The purpose of the Tandem Industry Academia (TIA) funding model is to enhance the impact of cutting-edge research by promoting collaboration between academic researchers and industry. Through TIA funding the Finnish Research Impact Foundation funds precompetitive research projects that are carried out in close collaboration between an academic organisation and an industry partner and during which researchers spend 50% of the project's duration at the company partner's premises
Website / Contact (The Finnish Research Impact Foundation)
Description
The Finnish Research Impact Foundation (FRIF) was established by the Finnish government in 2019 to promote research impact through strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
The Tandem Industry Academia funding model, which is the main mechanism through which FRIF seeks to achieve its purpose, deepens collaboration and furthers the development of new partnerships between academia and industry.
The physical presence of the researcher at the company premises during the joint project, which is a key requirement of the funding, has a multitude of impacts beyond the immediate project results. Based on our assessment in addition to producing scientifically significant results and knowledge and solutions for the industry, this model has been very effective in strengthening the knowledge and skills capital through knowledge transfer between the partners and enhancing the capacity and culture for productive collaboration. Through these projects for example needs for new curricula have been identified as well as new forms of collaboration. Most importantly, the funding model has been considered to facilitate the development of trustful relationships.
The intensive collaboration has been effective in integrating foreign researchers to the Finnish society through facilitating the establishment of close relationships with industry partners, which has resulted for example in the employment of foreign researchers to Finnish companies or furthered their academic careers through the development of future collaborative projects.
The model provides a low threshold mechanism for companies to initiate collaboration with academia, since it does not require a financial contribution from companies, only in kind contribution in the form of providing working facilities and the required resources for the company period of the project.
Achievements & learning
We have evaluated the impact of this funding model through several indicators, few of the most relevant ones are presented below. More information on the impact of the funding model can be found in the recently published impact report which can be found on the foundation's website:
- 44% of the projects were based on new partnerships (i.e. the partners had no previous research collaboration)
- 83% of the companies involved in TIA projects reported that they can utilize the project results in their operations either immediately (39%), in mid term (28%) or in long term (17%)
- The industry relevant research results included e.g. new knowledge, new applications, new materials, algorithms, and methods
- These results for example resulted in increased efficiency of company processes, in the acceleration of the R&D process, changes to the R&D roadmap, increased credibility of the company
- 70% of the project partners had obtained or applied for further funding for a collaborative project after the completion of the TIA project
- 19% of the researchers employed in the projects were hired from abroad