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Research to Business – Funding for preparing the commercialization of a research-based solution, call 1/2026

Call
Call
Updated 28.11.2025
Ongoing

1.12.2025-4.3.2026

More information

Norma Saha
Business Finland
norma.saha (at) businessfinland.fi

Helena Myllyharju
Business Finland
helena.myllyharju (at) businessfinland.fi

The purpose of the funding is to promote the utilization of research results as new business.

Target group/who can apply

Funding is granted to public research organizations, not to individual researchers or groups of researchers.

Type and amount of funding

The funding is a grant. The funding rate is 80% of approved costs. Total project costs are typically EUR 500.000-EUR 800.000.

Total amount of funding awarded in the call

A total of EUR 25 million has been allocated for the Research to Business calls which are held in spring and autumn 2026.

Description of the call

The purpose of the funding is to promote the utilization of research results as new business. This call funds projects by public research organizations in which the project team prepares the commercialization of a research-based solution and conducts applied research guided by the commercialization preparation. The aim of commercialization preparation is to identify potential exploitation paths for the research solution and help choose the most promising routes and methods that, after the project, could lead to new business either in a newly founded company or an existing company. At the same time, project team members have the opportunity to grow their own commercialization competence. Business Finland aims to make funding decisions by the end of June 2026.

Purpose of the funding

The funding is intended for preparing the commercialization of a research-based product or service solution and for applied research that supports it. Commercialization preparation is carried out throughout the project, and its costs must account for at least 40% of the project’s eligible costs.

Examples of commercialization preparation include:

  • Prior art searches and other studies related to industrial property rights and freedom to operate
  • Examination of the solution from a commercialization perspective
  • Defining customer value, market studies, customer research/mapping
  • Mapping and analysis of competing solutions
  • Exploration of financing models and potential funders/investors
  • Exploration of business models
  • Protection of the solution’s intellectual property rights (excluding maintenance costs. Trademark costs are not eligible)
  • Commercialization or entrepreneurship skills training that supports the project
  • Communication related to identifying potential customers and funders/investors

The form of funding is public research funding. Funding may not be used, for example, for:

  • Preparing a business plan
  • Acquiring marketing materials or creating a brand
  • Product development
  • Measures that are not directly related to commercialization preparation or the associated applied research
  • Contract research
  • Basic research

General conditions for granting funding

  • The applicant organization is a public research organization. A research organization is an organization whose primary task is to conduct research or experimental development independently (e.g., higher education institutions and research institutes).
  • At least 40% of the project's eligible costs are allocated to the preparation for commercialization.
  • The applicant organization has sufficient rights to use the background materials and the research results to enable the commercialization of knowledge and know how.
  • The applicant organization is able to transfer the rights related to the results after the project to the party that will commercialize the results.
  • The party that will commercialize the research results is not yet identified. The project will consider several alternative commercialization options.

Evaluation criteria for granting funding

Business Finland assesses the research project aimed at preparing for commercialization in its entirety. The evaluation also takes into account other applications competing for funding.

The following aspects are especially examined in the evaluation:

  • The project team’s experience and expertise, especially in commercialization, but also in research related to the field of the solution to be commercialized
    • The team has a strong research background in the field
    • The person responsible for commercialization is employed by the applicant organization during the project and is genuinely a member of the team. The person has strong prior experience in commercialization and/or business
    • The entire team is committed to preparing for commercialization, and some team members are willing to continue promoting the commercialization of the results after the project
  • The solution's utilization potential
  • The scale of the intended business
  • The project’s impacts on the development of significant international business and on society
  • The novelty and maturity level of the solution
  • The actions, resourcing, interim and final objectives depicted in the project plan, and their credibility
  • The possible commercialization pathways described in the project plan and their credibility
  • The composition and expertise of the steering group, especially in supporting the preparation for commercialization
  • The project’s impact on sustainable development

General funding terms

Funding terms and conditions for research organizations

How to apply

The team preparing the application must contact their research organization’s research, innovation, and/or commercialization services unit well in advance of submitting the application and follow their guidelines and timeline during the application process. The team must also be prepared to pitch the project idea to Business Finland after the application submission.

Applications and attachments must be submitted via Business Finland’s online service by Wednesday 4 March 2026 at 23:59. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. It is important that the application and project plan are complete by the end of the application deadline. Only include the attachments that are requested.

Include the following attachments:

1. A project plan, maximum length of 20 pages. Any content exceeding the maximum page count will not be considered. The list of references (max two pages) is not counted towards the length of the project plan. The project plan must clearly describe:

  • The research background and current state of the solution
  • The measures, key contributors, schedule, and costs related to preparing for commercialization, by work package, as well as the share of these costs in the total project costs
  • The measures, key contributors, schedule, and costs, by work package, for applied research supporting the preparation for commercialization
  • 2-5 milestones (around the midpoint of the project) and 2-5 deliverables (at the end of the project) for both applied research and preparation for commercialization
  • Communication activities, schedule, and costs

2. In addition, as a separate appendix, add a statement from innovation services concerning intellectual property rights related to the project.

In joint projects, in addition to the common project plan, each participating organization submits its own application and attachments via the online service. Applications should be titled using the project name/abbreviation and the applicant organization’s name.

Business Finland online services

Explore more about Research to Business funding and services

Frequently asked questions

How long can the Research to Business project be?

The duration of Research to Business projects is typically 12–24 months, depending on the field of the project and the readiness level of the solution. By the end of the project, it should be possible to identify the most suitable path for commercializing the solution.

Can basic research be included in a Research to Business project?

Research to Business funding is intended for preparing the commercialization of research results after the basic research phase. It is not meant for conducting basic research. Before starting a Research to Business project, there should already be some evidence that the solution works. Applied research guided by the preparation for commercialization can be conducted in accordance with the approved project plan.

Can a business plan for a company be created as part of the project?

No, a business plan cannot be created as part of the project. However, aspects underlying the business plan can be investigated through research methods.

Can the project involve interaction with potential customers?

Yes, it can. In preparing for commercialization, it is essential to identify the problems or needs of potential customers and determine whether the solution addresses those problems. This can be done, for example, through interviews and Proof-of-Concept tests conducted in customer interfaces.

Can product development be carried out in the project?

No, product development cannot be conducted as part of the project. However, the functionality of the research-based solution can be validated through proof-of-concept activities. Finished, market-ready products for customers cannot be created within the project.

What should I do if my research organization does not have an innovation/commercialization unit to evaluate my project idea?

In such cases, contact the research director of your organization and/or your Business Finland contact person.

Can a startup company be established before the Research to Business project ends?

The goal of a Research to Business project is to prepare for commercialization. If a startup company is established to commercialize the solution that is developed in the project, the project’s objectives are considered achieved, and the project funding will be terminated. It is the funding recipient’s responsibility to notify Business Finland of this change.

What is the role of the project steering group?

The steering group of a Research to Business project serves as an advisory body. It ensures that the project is implemented according to the approved plan and objectives and that at least 40% of the project’s costs are allocated to preparing for commercialization.

Who can act as the accountable leader?

The accountable leader of the project must not have any conflicts of interest. They must not have personal interest in a company that is benefitting from the project results, nor in any company providing services to the project. A conflict of interest may arise, for example, if the accountable leader or their family member owns 10% or more of a company, is a member of the company’s governing bodies, or serves as the company’s CEO. After the Research to Business project ends, a company established to commercialize the project results is considered a beneficiary company of the results.

How is the 40% commercialization preparation requirement addressed in joint projects involving two or more research organizations?

Organizations planning and implementing a joint project must have a shared project plan that demonstrates the synergy benefits, common goals, and the tasks and resources of both parties. In a joint project, a shared minimum of 40% of costs allocated to commercialization preparation can be divided between the organizations in meaningful way. If the project does not progress according to the plan and objectives, funding for both parties in the joint project will be terminated.

What should be considered in project procurements?

Project procurements are subject to the regulations on public procurement and the guidelines provided by the funding recipient’s administration. For instructions, contact your organization’s innovation services or procurement unit. If a procurement is made in violation of procurement regulations, the procurement cost will not be considered an eligible project cost.

What communication costs can be approved for the project?

Only communication costs outlined in the project plan and compliant with the funding terms can be approved, provided they are necessary and reasonable for the implementation of the project. Communication costs may relate to disseminating research results, for example, in scientific conferences, in which case they are considered applied research costs. Alternatively, they may relate to preparing for commercialization, such as networking and identifying potential customers and investors. In this case, eligible costs may include videos, websites, or even podcasts, as long as they are not part of the general communication activities of the recipient organization.

Ineligible costs include expenses related to economic activities, brand building, and marketing materials (e.g., letterheads, logos, clothing, pens, etc.). All project communications must always acknowledge Business Finland as the funding provider.