Finland has been successful in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). In June 2006, there were Finnish participants in 862 EU-funded projects within the FP6. The projects usually have several Finnish participants; thus, the total number of Finnish participants is as many as 1213.

Participations by Finnish partners are divided by organisation type as follows: universities 34%, research centres 27%, large companies 15%, SMEs 15% and others 8%.

According to preliminary estimates, Finland is to receive funding from the Framework Programme totalling about € 298 million. (30 June 2006)

EU Research Framework Programmes

The European Union's Research Framework Programme funds R&D projects and networks that are carried out through international cooperation. Research centres, universities, small and large companies and other organisations that conduct or utilise research, such as a federation or a city, are eligible to participate in the Programme. Projects are selected for funding from among the proposals submitted to the European Commission during the given periods of application. The proposals are evaluated by external experts representing various fields and in vited by the Commission.

The EU's long-term Research Framework Programme (FP) is the main instrument of EU science and technology policy. The goals, focus areas and volume of EU research policy are defined with the help of the five-year FP, which includes European Union (EU) and European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) programmes. The EU has its own research organisation, the Joint Research Centre (JRC). In Finland, issues related to EU research and technology policy are prepared and coordinated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Finland's share of the costs for EU research activities is included in Finland's membership fee to the EU. The EU research budget for 2004 came to € 4,815 million. Finland's share of this amounted to approximately € 72 million.

The EU's Sixth Framework Programme (2002-2006) was launched in December 2002 with a budget of about € 17.9 billion. FP6 aims to contribute to the creation of the European Research Area (ERA). Interaction and cooperation between national and European R&D is essential for the development of the international competitiveness of science and technology.

COST

COST, European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research, coordinates nationally funded research between its 35 Member States in Europe through its cooperation networks (COST Actions). The primary goal of this cooperation, established in 1971, is to raise the standard and competitiveness of the research carried out in Europe. Thus, it strongly supports the fulfilment of the EU's Lisbon strategy objectives. COST projects aim to coordinate and bring together research dispersed across different countries, to create long-standing researcher networks, to exchange the latest information on the research topic, to create permanent forums for the cooperation of various actors in the field and to bring new important topics to the European research agenda.

According to the bottom-up principle, projects can be launched on topics proposed by the researchers in any area of research or technology. The number of projects has grown steadily since the early 1990s, except for the transition period in 2003 when the secretariat in charge of COST's project activities was transferred from the Commission to the European Science Foundation (ESF).

2004 was a very active year for COST. The new COST office operating under the ESF began its activities in Brussels at the beginning of 2004, which generated a renaissance in COST projects and especially the launch of new projects. There were as many as 52 new projects in 2004. Financially the increase has caused challenges, and in 2005 the number of new projects was only 32.

Finland participated in 135 of the 173 COST projects that were ongoing at the end of 2005. 26 of the 36 new projects initiated during the year had Finnish participants. Three of the new projects were activated and coordinated by Finnish partners, which is an excellent achievement. Overall, Finland continues to make a significant contribution to COST.

EUREKA

The EUREKA Initiative is a European cooperation network established in 1985, which carries out nationally funded industrial R&D. Thirty-nine countries as well as the European Union, which is represented by the European Commission, are members of EUREKA. The aim of EUREKA is to raise the competitiveness of European companies to a top level in the world. The projects are market-oriented, industry-driven high-technology R&D projects initiated by European industrial companies and intended for developing products, processes and services for global markets. Through its activities, EUREKA has since 1985 proven its importance in strengthening European technology cooperation and the competitiveness of European industry, which has increased employment and general welfare in accordance with EUREKA’s strategic plan.

Companies and public funders have since 1985 invested EUR 29 billion in nearly 3,900 EUREKA projects. In May 2010, there were a total of 1,050 ongoing individual, cluster and Eurostars project in EUREKA’s project portfolio, with a total volume of EUR 3.7 billion. Finland’s share in ongoing EUREKA projects in June 2006 in proportion to the GNP was the highest among the EUREKA Member States.

Finland’s participation in new projects in the 21st century has been more extensive than earlier. In June 2010, a total of 278 new EUREKA projects with an overall volume of EUR 1.000 billion were approved. Finnish participants were involved in 34 projects whose total volume was EUR 224 million. Finland's investment totalled EUR 54 million. The proportion of EUREKA projects in Tekes’ funding decisions has been increasing strongly, accounting for EUR 33 million in 2009 and for EUR 12.7 million in June 2010.

Additional information:
www.tekes.fi/eureka
www.eurekanetwork.org