Editorial 1/2026

We have entered an exciting phase in the long continuum of EU funding, as the current funding period for the Horizon Europe program is coming to an end. This program has been a key additional resource for us in research, innovation, and development projects. It has enabled us to strengthen our expertise in strategic growth areas and also to launch entirely new business operations.

During this funding period so far, Tampere Region has received around €150 million this highly competitive funding. The Tampere Universities (TUNI) is the largest beneficiary, having received around €100 million. The private sector has received around €35 million. These figures demonstrate the competitiveness of our expertise, as well as our ability to find the right partners and submit successful applications. It is worth remembering that research and innovation funding is worthwhile for a net contributor such as Finland — for every euro invested, around €1.8 is returned.

In the short term, our aim is to utilise the remaining Horizon funding as efficiently as possible. This involves actively participating in ongoing calls for proposals and making the most of existing and new partnerships. We are already familiar with the work packages for 2026–27, and our funding advisory services can help you identify the most suitable opportunities.

At the same time, we are firmly focused on the next funding period, which will begin in 2028. The upcoming tenth framework program is currently being strongly linked to the future Competitiveness Fund, while remaining an independent entity. The MFF will continue to focus on skills development and new innovations. The Competitiveness Fund’s task is productization and commercialization.

The so-called second pillar of the current Horizon Europe programme, which focuses on cooperation between companies and research institutes, is particulary important to us. Our aim is to ensure that this link is strong between the two future funding instruments. The intention is also to significantly simplify the funding structure. The current 14 programmes will be merged into one comprising four policy areas: Clean Transition and Low Carbon; Digital Leadership; Health and Biotechnology; and Security, Defence and Space. These areas align well with our strategic choices. The total funding available will be around €76 billion, most of which will be managed through the Competitiveness Fund.

In our advocacy work, it is important to us that research and innovation funding continues to be based solely on excellence, rather than being used to level out differences in development between European countries. There are other specific instruments designed for that purpose. Funding should also target new innovations and business activities, rather than supporting existing industries.

EU funding is an important tool, but ultimately, our success depends on setting ambitious goals, fostering cooperation and embracing innovative thinking. We have experience in this, and the evidence to prove it. In this context, it is worth remembering that EU funding often requires national co-financing. To ensure this, we must be alert and active when the futures government program is being prepared.