The city of Oulu recently made a decision to finance Proof-of-Concept activities for the next three years at the University of Oulu, Oulu University of Applied Sciences and OSAO. The total amount is €150,000/year, of which the University of Oulu shares €100,000.

Rise to Challenge is by far Business Finland’s largest funding instrument for research organizations: project funding for five years can amount to as much as 5–10 million euros.

Business Finland and several European partnership programmes are currently offering a wide range of funding opportunities for researchers and research groups

The latest Business Finland Research to Business call closed on March 4, 2026. Researchers from the University of Oulu submitted a total of six applications. Experts at the Innovation Centre encourage those interested in the next call, opening in May, to get in touch as early as possible.

The PoC (Proof-of-Concept) funding for the year 2026 is now open for applications. It aims to execute the first implementation of an invention or idea having commercial potential.

Rise to Challenge generated great interest among researchers at the University of Oulu — and no wonder, as it is Business Finland’s most significant investment in research organizations.

The new R2B funding call is open until March 4th.

The University of Oulu will receive a total of 900 000 € in Kasvukipinä funding from LähiTapiola.

Business Finland’s partnership model funding call for Co-Research projects is open until March 31, 2026. This funding offers a unique opportunity to combine expertise from various scientific disciplines.

UBF2025 — what an incredible day bringing together 200 people: researchers, business leaders, companies, organizations, and students!

This year’s theme focuses on patent and IP portfolio evaluation: participants are challenged to design a system that assesses the economic and technological value of patents using data, analytics, and AI.

Take the opportunity to participate in our spring training sessions and learn more about IPR. We offer both concise webinars and more extensive courses.

Business Finland has decided to fund five promising research projects in the Rise to Challenge pilot call. After the pilot, Business Finland will launch the main funding call at the end of August.

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated University Business Forum 2025!

BF is looking for bold openings, courage, and a willingness to take risks — research ideas that have the potential to revolutionize markets.

What new calls and funding instruments does Business Finland offer, and what opportunities do they provide for the University of Oulu and our researchers? See this summary of the most interesting funding opportunities this spring!

The University of Oulu is home to incredible women – phenomenal experts who are shaping a better future through their work.

What kind of research ideas could revolutionize markets in the future? Business Finland is looking for answers with the launch of a new Rise to Challenge funding call.

The Proof-of-Concept funding for the year 2025 is now open for applications. It aims to execute the first implementation of an invention or idea having commercial potential.

Looking to kickstart your career? Interested in summer jobs? Metsä Group and Outokumpu are heading to the University of Oulu’s Career Centre early in the year to introduce students to their career opportunities.