Research Council of Finland funds projects that promote the use of research results
The Proof of Concept scheme is a new funding instrument that aims to promote the utilisation of research results with a view to commercialisation and the creation of other societal impact. The funding can be used, for example, to test research results in practical settings or to develop new approaches to address the needs of industry, public administration or the third sector. The first call under the scheme was a pilot targeted at Principal Investigators working with Centre of Excellence (CoE) funding and at researchers selected by the Finnish Flagships Programme.
At Tampere University, funding was granted to six projects.
Urothelial cancer diagnosis and surveillance
Professor Matti Nykter received funding for a project that investigates whether a DNA test of urine can safely replace most cystoscopies in the diagnosis of bladder cancer and the surveillance of patients who have undergone bladder scraping. The study will be conducted as a randomised clinical trial. The project was granted €299,997.
Every year, cancers of the bladder and upper urinary tract are diagnosed in 600,000 people worldwide. The most commonly occurring symptom is blood in urine, which leads to an examination of the bladder using a flexible scope in a procedure called cystoscopy. Millions of cystoscopies are performed annually, but only 10% result in a cancer diagnosis. The project will develop a new test method where patients collect urine samples at home and post them to a laboratory. The DNA test that has already been developed in the project can detect bladder cancer with 98% sensitivity.
Promoting a sustainable game culture
Professor Olli Sotamaa received funding for the PEGASUS project that is aiming to shape Finnish game culture towards more sustainable cultural, social and economic growth. In PEGASUS, solutions to the current diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) challenges faced by the video game industry are created in collaboration with practitioners in the field. The project was granted €299,797.
In addition to peer-reviewed publications, the project will produce actionable DEI guidelines on best practices, which are co-created with community and industry representatives, as well as a tested workshop-based method for creating more culturally sustainable modes of operation.
Gamified augmented reality applications for observing trees and forests
Senior Research Fellow Timo Nummenmaa received funding for the GamiLiDAR research consortium. In the project, gamified augmented reality applications are developed to observe trees and forests, using light detection and ranging (LiDAR) technology in consumer devices. The approach enables data collection while a user experiences gameful interaction. This enhances the capacity to collect forest data and makes the experience engaging.
The consortium produces proof-of-concept applications that are used to collect point cloud and other spatial data to understand forest characteristics. It also gathers behavioural data to gain an insight into how user actions relate to the collected forest characteristics and the applied game mechanics. Tampere University’s share of the consortium funding is €299,533. The University of Eastern Finland is a partner.
Databases on inequalities
Professor Kaisa Kotakorpi received funding for a research consortium that aims to construct three databases of inequality that can be utilised in research. The databases comprise wealth, income and health differentials as well as the so called distributional national accounts.
The innovative sources of information created in the project are valuable for tracking multidimensional inequalities. The amalgamation of wealth and income data also provides insights into consumption patterns across entire populations. Collaboratively undertaken with several pivotal institutions in the field, the project affords an unparalleled opportunity to grasp how public policies can promote impartial social development. Tampere University’s share of the consortium funding is €237,340. The University of Helsinki is a partner.
Integrated pulsed lasers for quantum technologies
Professor Mircea Guina received funding for a project that aims to develop integrated ultrafast semiconductor lasers. The project demonstrates the suitability of these semiconductor laser systems for triggering quantum light sources based on semiconductor quantum dots. The funding Guina received amounts to €298,498.
Due to its small size, technology based on quantum dots is already scalable for industrial production. However, their triggering requires large and expensive laser equipment, which is a bottleneck for disseminating the technology. The aim of the project is to replace large trigger lasers with fast and stable laser oscillators based on semiconductor chips. The oscillators are intended to be a scalable part of an integrated entity utilised in quantum data transfer and encryption. The research is carried out in collaboration with leading research groups in Europe and the United States.
A novel method for the diagnostics of stroke
Professor Jari Hyttinen is a partner in a consortium that is testing a clinically new imaging technology for diagnosing stroke. The new monitoring solution is based on electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and it is designed for monitoring the brain status of acute stroke patients.
The new stroke monitoring technology has already shown great promise in physically realistic simulation studies and a laboratory setup, but the technology has not been clinically tested yet.
The project aims to solve the remaining mathematical and technological research questions and to conduct a clinical pilot trial. The new monitoring technology can lead to a significant societal and economic impact through the improved treatment of stroke. The consortium is led by the University of Eastern Finland. Aalto University is also a partner. Tampere University’s share of the consortium funding is €133,409.
“That Tampere University stood out so prominently in this funding call shows how impact and the utilisation of research results have been widely adopted by our researchers in line with the University’s strategy. We were the only university to receive funding from the fields of all three Scientific Councils, i.e., research on biosciences, health and the environment, research on humanities and social sciences and research on natural sciences and technology. At Research and Innovation Services, we support researchers in planning the impact and utilisation of their research results and in preparing related funding applications,” says Head of Innovation Services Juho Väisänen.
In the Proof of Concept call for applications, a total of €6,9 million was allocated to 27 projects and sub-projects. The success rate was 28%. The projects will begin in January 2024, and they will last for two years.
Read more about the funded projects on the Research Council of Finland website
