Strategic research themes

The Strategic Research Council's (SRC) funding programmes are based on changing themes. Proposals on new themes are formulated annually through an interactive theme process. At the end of the process, the SRC submits a proposal to the Finnish Government on the next themes and priorities of strategic research. Through its decision on the themes, the Government steers high-quality and long-term research into solving major societal challenges.

The preparation of the theme proposal focuses proactively on major societal challenges and major changes in a long-term perspective. The interactive process in support of the SRC’s theme preparation to chart societal challenges consists, among other things, of an open online survey, theme workshops and an open consultation where the scientific community and knowledge users can discuss the proposed themes. At the end of the process, the SRC submits a proposal to the Government on next year’s themes and priorities. The SRC opens the research programmes for the following year and the related calls for applications based on the Government’s decision.

The premise for the SRC is to sift out the following types of themes:

themes that are key challenges for the future of Finland
themes that are sufficiently horizontal
themes that extensively affect different sectors of society
themes that are sufficiently distinct from each other
themes that require new knowledge produced by multidisciplinary research.

Current theme preparation

SRC’s preparation of strategic research themes for 2022

Open online survey 21 Oct–12 Nov 2020, read the news release
Theme workshops for stakeholders, February 2021
Public consultation, 20 May 2021, watch recording from the event here (available until 7 June)
SRC decision on theme proposal and submission to the Government June 2020, read press release
Government decision on themes 29 September 2021, read the decision
SRC decision on two programmes (YOUNG and SHIELD) that will open in 2022; programme calls launched (first stage open until 12 Jan 2022; see Open calls

Previous themes

The strategic research themes previously decided by the Finnish Government are as follows.

Themes for 2021

Demographic changes – causes, consequences and solutions
Environmental and social links to biodiversity loss
Pandemics as a challenge for society

Government press release

Themes for 2020

Dealing with Climate Change – the Human Perspective
Information Literacy and Evidence Informed Decision-Making

Government press release

Themes for 2019

Towards a Sustainable, Healthy and Climate-Neutral Food System
Innovative Materials and Services to Promote Resource Wisdom and Sustainable Development
The Evolving Role of Public Authority and the Potential for Steering Society
Culture in an Increasingly Technologically Driven Society

Government press release (in Finnish)