Finnish Flagship Programme
The Research Council of Finland’s Flagship Programme is an instrument that supports high-quality research and increases the economic and societal impact emerging from the research. The Finnish Flagships represent an effective mix of close cooperation with business and society, adaptability and a strong commitment from host organisations.
International collaboration is an integral part of the Flagships’ activities. The RCF promotes international cooperation in flagship fields through special actions together with its American partners. Read more about the RCF's cooperation with the United States.
The Flagships create future know-how and sustainable solutions to societal challenges and promote economic growth by, for example, developing new business opportunities.
The Finnish Flagship Programme comprises fourteen Flagships, whose host organisations include nine universities, six research institutes, Helsinki University Hospital, the Finnish Red Cross Blood Service and CSC – IT Centre for Science Ltd.
The RCF’s total funding contribution to the Finnish Flagship Programme comes to almost 300 million euros.
By providing substantial long-term funding, the programme accelerates active collaboration between different actors and facilitates the development and expansion and systematic operations
We have grouped the Flagships on our website according to three themes:
- Disruptive technologies
- Health, wellbeing and education
- Environment and natural resources
Disruptive technologies
University of Oulu
The 6G Flagship is the world’s first large-scale 6G research programme, building on 5G technologies and shaping the future 6G standard. The Flagship advances the commercialisation of 5G solutions through European pilots and test networks, while developing the core technologies for 6G in wireless connectivity and AI-based distributed computing, enabling new future applications. This work lays the foundation for a highly automated, intelligent society that may transform many aspects of everyday life.
Read more:
University of Eastern Finland, Aalto University, University of Helsinki, Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Jyväskylä, LUT University, University of Oulu, Tampere University
The FAME Flagship develops applied mathematics, physics and computational methods to meet societal needs such as medical imaging, industrial process monitoring, non-destructive testing of structures, and remote sensing. Based on world-class research in inverse problems and imaging sciences, FAME works closely with partners from industry and society. Industrial collaborators in healthcare, clean technologies and sustainable and safe environments co-develop new solutions together with the Flagship.
Read more:
Aalto University, University of Helsinki, VTT
The Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI) brings together top researchers and actors from industry and the public sector to solve real-world problems using existing and entirely new AI methodologies. The Flagship’s vision is to create genuinely intelligent AI that collaborates with people in real-world situations: “Real AI for real people in the real world.”
Read more:
Tampere University, Aalto University, VTT, University of Eastern Finland
The Flagship on Photonics Research and Innovation (PREIN) is part of the Finnish Flagship Programme, a northern fleet of excellent science, successful collaboration and solutions for tomorrow.
The Finnish Flagship Programme managed by the Research Council of Finland provides a new and unique way for RDI in Finland. It supports future knowledge and sustainable solutions to societal challenges and seeks to advance economic growth by developing new business opportunities.
PREIN is a light-based technologies competence cluster for multidisciplinary science, industry and society. Combining the extensive resources and infrastructures of all its partners (Tampere University, Aalto University, University of Eastern Finland and VTT), PREIN covers the entire value chain from fundamental research to applied research, product development and commercialisation.
Read more:
Aalto University, University of Helsinki, CSC, University of Jyväskylä, Tampere University, University of Oulu and VTT
The Finnish Quantum Flagship brings together national excellence in quantum technology in the fields of physics, information technology, mathematics, nanotechnology and economics. The aim is to strengthen and expand the national quantum technology research and innovation ecosystem. The targeted actions of FQF are to grow new businesses, continue the long tradition of scientific excellence, create new synergies between groups throughout the nation, attract and retain top-tier talent, influence policy and build a world-leading quantum-literate society. Quantum technology is expected to revolutionise many areas of science, technology and industry, from clean energy production and drug design through quantum computation to the development of ultra-precise sensors and quantum-secure encryption technologies.
Health, wellbeing and education
University of Eastern Finland, University of Oulu, University of Helsinki, Aalto University, Finnish Red Cross Blood Service
The GeneCellNano Flagship develops new biological medicines (ATMPs), biomarkers and diagnostic innovations for treating chronic diseases. The Flagship brings together Finland’s leading researchers in gene, cell and nanotherapies with clinical and industrial actors to form an ecosystem aiming for international leadership in this fast-developing field. GeneCellNano develops new therapies for cardiovascular diseases, retinal disorders and several cancers. Innovative basic research, high-quality production technologies, strong clinical expertise and an extensive international network form the foundation of the Flagship.
Read more:
University of Jyväskylä, University of Helsinki, Aalto University, University of Turku
The EDUCA Flagship increases understanding of variations in individual and social learning processes and the factors explaining differences between schools. The research aims to identify pupils’ optimal learning moments as well as problems related to school engagement and reasons behind increasing absenteeism and school avoidance. The Flagship also develops scalable digital solutions to support classroom practices and uses timely technologies in learning contexts where they have proven to improve outcomes. Through the data infrastructure built in the Flagship, extensive longitudinal datasets on children’s and young people’s learning outcomes can be collected.
Read more:
University of Helsinki, HUS
The iCAN Flagship provides solutions to the cancer challenge through discoveries and innovations at the interface of precision cancer medicine and digital health. In a large pan-cancer project, iCAN integrates detailed information from tumours with other health and lifestyle data in a novel way. The improved understanding of tumour development in the context of other tissues, including the immune system, enables the discovery of new targets for diagnostics and treatment. Active participation of patients at all levels is a key element ensuring benefits to the patients. Partnerships with companies from the pharma, biotech and AI sectors are critical and enable inclusion of early drug leads, new technologies and the development of the competence cluster.
Read more:
University of Turku, Åbo Akademi University
The InFLAMES Flagship focuses on the human immune system. Its goal is to develop new medicines and diagnostics based on a profound understanding of immune system function. The research starts from the premise that a well-functioning immune system is essential to human health and that immune system disturbances underlie almost all diseases. The Flagship believes that solutions to serious diseases can be found in immunology.
Read more:
University of Turku, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare
The INVEST Flagship develops a more equal, preventive and economically and socially sustainable welfare state model for Finland. The Flagship studies the constraints on the wellbeing and skills of children, young people and young adults, and identifies gaps in welfare services and support systems. It also develops, tests and evaluates evidence-based interventions to reduce disadvantage. INVEST shifts the focus of the welfare state from compensation to prevention.
Read more:
Environment and natural resources
University of Helsinki, Finnish Meteorological Institute, University of Eastern Finland, Tampere University
The ACCC Flagship advances the goals of the Paris Agreement through research-based solutions. Its aims include climate change mitigation and adaptation, increasing carbon sequestration in forests and soils, and improving air quality. Collaboration with public and private sectors supports effective climate policy and generates new practical solutions through corporate partnerships.
Read more:
University of Oulu, University of Turku, Aalto University, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finnish Environment Institute
The DIWA Flagship builds a water research cluster that produces scientific knowledge and innovations while educating a new generation of water sector experts. DIWA advances the digitalisation of water systems to support sustainable water resource management. Digital twins based on measurements and modelling support decision-making and help assess impacts on surface and groundwater. Pilot regions test real-time measurements and data management, enhancing preparedness for floods and droughts and creating new business opportunities.
Read more:
Aalto University, VTT
The FinnCERES Flagship promotes the bioeconomy through new bio-based material solutions. This multidisciplinary competence cluster develops primarily wood-based material innovations that support sustainable economic growth and the transition to a carbon-neutral society. Breakthroughs in bio-based materials are essential not only for the environment but also for socially and economically sustainable wellbeing. The Flagship’s scientific results address global challenges related to resource sufficiency, climate change and quality of life.
Read more:
University of Eastern Finland, National Land Survey’s Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, Tampere University, Natural Resources Institute Finland
The UNITE Flagship is a competence cluster combining high-quality research with societal impact. The Flagship promotes a climate-smart, resource-efficient and human-centric society by supporting forest resilience, sustainable ecosystem service production, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and meaningful life for present and future generations. Its goal is to make Finland the leading competence centre in forest bioeconomy, forest data, geospatial technologies and gamification.
Read more:
News
- The Academy of Finland funds research collaboration between Finland and USA (press release 16 Dec 2021)
- The Academy of Finland to introduce new opportunities for Finnish-American research collaboration (press release 26 Nov 2020)
- The Academy of Finland selects four new Finnish Flagships (press release 16 Nov 2020)
- The Academy of Finland selects four new flagships (press release 8 Jan 2019)
- 8 applications go through to second stage of Research Council of Finland’s Flagship Programme call (press release 10 Jan 2018)
- The Academy of Finland selects first two competence clusters to the new Flagship Programme (press release 18 Apr 2018)
Cooperation with companies
They work closely with business and other sectors of society, and their collaborators include a great number of large enterprises, SMEs and start-ups from different fields as well as educational institutions, hospitals and other public actors.
