Opinions
On this page, you can read the RCF’s opinions on science, research and science policy. The page provides a compilation of statements, blog posts, social media posts, videos and other communications on issues that are important to us and that make our science policy expertise available to other RDI actors, policymakers and the general public. The compilation contains our views on topics such as research security, the internationalisation of science, scientific freedom and EU RDI policy and funding.
Academic freedom
(27 Oct 2023): Research Council of Finland condemns harassment of researchers and RCF officials
EU research funding
Decisions on EU research funding key during the current parliamentary term (2024–2029)
During the current parliamentary term, the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament will decide on the EU’s next financial framework for the years 2028–2034. The financial framework also includes the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, which is an important part of the framework for Finland. The current framework programme, Horizon Europe, has a budget of approximately 95 billion euros for 2021–2027.
In Finland, there is parliamentary consensus that research and innovation play a crucial role in increasing productivity, reforming business and industry and creating general welfare. The goal is to increase national R&D investments to 4 per cent of GDP by 2030.
A significant increase in the European Union’s next RDI budget is necessary to strengthen both the EU’s and Finland’s knowledge base, competitiveness and self-sufficiency in knowledge and research. Excellence as the cornerstone of the framework programme must be maintained. The framework programmes have for decades provided funding for high-quality RDI projects and helped create new knowledge and new skills and shored up Europe’s competitiveness. The funding to be distributed under the next framework programme (FP10) must be earmarked and allocated to excellent research and innovation.
Press release (10 Jul 2024): EU’s RDI activities require ambitious investment as well as greater clarity, efficiency and impact
