Mainpage Research International cooperation

International scientific cooperation

International interaction is a precondition for high-standard research. Finland cooperates within the European Union (EU) and with other countries based on agreements as well as informally. In addition, organisations and individuals have their own arrangements.

Science policy cooperation in the EU

The EU is in the process of establishing a European Research Area to promote joint research and step up the use of research results. The objective is to improve employment and competitiveness in Europe. Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation (SFIC) is a strategic forum and an advisory body of the EU Council and the Commission with a view to implementing a European Partnership in the field of international scientific and technological cooperation.

The EU finances R&D in the member countries by means of framework programmes. The EU R&D Framework Programme is an important part of Finland's international R&D cooperation. About five per cent of university research funding comes from the EU.

In Finland, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy prepares and coordinates matters relating to EU research policy. The Ministry of Education and Culture is responsible for matters relating to basic research, modernisation of higher education, researcher training and mobility, research infrastructures, bio and medical sciences, environmental sciences, social sciences, science-society relations and cooperation with non-EU countries.

Research cooperation with areas adjacent to Finland include Nordic cooperation, which is expanding to the Baltic states, arctic research, and cooperation with Russia. An organisation called NordForsk promotes cooperation among the Nordic countries.

Science policy cooperation with countries outside Europe

The changes brought about by scientific activity and global challenges are also reflected in the Finnish science policy. Cooperation across various networks and through joint programmes in Europe and beyond will be increasingly important.

Non-European countries, in particular such emerging economies as China, India, Brazil and Russia, will create new possibilities globally, but also competition in the field of science and research. The European Union science and technology cooperation with non-European countries will intensify, and Finland will play an active part in this development.

International organisations and networks

International research organisations build large research equipment, which no one country could afford alone, and put them at the disposal of researchers. Apart from high-standard research, these organisations carry out significant technology development.

Finland participates in the work of many international research organisations, notably:

  • European Organization for Nuclear Research CERN
  • European Molecular Biology Laboratory EMBL
  • European Space Agency ESA
  • European Southern Observatory ESO
  • European Synchrotron Radiation Facility ESRF

Organisations promoting cooperation between national research systems include:

  • European Science Foundation ESF
  • European Cooperation in Science and Technology COST
  • European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures ESFRI

Global science forums include organisations subordinate to UNESCO and OECD committees and working groups.

Finland participates in the European research area ERA groups

  • ERA Committee ERAC
  • Joint programming group GPC
  • Steering Group for Human Resources and Mobility SGHRM
  • Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation SFIC
  • European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures ESFRI
  • Knowledge Transfer group

Mainpage Research International cooperation