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Fidipro-esite 2007

Sheila Riikonen
Sheila Riikonen

The document provides information about the FiDiPro program, which funds international scientific collaboration projects between highly accomplished foreign researchers and Finnish universities and research institutes. Some key details include: - FiDiPro aims to raise scientific and technological excellence through long-term collaboration between outstanding researchers worldwide. - The initial round of FiDiPro provided 17.5 million total funding for 24 research projects. - FiDiPro offers competitive grants covering salaries, travel costs, research costs and family expenses to recruit distinguished foreign researchers for 2-5 year projects. - Interviews with current FiDiPro professors describe their collaborative projects in fields like nuclear physics, wireless communications, and biotechnology research and praise Finland's research

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FiDiPro Professor Jacek Dobaczewski We have common interests, available resources and synergy. PETTERIKIVIMKI
A fresh approach to interna- tional scientific cooperation Led and financed by the Academy of Finland and Tekes the Finnish Fund- ing Agency for Technology and Inno- vation FiDiPro raises scientific and technological excellence by establish- ing long-term international collabora- tion among outstanding researchers around the world. The initial round of FiDiPro pro- vided funding for 24 research projects with a total budget of 17.5 million euros. The first professors began their work in Finland at the beginning of 2007. An excellent arena for research and innovation At present, Finland invests more than 3.4 per cent of GDP in research and development, making it one of the most research-intensive countries in the world. Networking and teamwork are valuable tools in Finland. R&D pro- grammes run by the main public fund- ing bodies create meaningful tie-ups between companies, universities and research institutes. The new Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation to be established will also set up a more efficient framework for collaboration. The first strategic centres will be launched in the fields of energy and the environment, metal products and mechanical engineering, the forest cluster, health and well-being, and information and communication indus- try and services. These are relevant topics for FiDiPro research projects as well. Who are eligible for FiDiPro? Funding is awarded to projects re- cruiting highly merited international researchers with strong experience in researcher training and who are able to commit to long-term cooperation (25 years). How does FiDiPro work? Tekes and the Academy of Finland open calls on a regular basis. Finnish universities and research institutes may propose FiDiPro professors from all disciplines. Finnish universities and research institutes outline their project plan and explain the collaboration between the professor and the Finnish research teams and companies. Applicants should also define how the cooper- ation strengthens research excellence in their field. The research projects need to have strategic importance to the host universities and research institutes. Evaluation A panel of experts evaluates the com- petence of the proposed candidates and the excellence of the project pro- posals. The Academy of Finland em- phasises researcher training in its evaluation, while Tekes requires active cooperation with companies. Funding FiDiPro offers competitive grants cov- ering salary and travel expenses, re- search costs and related expenses of accompanying family members. FiDi- Pro professors may bring along a key member or key members of their own research team, whose expenses may also be partially covered. www.fidipro.fi The FiDiPro funding pro- gramme enables distinguished researchers, both foreign and expatriates to work and team up with the best of the best in Finnish academic research, creating long-term synergy in science and technology.
Green forests, good bike paths and a steamy sauna could be Professor Adriaan van Heiningens reasons to return to Finland after previous consulting stints. The Dutch-born Canadian living in Espoo is reminded of Northern Canada, where he goes canoeing every year. He works on a five-year project dubbed Innovative Forest Products Biorefinery at the Forest Products Tech- nology Department of Helsinki University of Technology and the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Maine (USA). Finland serves as a headquarter for some of the worlds most successful pulp and paper companies, which are now looking into fitting eco-friendly biorefiner- ies in their business strategy, notes van Heiningen, whose expertise in chemical engineering, pulp and paper technology, and energy production brings a unique set of skills complementing Finnish know- how. One of the projects goals is to con- vert existing kraft pulp mills into integrated forest product biorefineries. By extracting hemicelluloses from wood chips before pulping, and converting this new feed stream of sugars into chemicals and poly- mers, yields are integrated into new high- er-value products. While the US seeks to make cellu- losic ethanol competitive with petrol by 2012, Finnish companies such as Stora Enso and Neste Oil adapt by building a demonstration plant to convert woody biomass into crude biodiesel. Forest biorefinery expert develops eco-friendly innovations Collaboration grows from complementing know-how Interviews with FiDiPro professors shed light on the experiences of the distinguished researchers and their thoughts during their FiDiPro stint in Finland. MARKUSSOMMERS
Finnish basic research on nuclear physics is focused, observes Jacek Dobaczewski, Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Phys- ics of Warsaw University. A small team of Finns is competitive, well-trained and quali- fied to compete with large research centres. In 20072011, Dobaczewski leads a new theoretical research project, Nuclear Structure by the Energy Density Functional Theory. The aim is to explain the global properties of nuclei with special emphasis on describing nuclei far from stability. Based at the University of Jyv辰skyl辰, Dobaczewski works with international cen- tres of nuclear physics research and con- ducts seminars in nanoscience and accel- erator laboratories in Finland. Questions relating to nuclear science, future energy needs and proper disposal of nuclear waste are common concerns in many countries, Dobaczewski says. In the future, countries can avoid dumping waste in water pools and produce new generations of harmless nuclear reactors. Dobaczewski praises the absolute transparency and absence of bureaucracy in Finland. One less thing to worry about leaves him plenty of time to enjoy downhill skiing and the marvellous philharmonic or- chestra. Opportunities to meet highly trained people and a good team Telecom giant Nokia brought Behnaam Aazhang from Switzerland to Finland more than ten years ago. The achievements in mobile communications are direct results of the great synergy between Finnish industry and academia, he says. Today, the Rice University professor works at the Centre for Wireless Communi- cations (CWC) at the University of Oulu with a team of experts on broadband wire- less access. Flexible Wireless Communication Sys- tems is a five-year research project on cog- nitive radio technologies, effectively using frequency spectrum and reconfigurable soft- ware defined radio (SDR) platforms. Synergy between industry and academia Leading nuclear theorist applauds Finnish research Wireless communication from the top of the world Only 160 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, CWCs pioneering re- search on the Wireless Hospital and its dynamic Embedded Communica- tions Research Lab have cemented its reputation as an international hi-tech hub. Expectations of high data rates and increased battery life put tremen- dous pressure on all as- pects of wireless system design cooperative communication can rise to this challenge, Aazhang says. PAULIINAMUSTONEN
Innovation is the heart of science The weather in Turku is similar to that of Lund, notes Descartes Prize awardee, Dr Rikard Holmdahl. Since both cities are located in the same latitude, it feels like coming home, he says. This is convenient for a Swede who regularly travels to Turku, Finlands candidate for European Culture Capital in 2011. The city also hosts one of the most advanced biotechnology research clusters in Europe. Thanks to excellent resources conducive to research Id still come here even if its at the North Pole, Holmdahl says with a smile. Since January 2007, his research project on chronic inflammatory and autoim- mune diseases seeks advanced understand- ing of common yet complex ailments that have no treatments to prevent or reverse the disease course. The research focuses on rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Holmdahls expertise in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis is strengthened in collaboration with respected Finnish scien- tists Commercialisation of scientific discov- eries in the last decade has been possible through increased collaboration and funding in Europe, Holmdahl says. An entrepre- neurial drive and venture capital investments are equally important to scientists. Biotech break- throughs in bustling cultural capital VESA-MATTIVR
Arctic Circle 60属 Helsinki FINLAND Sweden Norway Russia The European Innovation Scoreboard 2006 puts Finland in the top three in terms of public R&D expenditure, business R&D expenditure, tertiary education, innovative SME cooperation, European Patent Office patents and triad patents. Finnish research teams actively participate in global R&D networks and have been successful, for example, in EU Research Framework Programmes. Relative to population and GDP, Finland is one of the worlds biggest science publishers, ahead of such traditionally strong countries in scientific research as the UK and Germany. Finnish research personnel represent the highest percentage of the employed labour force in the OECD countries. The number of doctorates has nearly doubled in the last ten years. There are 20 universities and 21 public research institutes in Finland. The national university network provides a study place for almost one-third of the age group. For more information on FiDiPro | www.fidipro.fi Academy of Finland | www.aka.fi/eng Tekes the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation | www.tekes.fi/eng Researchers Mobility Portal Finland | www.aka.fi/eracareers Fast facts about Finland LAYOUT:AHOY|PHOTO:GORILLA|PRINTING:ERWEKO|MAY2007|ISBN:978-951-715-653-7(PRINT),978-951-715-654-5(PDF)

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Fidipro-esite 2007

  • 1. FiDiPro Professor Jacek Dobaczewski We have common interests, available resources and synergy. PETTERIKIVIMKI
  • 2. A fresh approach to interna- tional scientific cooperation Led and financed by the Academy of Finland and Tekes the Finnish Fund- ing Agency for Technology and Inno- vation FiDiPro raises scientific and technological excellence by establish- ing long-term international collabora- tion among outstanding researchers around the world. The initial round of FiDiPro pro- vided funding for 24 research projects with a total budget of 17.5 million euros. The first professors began their work in Finland at the beginning of 2007. An excellent arena for research and innovation At present, Finland invests more than 3.4 per cent of GDP in research and development, making it one of the most research-intensive countries in the world. Networking and teamwork are valuable tools in Finland. R&D pro- grammes run by the main public fund- ing bodies create meaningful tie-ups between companies, universities and research institutes. The new Strategic Centres for Science, Technology and Innovation to be established will also set up a more efficient framework for collaboration. The first strategic centres will be launched in the fields of energy and the environment, metal products and mechanical engineering, the forest cluster, health and well-being, and information and communication indus- try and services. These are relevant topics for FiDiPro research projects as well. Who are eligible for FiDiPro? Funding is awarded to projects re- cruiting highly merited international researchers with strong experience in researcher training and who are able to commit to long-term cooperation (25 years). How does FiDiPro work? Tekes and the Academy of Finland open calls on a regular basis. Finnish universities and research institutes may propose FiDiPro professors from all disciplines. Finnish universities and research institutes outline their project plan and explain the collaboration between the professor and the Finnish research teams and companies. Applicants should also define how the cooper- ation strengthens research excellence in their field. The research projects need to have strategic importance to the host universities and research institutes. Evaluation A panel of experts evaluates the com- petence of the proposed candidates and the excellence of the project pro- posals. The Academy of Finland em- phasises researcher training in its evaluation, while Tekes requires active cooperation with companies. Funding FiDiPro offers competitive grants cov- ering salary and travel expenses, re- search costs and related expenses of accompanying family members. FiDi- Pro professors may bring along a key member or key members of their own research team, whose expenses may also be partially covered. www.fidipro.fi The FiDiPro funding pro- gramme enables distinguished researchers, both foreign and expatriates to work and team up with the best of the best in Finnish academic research, creating long-term synergy in science and technology.
  • 3. Green forests, good bike paths and a steamy sauna could be Professor Adriaan van Heiningens reasons to return to Finland after previous consulting stints. The Dutch-born Canadian living in Espoo is reminded of Northern Canada, where he goes canoeing every year. He works on a five-year project dubbed Innovative Forest Products Biorefinery at the Forest Products Tech- nology Department of Helsinki University of Technology and the Department of Chemical Engineering of the University of Maine (USA). Finland serves as a headquarter for some of the worlds most successful pulp and paper companies, which are now looking into fitting eco-friendly biorefiner- ies in their business strategy, notes van Heiningen, whose expertise in chemical engineering, pulp and paper technology, and energy production brings a unique set of skills complementing Finnish know- how. One of the projects goals is to con- vert existing kraft pulp mills into integrated forest product biorefineries. By extracting hemicelluloses from wood chips before pulping, and converting this new feed stream of sugars into chemicals and poly- mers, yields are integrated into new high- er-value products. While the US seeks to make cellu- losic ethanol competitive with petrol by 2012, Finnish companies such as Stora Enso and Neste Oil adapt by building a demonstration plant to convert woody biomass into crude biodiesel. Forest biorefinery expert develops eco-friendly innovations Collaboration grows from complementing know-how Interviews with FiDiPro professors shed light on the experiences of the distinguished researchers and their thoughts during their FiDiPro stint in Finland. MARKUSSOMMERS
  • 4. Finnish basic research on nuclear physics is focused, observes Jacek Dobaczewski, Professor at the Institute of Theoretical Phys- ics of Warsaw University. A small team of Finns is competitive, well-trained and quali- fied to compete with large research centres. In 20072011, Dobaczewski leads a new theoretical research project, Nuclear Structure by the Energy Density Functional Theory. The aim is to explain the global properties of nuclei with special emphasis on describing nuclei far from stability. Based at the University of Jyv辰skyl辰, Dobaczewski works with international cen- tres of nuclear physics research and con- ducts seminars in nanoscience and accel- erator laboratories in Finland. Questions relating to nuclear science, future energy needs and proper disposal of nuclear waste are common concerns in many countries, Dobaczewski says. In the future, countries can avoid dumping waste in water pools and produce new generations of harmless nuclear reactors. Dobaczewski praises the absolute transparency and absence of bureaucracy in Finland. One less thing to worry about leaves him plenty of time to enjoy downhill skiing and the marvellous philharmonic or- chestra. Opportunities to meet highly trained people and a good team Telecom giant Nokia brought Behnaam Aazhang from Switzerland to Finland more than ten years ago. The achievements in mobile communications are direct results of the great synergy between Finnish industry and academia, he says. Today, the Rice University professor works at the Centre for Wireless Communi- cations (CWC) at the University of Oulu with a team of experts on broadband wire- less access. Flexible Wireless Communication Sys- tems is a five-year research project on cog- nitive radio technologies, effectively using frequency spectrum and reconfigurable soft- ware defined radio (SDR) platforms. Synergy between industry and academia Leading nuclear theorist applauds Finnish research Wireless communication from the top of the world Only 160 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, CWCs pioneering re- search on the Wireless Hospital and its dynamic Embedded Communica- tions Research Lab have cemented its reputation as an international hi-tech hub. Expectations of high data rates and increased battery life put tremen- dous pressure on all as- pects of wireless system design cooperative communication can rise to this challenge, Aazhang says. PAULIINAMUSTONEN
  • 5. Innovation is the heart of science The weather in Turku is similar to that of Lund, notes Descartes Prize awardee, Dr Rikard Holmdahl. Since both cities are located in the same latitude, it feels like coming home, he says. This is convenient for a Swede who regularly travels to Turku, Finlands candidate for European Culture Capital in 2011. The city also hosts one of the most advanced biotechnology research clusters in Europe. Thanks to excellent resources conducive to research Id still come here even if its at the North Pole, Holmdahl says with a smile. Since January 2007, his research project on chronic inflammatory and autoim- mune diseases seeks advanced understand- ing of common yet complex ailments that have no treatments to prevent or reverse the disease course. The research focuses on rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus. Holmdahls expertise in rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis is strengthened in collaboration with respected Finnish scien- tists Commercialisation of scientific discov- eries in the last decade has been possible through increased collaboration and funding in Europe, Holmdahl says. An entrepre- neurial drive and venture capital investments are equally important to scientists. Biotech break- throughs in bustling cultural capital VESA-MATTIVR
  • 6. Arctic Circle 60属 Helsinki FINLAND Sweden Norway Russia The European Innovation Scoreboard 2006 puts Finland in the top three in terms of public R&D expenditure, business R&D expenditure, tertiary education, innovative SME cooperation, European Patent Office patents and triad patents. Finnish research teams actively participate in global R&D networks and have been successful, for example, in EU Research Framework Programmes. Relative to population and GDP, Finland is one of the worlds biggest science publishers, ahead of such traditionally strong countries in scientific research as the UK and Germany. Finnish research personnel represent the highest percentage of the employed labour force in the OECD countries. The number of doctorates has nearly doubled in the last ten years. There are 20 universities and 21 public research institutes in Finland. The national university network provides a study place for almost one-third of the age group. For more information on FiDiPro | www.fidipro.fi Academy of Finland | www.aka.fi/eng Tekes the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation | www.tekes.fi/eng Researchers Mobility Portal Finland | www.aka.fi/eracareers Fast facts about Finland LAYOUT:AHOY|PHOTO:GORILLA|PRINTING:ERWEKO|MAY2007|ISBN:978-951-715-653-7(PRINT),978-951-715-654-5(PDF)