🇫🇮 Business Finland: The First Rise to Challenge projects selected
In the Rise to Challenge pilot call, we sought the most ambitious and innovative research ideas from research organizations. The theme of the recently concluded pilot call was digital solutions that promote security. A total of 60 research ideas were submitted, out of which 16 project teams were invited to submit funding applications. Decisions have now been made, and five projects will receive funding. The pilot call demonstrated the clear demand for funding radical and impactful research ideas, and therefore Rise to Challenge will continue as a formal funding program in autumn 2025.
Rise to Challenge: Building Future Expertise and Capabilities
The goal of Rise to Challenge  funding is to create the expertise and capabilities needed for future growth sectors. In the long term, companies can leverage the results of these projects in their business operations, providing significant competitive advantages for Finnish enterprises.
“The aim is to direct funding toward new, market-disrupting research projects that have widespread societal and economic impacts. Rise to Challenge as a funding instrument is unique – it represents by far the largest research funding available from Business Finland to research organizations,” explain Karin Wikman and Virpi Mikkonen, who oversee the funding call.
Rise to Challenge stands apart from other Business Finland research funding instruments in that the research does not have to immediately and directly address the needs of existing companies. Instead, the practical applications may lie further in the future, with a utilization timeframe of 5–10 years. In addition, strong prior achievements are expected from the research groups.
€10 Million in Funding for the First Phase of Research Projects
In the pilot call, a total of €10 million in funding was granted for the first phase of five projects. If the projects achieve the goals set for the first two years, each project may receive an additional €3–5 million for the subsequent three years. The maximum project duration is five years.
The Five Research Projects Funded in the Pilot Call
The pilot attracted highly interesting and high-quality applications. Although the theme was focused on digital resilience, the projects approached the topic from diverse perspectives. The five funded projects, which focus on AI, quantum technology, microchips, modeling, and preparing for hybrid threats, stood out for their bold future-oriented visions and their research teams’ deep and versatile expertise. Interdisciplinarity often adds value to these projects, but it is not always the sole priority.
The projects funded from the first Rice to Challenge pilot call are:
New call will be launched in theend of August. Preliminary information about the call.
More information
Karin Wikman and Virpi Mikkonen
e-mail is in format [email protected]
Originally published on 21 August by Business Finland.
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