Hello all !
Below is a summary of ongoing and upcoming calls. If you need any additional information, please don't hesitate to contact me !
RESEARCH COUNCIL OF FINLAND
M-ERA.NET 3 Joint Call 2025 in materials research and innovationhttps://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/apply-for-funding/calls-for-applications/international-calls/m-era.net-3-joint-call-2025-in-materials-research-and-innovation/ DL 13.5.202 The call has six thematic areas:
* Sustainable advanced materials for energy
* Innovative surfaces, coatings and interfaces * Advanced composites and lightweight materials * Functional materials * Materials addressing environmental challenges * Next-generation materials for advanced electronics. The call has two stages. The pre-proposal deadline is 13 May 2025, and the full-proposal deadline is 19 November 2025. The Research Council of Finland has earmarked a total of 1,500,000 euros for joint projects within the call.
NORDFORSK
NordForsk-call: Responsible use of Artificial Intelligencehttps://www.nordforsk.org/calls/call-proposals-responsible-use-artificial-intelligence, DL 13.5.2025 The aim of this call is to fund excellent research activities that address shared Nordic and Nordic-Baltic societal challenges in the context of extensive use and implementation of AI. The call should contribute to competence-building among Nordic and Nordic-Baltic research communities and strengthen networks and collaborations.
NordForsk call: Sustainable Futures of Forests https://www.nordforsk.org/calls/call-proposals-sustainable-futures-forests DL 27.5.2025 The Joint Nordic-Baltic initiative on sustainable futures of forests is an important collaboration that addresses the pressing challenges facing forests in the Nordic and Baltic regions. The projects to be funded are expected to address issues related to forestry, biodiversity and societal transformations.
Call for proposals on Antagonistic threats challenging societal security in the Nordic and Baltic countries, DL 12.6.2025https://www.nordforsk.org/calls/call-proposals-antagonistic-threats-challenging-societal-security-nordic-and-baltic-countries The aim of the call is to fund research projects in the societal security field that will contribute to increased knowledge about antagonistic threats and societal security in the Nordic-Baltic region. Antagonistic threats are human initiated and carried out by individuals, groups, organisations or governments and range from hybrid attacks, cyber-attacks, information manipulation, hybrid threats and armed actions from states to gang-related violence, youth violence, organised crime and terrorism. Applicants should address one or more of the following aspects in proposals:
* resilience, prevention and meeting internal and/or external antagonistic threats to societal security * Nordic or Nordic-Baltic models for total defence * governance, capacities and regulation at multiple levels within societal security * relationships between aspects of societal/civil security, * total defence and state security * trade-offs between personal integrity and security
Call for proposals: Nordic Research Infrastructure Hubshttps://www.nordforsk.org/calls/call-proposals-nordic-research-infrastructure-hubs DL 21.5.2025 A Nordic Research Infrastructure Hub is a long-term partnership between Nordic universities, universities of applied sciences, university colleges, research institutes and/or managers of research infrastructure in a consortium that provides a framework for establishing, enhancing and/or expanding RI cooperation in the Nordic region.
Indigenous guidelines for NordForsk, DL 14.8.2025 NordForsk announces funding (0,5 M€) for a project that will produce a report to support the formulation of the Nordic guidelines for research involving Indigenous people.
Upcoming: Nordic programme for research networks within natural science and related engineering fieldshttps://www.aka.fi/tutkimusrahoitus/hae-rahoitusta/haut/kv-haut/nordforsk-haku-nordic-programme-for-research-networks-within-natural-science-and-related-engineering-fields/ DL 14.8.2025 The aim of the call is to strengthen cooperation between early-career researchers and thereby boost the international competitiveness of Nordic research and its ability to create new innovative science. Aimed at early-career researchers, the call encourages researchers to form networks across national and disciplinary boundaries. The call opens in spring 2025. The deadline for applications is 14 August 2025.
MINISTERIÖT (in Finnish only)
Maa-ja metsätalousministeriöhttps://mmm.fi/tutkimus/hakuilmoitukset Erityisavustus FOOD2.0 TKI-haku 2025https://mmm.fi/-/mmm-avaa-tutkimus-ja-kehittamishankehaun-joka-tukee-food2.0-ohjelmaa DL 12.5.2025 Haun taustalla on Business Finlandin rahoittama ja Valion Veturi-yrityksenä kokoama FOOD2.0-ohjelmahttps://www.valio.com/we-are-valio/food-2-0/, jossa pyritään kokoamaan yhteen ruokajärjestelmän toimijat ja tutkimuslaitokset työskentelemään yhdessä kohti tulevaisuuden luontoviisasta ruokajärjestelmää. MMM:n TKI-hankehaku tukee etenkin FOOD2.0-veturihankkeen tavoitteiden teemoja kolme (Regenerative production) ja neljä (Circular economy & resource efficiency). Tutkimushankkeiden rahoittamiseen on varattu kaudella 2025-2029 noin 5 miljoonaa euroa. Maa- ja metsätalousministeriö vastaa hankkeiden rahoituksesta, arvioinnista sekä haun hallinnoinnista. Haun painopisteet ovat:
1. Maatilojen riskit muuttuvassa toimintaympäristössä 2. Ravinteiden kierron tehostaminen systeemi- ja tilatasolla 3. Uusien tekniikoiden tehokas hyödyntäminen kasvinjalostuksessa 4. Pellon monimuotoisuuden, kasvukunnon ja viljelyvarmuuden sekä luonnon monimuotoisuuden lisääminen
RAKENNERAHASTOHAUT (EAKR, ESR, JTF) (in Finnish only)
Pohjois-Suomen avoimet rakennerahastohaut Ennallistamiseen ja jälkikäyttöön liittyvien JTF-hankkeiden haku Pohjois-Pohjanmaalla, Lapissa ja Kainuussahttps://eura2021.fi/hakuilmoitukset/hakuilmoitus/d3bf2f98-0fa2-4e0d-b136-e430436b2990/ DL 19.5., 25.8., 27.10.2025 JTF-hankehaku työllisyyteen ja osaamiseen liittyen Pohjois-Pohjanmaalla ja Lapissahttps://eura2021.fi/hakuilmoitukset/hakuilmoitus/119f7603-3683-4f2b-ab1d-f47e24e4a842/ DL 5.6.2025 ja 30.9.2025
INTERREG
Interreg Aurorahttps://www.interregaurora.eu/projects/calls-for-applications/: Call 7 opens 8.9.2025, DL 6.10.2025
* All Priorities and Specific Objectives open * Certain topics and specific details can achieve extra points, read the call specific terms * Aurora includes regions of Finland, Sweden and Norway
Interreg NPAhttps://www.interreg-npa.eu/apply-for-funding/calls-for-projects/ (Northern Periphery and the Arctic): Call for clustering projects between NPA and Aurorahttps://www.interreg-npa.eu/apply-for-funding/calls-for-projects/clustering-call/ opens 8.9.2025, DL 6.10.2025 Projects funded by either programme during the funding period 2021-2027 are invited to join efforts and submit a clustering project application that leads to better outputs and results and a greater outreach for the dissemination of the results from the two programmes.
Interreg NPA: 6th Call for projects for main and small-scale capacity building projectshttps://www.interreg-npa.eu/apply-for-funding/calls-for-projects/6th-call-for-projects/, DL 02.02.2026
FOUNDATIONS
Review the deadlines of Finnish foundations HERE.https://research.fi/en/funding-calls?status=open
Read a blog on applying for funding from Finnish foundations. The blog gives you some general tips for writing a proposal. What to take into consideration when applying for funding from Finnish foundationshttps://www.oulu.fi/en/blogs/overheads/what-take-consideration-when-applying-funding-finnish-foundations
Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundationhttps://jaes.fi/en/frontpage/ (continuous call) High-level, international scientific research. Decisions to award grants by the Board of Trustees, which meet four times a year.
Finnish Innovation Fund -Sitra -Luonnon terveyshyödyt osaksi suomalaisten arkea DL 21.5.2025https://www.sitra.fi/hankkeet/rahoitushaku-luonnon-terveyshyodyt-osaksi-suomalaisten-arkea/#mista-on-kyse
Future Makers Research Funding Program 2025, Funding call for strategic research ideashttps://techfinland100.fi/future-makers-program-2025/ DL 31.5.2025 The aim is to initiate high-level, ambitious strategic research openings that combine internationally top-level science and industrial impact. We wish to see research opening ideas that aim at building long-term sustainable renewal and new business models of the Finnish technology industry. The foundations wish to encourage joint actions that focus on universities' strategic strengths and spark new growth - with the aim to encourage long-term cooperation between researchers and companies.
Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundationhttps://wihurinrahasto.fi/?lang=en DL 31.5.2025 Grants for doctoral thesis work, and postdoc research. Different fields of science, both basic and applied research.
Nessling Foundation – the million-euro Murros-call seeks solutions for breaking away from structural overconsumptionhttps://nessling.fi/en/the-nessling-foundation-launches-a-new-funding-call-the-million-euro-murros-call-seeks-solutions-for-breaking-away-from-structural-overconsumption/ DL 29.8.2025
Call funds two two-year projects: multidisciplinary projects that will provide deeper understanding, new perspectives and science-based solutions for breaking away from structural overconsumption. The projects must be carried out by a Finnish research organisation
PostDoc Poolhttps://postdocpooli.fi/en/ DL 15.9.2025
Postdoc scholars heading abroad from Finland for 6 to 24 months.
Kone Foundationhttps://koneensaatio.fi/en/grants/ DL 15.9.2025
The Foundation supports academic research in humanities, social sciences and environmental sciences
HORIZON EUROPE
ERC (European Research Council)
ERC Starting Granthttps://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/starting-grant 2026, DL October 2025 For researchers with 2-7 years of experience since completion of PhD.
ERC Consolidator Granthttps://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/consolidator-grant 2026, DL January 2026 For researchers with 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD.
ERC Advanced Granthttps://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/advanced-grant 2025, DL August 28, 2025 ( ERC Advanced Grant 2026, DL August 2026)
ERC Synergy Granthttps://erc.europa.eu/apply-grant/synergy-grant 2026, DL November 2025 A group of two to maximum four Principal Investigators (PIs) working together and bringing different skills and resources to tackle ambitious research problems.
NOTE !
* You can register to our ERC support processhttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/services-and-instructions/research-support/funding-instruments/horizon-europe-european-research?check_logged_in=1 for the calls opening in 2025 by answering a short Webropol questionnairehttps://link.webropolsurveys.com/Participation/Public/79cb8f92-9530-409c-a791-a247ab0c34a0?displayId=Fin2557177 * Changes expected for the ERC applicationshttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/news/changes-expected-erc-applications.
Some changes for 2026 Workprogramme, such as changes in the eligibility criteria and the proposal structure, are expected.
MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE ACTIONS
Opens 23 January, DL 24.6. 2025.
New or existing doctoral or postdoctoral programmes. A single legal entity can apply. Additional partners can be included.
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowshipshttps://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships, DL 14.9. 2025
For postdocs (max 8 years experience in research, from the date of the award of their PhD degree)
European fellowships & Global Fellowships
MSCA Doctoral Networkshttps://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks, DL 25.11.2025
Doctoral Networks implement doctoral programmes, by partnerships of universities, research institutions and infrastructures, businesses including SMEs, and other socio-economic actors from different countries across Europe and beyond. These doctoral programmes will respond to well-identified needs in various research and innovation areas, expose the researchers to the academic and non-academic sectors, and offer research training, as well as transferable skills and competences relevant for innovation and long-term employability.
EIC – EUROPEAN INNOVATION COUNCIL
EIC Pathfinder Openhttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/news/support-eic-pathfinder-open-2025-proposal-preparation, DL 21.5.2025 European Innovation Council (EIC) is Europe’s flagship innovation programme to identify, develop and scale up breakthrough technologies and game changing innovations. EIC Pathfinder Openhttps://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder_en supports the exploration of bold ideas for radically new technologies. It welcomes the high-risk/high gain and interdisciplinary cutting-edge science collaborations that underpin technological breakthroughs. Grants of up to EUR 3 million. Any field of science and technology.
EIC Pathfinder Challenges 2025https://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-pathfinder/eic-pathfinder-challenges-2025_en, DL 29.10.2025 -Advanced materials development & upscale -Biotechnology driven low emission food -Creating European Champions in Gen AI -Innovative in-space servicing, operations, robotics and technologies - Breakthrough innovations for future mobility Budget max 4M€ per project.
EIC Transitionhttps://eic.ec.europa.eu/eic-funding-opportunities/eic-transition_en, DL 17.9.2025 2025 Funding for technology validation and commercialisation of results created in EIC or Horizon projects
HORIZON EUROPE PILLAR II: GLOBAL CHALLENGES AND EUROPEAN INDUSTRIAL COMPETITIVENESS – CLUSTERS (Consortium projects)
Almost all Pillar II calls open in May 2025, with deadlines in September -November 2025. NOTE ! A summary of 2025 calls is available in Teamshttps://unioulu.sharepoint.com/:x:/r/sites/HorizonEuropeConsortiumprojectPillarIIsupport/_layouts/15/Doc2.aspx?action=edit&sourcedoc=%7Bcca1564a-0a89-4765-9403-d58e00f460be%7D&wdOrigin=TEAMS-MAGLEV.teamsSdk_ns.rwc&wdExp=TEAMS-TREATMENT&wdhostclicktime=1742305731554&web=1 Further information in Patiohttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/services-and-instructions/research-support/funding-instruments/horizon-europe-consortium-projects.
CLUSTER 1: Health https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-1-health_en CLUSTER 2: Culture, creativity and inclusive societyhttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-2-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-society_en CLUSTER 3: Civil Security for Societyhttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-3-civil-security-society_en CLUSTER 4: Digital, Industry and Spacehttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-4-digital-industry-and-space_en CLUSTER 5: Climate, Energy and Mobilityhttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-5-climate-energy-and-mobility_en CLUSTER 6: Food, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environmenthttps://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe/cluster-6-food-bioeconomy-natural-resources-agriculture-and-environment_en
EVENTS
How to write a successful Horizon Europe ERC grant proposal,https://patio.oulu.fi/en/events/online-erc-training-19-2052025 19.-20.5.2025 This two-part webinar-form training provides a roadmap to submission, tackling stumbling blocks that you, as Principal Investigator (PI), may have when writing your ERC grant application. This training will focus on creating the right mindset for submitting a proposal, covering the ERC objectives and evaluation criteria, what the panels expect, how to strategically approach the design of the project, and how to generate a convincing argumentation that will allow the reviewers to understand the feasibility of your ambitious research project. This training will also guide participants systematically through the different parts of the proposal writing, addressing the critical elements for writing the CV part, extended synopsis and B2.
Please note that training lasts for two days: Monday 19 May, 9:30-12:00 and Tuesday 20 May, 9:30-12:00
The training will be recorded, and the recordings will be made available to the registered participants. Registerhttps://patio.oulu.fi/en/events/online-erc-training-19-2052025 by 16.5.2025
RESEARCH PROFESSIONAL FUNDING SEARCH - INTERNATIONAL FUNDING DATABASE
* Free access to all UOULU employees * Create automated funding call notifications on topics of your interest * Get info on opening calls and forecasts based on the calls of previous years
Use the Research Professionalhttp://newsletter-researchfunding.oulu.fi/go/33899589-1341806-95376481 search tool to find further funding possibilities for your research. To log in open the drop-down menu on the log in page on the left under the tab "With your university account" and choose University of Oulu from the listed institutions. Use your Haka login information to sign in.
SCIENCE | BUSINESS SERVICEhttps://sciencebusiness.net/ We have joined the Science | Business service which offers up-to-date info on the current affairs in EU level funding and advocacy. It provides research, industry, and policy news, and newsletters that are now fully available for us. This is the source to hear about ongoing EU affairs, network in thematic areas and influence the future EU funding opportunities.
Best regards Päivi
Päivi Tomperi Research Funding Specialist (Faculty of Science, SGO, KSI, Kajaani) University of Oulu Research and Project Services Pentti Kaiteran katu 1 PL 8000 90014 University of Oulu Finland
tel. +358 294 483972 mobile: +358 (0)40 7468503 e-mail: paivi.tomperi@oulu.fimailto:paivi.tomperi@oulu.fi
Room: M202