SRC Annual Programme Call
Funds Finland Strategic Research Council programmes in safety and security priority fields for national research planning.
The Strategic Research Council (SRC) of Finland is an independent body established within the Research Council of Finland that funds long-term, programme-based research consortia addressing major societal challenges. The SRC operates on an annual call cycle: the Finnish Government determines research themes, and the SRC opens a competitive call once theme approval is secured. For the 2027 programme cycle, the SRC published two draft themes for public consultation on 28 May 2026 — 'Common safety and security in a diverging world' and 'Strategic resources for the future' — with a cross-cutting priority on 'Data as power.' Government approval of these themes is required before a formal call opens, expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
The SRC operates an exclusively consortium model: solo applications are not accepted, and consortia must embed non-academic knowledge users throughout the project lifecycle. Funding follows a full-cost model, with the SRC covering 100% of eligible project costs — no co-funding or match contribution is required from applicants. Historically, per-programme awards have ranged from approximately €3 million to €5 million per consortium over a six-year programme cycle. The SRC's total annual budget across all calls is approximately €55 million. Eligibility is restricted to organisations registered and operating in Finland; international partnerships are permitted but Finnish-led consortia are required.
Applications proceed through a two-stage process: a letter of intent followed by a full proposal. The SRC selection criteria emphasise scientific quality, societal relevance, interdisciplinary scope, and demonstrable impact pathways. Funded consortia are organised into thematic programmes, each coordinated by a programme director appointed at 40% FTE. Organisations seeking to compete for the 2027 cycle should monitor the SRC's announcements for confirmation of the Government-approved themes and the formal call-opening date.
Two draft themes under consultation: (1) Common safety and security in a diverging world; (2) Strategic resources for the future. Cross-cutting priority: Data as power. Themes subject to Government approval.
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