FINNISH UNIVERSITIES AND THE HORIZON EUROPE: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE MISSIONS?

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1 FINNISH UNIVERSITIES AND THE HORIZON EUROPE: HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE MISSIONS? UNIVERSITIES FINLAND UNIFI THE FINNISH COUNCIL OF UNIVERSITY RECTORS Jukka Mönkkönen Chairperson, Universities Finland UNIFI Rector, Professor, University of Eastern Finland

2 Finnish Universities There are 15 universities in Finland (as of Jan 1 st 2019, 14 universities). In relation to population, Finland might have one of the most comprehensive networks of universities in Europe, covering the entire country from Helsinki to Lapland. In international university rankings, the best Finnish universities are typically ranked among the top 1-2 %, the best ones reaching the top 100. In international system level university rankings, Finnish university system is typically ranked among the highest performing in the world.

3 Key figures, 2017: students doctoral students degrees doctoral degrees personnel person-years research and teaching personnel approx professors scholarly publications An efficient and high-quality university network, comprehensive in terms of content and regional distribution. Source:

4 Finnish Universities and Horizon 2020 The total funding of Finnish universities approx. 2.8 billion EURO (2017) External research funding of universities approx. 660 meur (2017) EU funding approx. 105 meur (2017) The total H2020 funding approx. 303 meur (Sep 1 st, 2018) 40 % of Finnish H2020 funding 78 ERC grants

5 Investing in research and innovation is an investment for the future of Europe. Excellence must remain as a cornerstone of the whole Horizon Europe only excellence creates impact. Excellent science and high-quality research play vital role in creating wellbeing and securing people s everyday life. Without sufficient resources for research and innovation, it is not possible to fulfill this mission. The budget of Horizon Europe must be doubled to 160 billion to ensure that the programme fully exploits its opportunities. Europe s universities educate and treasure some of the finest brains on the globe, critical thinkers who will change the world. With increased European funding, universities would have the capacity to operate and researchers freedom to think. Investment in university research has a very high return. It will result in sustainable growth and better well-being of Europeans

6 Finnish universities are committed to seeking solutions for global challenges and creating new ways of thinking for the best of Europe and the humanity. Open Science has potential to increase the competitiveness and attractiveness of European research communities and to enhance the quality and impact of research. It can create new opportunities for cooperation and interaction for researchers, public sector, policy makers, companies, and citizens. The cultural transformation towards Open Science means a change of mindset and attitude, but it is not a cultural issue only. Open Science requires direct financial investment in staff, services, and infrastructure. Finland is an internationally recognised pioneer in Open Science. Thanks to the open culture of Finnish society, as well as bordercrossing cooperation and interaction between the academia, the society and the business and industry, our researchers have the capacity and opportunities to solve worldwide wicked problems and global challenges.

7 Open Science and Data: Action Programme for the Finnish Scholarly Community Open innovation is about involving more actors in the innovation process, from researchers, to entrepreneurs, to users, to governments and civil society. This means creating the right ecosystems, increasing investment, and bringing more companies and regions into the knowledge economy. Let s dare to make Europe open to innovation, open to science and open to the world. - Carlos Moedas, 2015 Finland is one of the pioneers of Open Science. In May 2018, UNIFI created and published an Open Science and Data Action Plan for the Finnish Scholarly Community.

8 UNIFI supports the idea of missions at Horizon Europe. We believe that missions could generate real breakthroughs. Missions must be based on excellent, collaborative and transdisciplinary research. Missions must be built on bottom-up approach and openness. Enhancing the impact of research and innovation and connecting people to European R&I are at the core of missions. On mission-oriented approach and missions

9 UNIFI stress the importance of health research in the Horizon Europe; there is a clear need to indicate more strongly at the EU-level that investment in health research is worthwhile UNIFI welcome areas of intervention in Health Cluster ; Health throughout the life course; Environmental and social health determinants; Non-communicable and rare diseases, including child rare diseases; Infectious diseases; Cancer; Antimicrobial resistance; Tools, technologies and digital solutions for health and care; Health care systems UNIFI supports Finnish Complementary priority area for the Health Cluster in Horizon Data-driven research and innovations in health and healthcare for the benefit of patients, citizens, industry and society and its perspectives of Digital disease management, Microbiota and nutrition and Emerging new nicotine delivery system On priorities within the cluster for HEALTH

10 Thank you! #unifibrussels