Much of SYKE’s work is conducted in externally funded and co-funded projects. This results in our project portfolio playing a key role in implementing our strategy, and generating important opportunities and risks for our activities.
The scientifically most ambitious projects are funded by the Academy of Finland through an open competition evaluated by international experts and granted by three different research councils. SYKE researchers also receive personal grants for post doctoral and academy fellow positions.
More applied, yet clearly research driven projects include the large scale Strategic Research Council projects with high societal relevance and European Union R&I Framework programme. SYKE is partnering in many successful consortia in strategic areas including marine, water and biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Projects with even more direct societal impact include those funded by the Prime Minister’s Office, supporting decision-making in the Government, and often lasting only one year or less. Ministries also commission short projects or set of projects that are targeted at supporting specific decision-making processes. Working under the Ministry of the Environment and also under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry in water management, the largest number of ministry funded projects are with these ministries.
The EU funded Interreg projects serve regional decision-making. SYKE also participates in numerous LIFE projects and leads two significant Life IP projects: CIRCWASTE and CANEMURE.
Main competitive research funding instruments
Academy projects: applications and funded projects 2015-2019
Source: Academy of Finland; Funding statistics: Autumn call 2018, 18 June 2019
Strategic Research Council's funding: applications and funded projects 2015-2019