Objectives for the Government Programme 2027–2031

Commitment to Science and Experts: Science-based wellbeing and growth and high-quality education for experts.

Commitment to Science and Experts

Science-based wellbeing and growth

Democracy and education are the cornerstones of Finnish society. Research-based knowledge provides a basis for these and enables effective social decision-making, increases well-being and inclusion, and maintains social peace.

Growth is created by new openings and new activities. Science and education are the foundation of sustainable growth, as renewal and competitiveness stem from basic research and a skilled workforce. Science-based wellbeing and growth is supported by strengthening the ability to produce new solutions and by dismantling barriers to wellbeing and growth.

Strengthening the operating conditions of science and research

• The funding model of universities is to be reformed so that it enables long-term core funding and ambitious research for universities. In the funding model, we move from measuring the number of degrees and publications to a qualitative overall assessment of operations, in which the activities of universities are examined in relation to their basic tasks. The professors’ research periods are to be included as part of this evaluation.
• In accordance with the parliamentary agreement, the resources mentioned in the R&D Funding Act are to be allocated directly to the core funding of universities and government research institutes.
• Funding is to be ensured for all research proposals that have been successful in the scientific evaluations of competitive research funding.

Productivity growth is built on basic research carried out by the professoriate and other researchers at universities. Research funding must be predictable and long-term, and its obstacles and slowdowns must be removed.

The success of society depends on the international competitiveness of scientific research. Finland has fallen worryingly behind in terms of the amount and funding of research and development activities carried out in higher education institutions compared to, for example, Sweden and Denmark.

In addition to the current project-based and highly competitive research funding, we need long-term and independent research funding that can be used to conduct first-class and ambitious research. This enables early breakthrough innovations. Universities and research institutes need more core funding so that they can increase cooperation with companies and the third sector. International research projects also require core funding, such as national matched funding.

By developing the funding model, universities can be encouraged to renew, make bold initiatives and increase cooperation between sectors.

Utilising research-based information to improve comprehensive national security

• Part of defence expenditure to be allocated to research related to national comprehensive security carried out at universities, the National Defence University and government research institutes.

Finland’s comprehensive security and preparedness for various security threats have become more central to society. For example, NATO countries have agreed to increase their annual defence spending to a total of five percent of GDP by 2035.

The position of Science Policy Adviser to be established

• The position of Science Policy Adviser to be established under the Prime Minister’s Office. The Adviser is a professor who is chosen to support the Prime Minister for an electoral term. The adviser has the right to attend and speak at the decision-making meetings of the Research and Innovation Council, the Academy of Finland and Business Finland, among others.

Doing science is long-term work that requires a stable, encouraging and predictable operating environment. Science policy must be carefully prepared so that science can enable technological breakthroughs and societal innovations as well as a high quality of life. The Government needs the latest research data and up-to-date and well-founded views as a basis for its decision-making.

Commitment to Science and Experts

High-quality education for experts

Education is a necessary prerequisite for democracy. Universities have an important educational task, as defined in the Universities Act, which includes being critical and producing new knowledge.

Finland needs highly educated experts to develop society and business. As the working-age population decreases, the growth of human capital must be supported through accessible and equal education. In order to keep education and competence up to date, the latest scientific information obtained from research must be utilised in their development.

Safeguarding the quality of teaching by strengthening the core funding of universities

• The quality of teaching is to be secured by strengthening the core funding of universities. Funding the doctoral pilot of universities and the postdoc programme of government research institutes is to be continued, and it must be allocated also to the fields of social sciences and humanities. A postdoctoral programme is to be established in universities based on the model of research institutes.

From 2010 to 2024, the state’s basic funding for universities has decreased by 6 per cent in total, while the number of degrees has increased by 22 per cent.

In Finland, the goal is to increase the number of people with higher education. However, the funding per student in Finland is already clearly lower than in Sweden, Denmark or Norway. The quality of teaching suffers from excessive intensification. In practice, the growing number of students means mass courses, little interaction between students and the professoriate, and dwindling support for writing a thesis.

Increasing the number of highly educated people in the next few years without corresponding additional funding will weaken the conditions for research. As resources dwindle, the timeliness of research suffers, resulting in a de facto decrease in intended learning outcomes and a decrease in the level of competence.

Developing universities and universities of applied sciences based on current legislation

• Universities and universities of applied sciences are to be developed based on current legislation. Scientific research and scientific and artistic research are part of universities. The titles of professors belong to universities and government research institutes.

The division of labour based on the dual model enables the higher education system to function efficiently and to respond to the diverse challenges posed by society. In the dual model, universities specialise in their own tasks and universities of applied sciences in theirs. Autonomous universities can develop their operations independently on their own terms, within the limits of legislation.

A well-functioning higher education system enables different learners to find the education that suits them best, regardless of their starting point, and that society has access to the best experts for different tasks.

Securing researchers’ copyrights

• Legislation will continue to ensure the rights of the professoriate and other researchers to the results of their research, materials, works and creative work. Enabling researchers to exploit their intellectual property rights commercially.

Teaching at universities is based on research, and as the level of research increases, so does the level of education. Researchers’ copyrights ensure high-quality teaching materials, enable innovations and contribute to Finland’s competitiveness.