In its meeting on Wednesday 19 November, the parliamentary research, development and innovation (RDI) monitoring group discussed central government funding for research and development (R&D). The monitoring group also received updates on the RDI outlook for businesses from the Confederation of Finnish Industries, the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries, the Federation of Finnish Enterprises and IQM Finland.
In the discussions, the business leaders highlighted the path from research to development, innovation and commercial applications. Technology and services are increasingly developing together into domestic growth business and exports with high added value. Intangible value creation was seen as playing a key role in R&D activities where the goal is to achieve more sustainable production and consumption.
The discussions emphasised the leverage effects of public funding on companies’ own R&D investments. Young and innovative SMEs are playing an increasingly important role alongside larger companies, and the financial instruments allocated to them must be monitored and further developed. Alongside R&D funding, we need stronger commercialisation expertise, sufficient funding for innovation, innovative public procurement and increased cooperation between higher education institutions and companies.
The monitoring group discussed the definition of R&D funding and opportunities to further strengthen the quantum ecosystem in Finland.
R&D expenditure is developing favourably, but more experts are needed
In its meeting, the monitoring group also discussed the first follow-up report on the use of central government R&D funding, which is currently under preparation. The report assesses the development of private R&D expenditure and the need for experts, as well as the allocation of additional central government R&D funding and the use of R&D tax incentives. According to the most recent statistical data, Finland’s R&D expenditure has developed in line with the national target of increasing R&D expenditure to four per cent of GDP. However, significantly more R&D experts will be needed to achieve the target by 2030.
The monitoring group received a briefing on the state of preparation of the report and its preliminary findings. The report will be completed at the beginning of 2026, and the monitoring group will draw conclusions based on its findings in the spring.
The task of the parliamentary RDI monitoring group is to monitor the achievement of national RDI targets and to monitor and support the implementation of the multiannual plan for the use of central government R&D funding. As part of its work, the monitoring group also assesses the implementation of policies put forth by earlier parliamentary RDI working groups. The monitoring group has members from all parliamentary groups formed on the basis of parliamentary elections, along with permanent experts from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment.
Inquiries: Henrik Vuornos, Member of Parliament, Chair of the parliamentary RDI monitoring group, tel. +358 9 432 3159 and Johanna Moisio, Secretary-General of the Research and Innovation Council, Prime Minister’s Office. tel. +358 295 160 625.
