University of Vaasa awarded over €29 million in strategic funding

– The University of Vaasa surpassed five other universities in the amount of strategic funding, which we consider a major achievement. Our university's strategy has been received very positively by the Ministry, with funding granted for all the actions we proposed, says Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa.

Martikainen emphasises that the strategic funding application was prepared in collaboration with businesses in the region and the broader ecosystem.

– I especially want to thank our partners and key stakeholders for their cooperation. Together, we can drive substantial progress for Finland, and for Ostrobothnia and the Vaasa region, towards a high international impact.

The University of Vaasa’s initiatives to be funded include for example the Energy Transition Research Initiative, which positions the university as an international leader in energy transition and sustainability research and innovation. Strategic funding will also be allocated to the development of doctoral education through the CoDoc collaboration model with companies and organisations, the university’s growth as an influential educator, the education and integration of international students, the development of the higher education consortium with Vaasa University of Applied Sciences, and the well-being of students and personnel.

Through these actions, the university aims to help Finland achieve its R&D expenditure target of four per cent of GDP by 2030, as well as the goal of increasing the share of young adults with higher education degrees to 50 per cent by 2030. The university is committed to ensuring skilled workforce nationwide, especially in Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia, and Central Ostrobothnia, while also expanding its own recruitment of talents in research and education. Measures to strengthen research activities and infrastructure are also planned.

New funding model from the Ministry

The Ministry of Education and Culture has confirmed its agreements on targets for universities and budget allocations for 2025–2028. Ten percent of government funding for universities is allocated through strategic funding, nine percent supports national roles, and the remaining 81 percent is allocated through a funding model. The performance-based model calculates funding annually using the latest statistics on education and research.

The revised model places slightly more emphasis on research activity. An additional indicator – the number of first-time students – has been added and will account for around three percent of university funding.