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The Academy of Finland has granted Aalto University 18.9 million euros in funding to support strengthening its research profile. The funding will accelerate research in quantum technology, hydrogen energy and new materials.

Aalto’s Profi-7 funding application focused on three themes built around the university’s strategy of shaping a sustainable future:

1. Quantum Leap focuses on research to develop devices, materials and methods for the ongoing quantum revolution in technology.
2. Hydrogen Deal aims to solve linked research problems in the chemical industries and energy sector related to the transition toward wind power and the hydrogen economy.
3. Made with Nature focuses on the new research and design paradigms needed as current materials are replaced with engineered and functional biomaterials.

An embedded research program will also target new market transformations in the three theme areas, each at a different stage of market readiness.

The three themes stem from Aalto’s established excellence in its seven key research areas. Aalto’s researchers already have a strong track record related to these themes, and there is a natural path for the research to continue after the profiling period. Furthermore, these themes form a coherent whole with the university’s earlier profiling grants.

‘Profi-7 is a key tool for building spearheading research at Aalto and focusing the school and department level research strategy discussions. The themes all build on combinations of Aalto’s key research areas,’ says Ossi Naukkarinen, vice president for research.

The funding will be used to cover the salaries of professors and other researchers.

The aim of the Academy of Finland’s University Profiling funding is to support and develop the strategic profiling of Finnish universities. This was the 7th round of Profiling funding issued by the Academy, and it totalled 100 million euros. The Academy made its funding decisions based on reviews performed by an international panel of experts. Aalto University has been very successful in all of the research profile funding rounds.

Photo: Helen Marton