Finnish science policy has been developed on a long term with a view to strengthening the national innovation system. The aim of science policy is to enhance knowledge and the level and international visibility of Finnish research in cooperation with different stakeholders. With a view to promoting the international success of research, support is given to high-standard research and to research expected to make international breakthroughs with additional input.

The priorities in science policy in 2009 are

• to consolidate internationalism
• to develop researcher training and research careers
• to step up interaction between research and society.

Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen's Second Government will increase public R&D funding with the aim of raising the GDP share of R&D to four per cent. According to the Government Programme, public R&D funding will be increased through Academy of Finland research funding and through university core funding. The Government stresses the quality and impact of research.

The development of scientific research is based on the Development Plan for Education and Research and policy outlined by the Science and Technology Policy Council.

In the Ministry of Education, science policy comes under the Department for Education and Science Policy