The Research Council of Finland will open a call for Centres of Excellence in Research (2026-2033) this autumn. The call will be open 4 to 25 September.
A Centre of Excellence (CoE) is a research community that is striving for or already at the international cutting edge of research in its field. CoEs may consist of one or more research teams working closely together under a joint research plan.
The first stage of application, consisting of a letter of intent, will be open from 4 to 25 September 2024. The CoE candidates going through to the second call stage will be selected in April 2025 (deadline for full applications 11 June 2025).
The research groups granted Centre of Excellence funding by the Research Council of Finland are scientifically first-rate research communities that have capacity for renewal and high societal impact. The CoE programmes contribute to the renewal of science by supplying new research topics, new methods and approaches, and new research teams. Thanks to the long-term funding provided in collaboration with CoE host organisations, the funding instrument effectively works as an incentive for risk-taking and new initiatives in research.
The call text is published here.
Info session
A call info session will be organised via Teams on Tuesday 18 June at 14.30–16.00. Sign up by 16 June: Call info for Centre of Excellence Programme 2026–2033.
Who can apply?
The funding can be applied for by consortia composed of research teams. The consortium parties may represent one or several research organisations.
In addition to a doctorate, the CoE director and team leaders must have other significant scientific merits.
Funding
The CoE programme funding period starts on 1 January 2026. Funding will be granted for eight years split into two parts (5+3 years).
The Research Council’s contribution to the funding is up to 70 per cent of the total costs, and the applicant’s site of research (host organisation) will cover at least 30 per cent of the total costs.
Application – first stage
The letter of intent submitted at the first call stage consists of a form completed in the online services as well as PDF appendices (Plan of Intent, CV, and List of Publications). For more detailed instructions please refer to the call text and contact Hanken’s research funding services.
Please contact Research Funding Services (research@hanken.fi) already now if you are interested in applying for this call. We are happy to support you in the applications process.
