aim of the Academy of Finland’s Flagship Programme is to pool together expertise from different fields in Finland to form high-level research and impact clusters. A flagship is an effective mix of cutting-edge research, impact in support of economic growth or society, close connections to the business sector and society at large, adaptability, and a strong commitment from host organisations. They constitute high-quality, high-impact competence clusters that work in flexible ways, simultaneously running several projects and activities.