Business Finland's funding opens new opportunities for SMEs in research and development

The Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke) is committed to helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) develop innovations based on renewable natural resources, scale their businesses, and enhance their international competitiveness. With the new Co-Research call from Business Finland, companies can leverage Luke’s multidisciplinary expertise and extensive research infrastructures. 

SMEs are significant contributors to employment and exports. One of the Finnish government's goals is to double the number of growth-oriented medium-sized companies by 2030. Business Finland’s new funding call supports this goal and enables research collaboration for companies.

Through research collaboration, companies can accelerate the development of their business. Luke can help companies utilize technological opportunities in the natural resources sector, as well as create new solutions and ideas. 

The path to innovation is often filled with challenges related to regulation, commercialization, and financing. Luke’s experience in innovation activities, various funding opportunities, and building research consortia helps SMEs navigate these issues.

The application period ends on November 29, 2024

Business Finland’s Co-Research projects must involve at least three SMEs, and funding is granted for projects implemented by one or more research organizations. The topics of the projects are not restricted.

Planning the dissemination of research results is a central part of the research project. The participating companies have priority in negotiations for the use of protected results.

The application period for Co-Research funding is from August 6 to November 29, 2024, and funding decisions are expected at the beginning of 2025.