Finland–China joint Innovation calls and Innovation Collaboration

Business Finland has established numerous frameworks to support Finland-China innovation collaboration on both national and provincial level, including Ministry of Science and Technology of China as well as Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and Shanghai municipality.

In the innovation area, we provide information sharing, organize innovation workshops, do matchmaking and networking, give advising/coaching and fund the most promising innovation-driven projects through joint innovation calls. Joint innovation calls provide opportunities not only for joint R&D and piloting targeting in market entries and expansion, but also e.g. for standards and regulation contributions in strategic collaboration projects.

Finland-China innovation work is driven by Business Finland through innovation and foresight functions but is done in close collaboration with people from export area in Team Finland organizations. We believe that innovations can help the current business to improve its competitiveness and that foresight can show the future opportunities to guide the innovation work – this continuum and two-way dialogue can pave the way for both economic growth and societal wellbeing.

Think big and let us help you to boost your business with innovation!

Remarks on IPR and China’s specific regulatory framework on data

IPR is something that requires special attention when it comes to normal business but also when it comes to innovation and joint innovation projects. It is good to get familiar with trademark, patent, trade secret and copyright issues in China before entering collaboration actions with Chinese counterparts, considering that IP systems in Europe and China are different.

A good source of information is, e.g., European Commission's China IP SME Helpdesk pages. Their pages include webinars and e-learning options as well as factsheets and guides related to IP. Additionally, one can submit IP related questions and receive answers (free of charge) from the Helpdesk IP experts within 3 working days. Business Finland also regularly arranges business and innovation related IPR trainings, and in-depth business advise is available through the collaborator networks.

Read also the attached Cyber Security Law, Data Law and Personal Information Protection Law compliance from the business perspective for your reference, so that you are aware of the requirements that are applied if/when you aim to commercialize the RDI solutions in the China market or want to enter the China market in general with data-driven solutions.

Cybersecurity Data and Personal Information Compliance for EU SMEs in China 2022 (pdf)

Innovation calls 2026

Yangtze River Delta (Shanghai)–Finland Joint Innovation Call (call on hold during 2026)

• Call text and materials:
  • Call on hold during 2026
• Previous call’s text and materials:
  • BF-Shanghai call text 2024 (pdf)
  • BF-Shanghai Bilateral Cooperation Form 2024 (doc)

Yangtze River Delta (Jiangsu)–Finland Joint Innovation Call (call on hold during 2026)

• Call text and materials:
  • Call on hold during 2026
• Previous call’s text and materials 
  • BF-Jiangsu call text 2024 (pdf)
  • BF-Jiangsu Bilateral Cooperation Form 2024 (doc)

Yangtze River Delta (Zhejiang)–Finland Joint Innovation Call (call on hold during 2026)

• Call text and materials:
  • Call on hold during 2026
• Previous call’s text and materials 
  • BF-Zhejiang call text 2024 (pdf)
  • BF-Zhejiang Bilateral Cooperation Form 2024 (doc)

MOST (Ministry of Science and Technology) joint innovation call (opened on 15 June 2026, closing (earliest) on 30 November 2026; exact date to be updated in October/November)

• Call text and materials:
  • MOST call text 2026 (pdf)
  • MOST Bilateral Cooperation Form 2026 (doc)

Step I:
1. Carefully read the call text (incl. eligibility, funding and submission information)
2. Consider are you ready for China (resources, market understanding, regulation)
3. Think what you really want and need (market entry, partners, customers, R&D)
Consult Business Finland already during this step, if needed!

Step II:
4. Prepare an initial project idea/plan with content, objectives, resources and budget
5. Identify what competencies/contributions you need from the Chinese partner(s)
6. Come to discuss with Business Finland (your Account Manager at Business Finland or any of the call contacts)
Consult Business Finland latest during this step!

Step III:
7. Initially check the IPR issues and protect your trademark, products, etc. if needed
8. Participate matchmakings and identify potential partners
9. Create a joint plan and improve your own plans (consult Business Finland)
10. Consider jointly and individually whether to go for a submission
Consult Business Finland also during this step, if needed!

Step IV:
11. Finalize the needed documents and agreements (incl. IPR) for the submission – check that all requirements are completed (consult Business Finland)
12. Make the submission on time
Consult Business Finland before the submission!