Finnish Rectors oppose government's proposal for R&D funding to include innovation

News Tank Academic - Paris - News #456125 - Published on 06/10/26 at 16:04
Heikki Holopainen, Executive Director of UNIFI. -

Finnish universities are opposing the government's proposal for a law amending the Act on State Research and Development Financing for 2024-2030, which would "change the content of R&D funding and obscure the picture of how much is actually invested in it".

The Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities (UNIFI) published a statement on 05/10/2026 saying that it does not support the government's proposal because it states that R&D funding could also include funding for "innovation activities that do not meet the definition of research and development activities, particularly problematic".

"The objectives of R&D funding and the principles guiding their implementation must be adhered to, even in economically challenging times," UNIFI said.

According to the rectors, considering innovation…

Heikki Holopainen, Executive Director of UNIFI. -

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