Opportunities for research collaboration with the university are extensive, ranging from individual surveys to more in-depth collaborative projects and long-term partnerships. By leveraging the university’s broad expertise in research and the latest research-based knowledge, companies can develop their competence as well as new products and services.
Typical forms of collaboration in research include co-funded projects, staff mobility between companies and the university, as well as jointly implemented thesis projects. In addition, we offer businesses a wide range of research services that rely on our cutting-edge expertise and modern research infrastructure.
Co-funded projects
Co-funded projects are a typical way to engage in more sustained collaboration in applied research, technology development and innovation. In addition to collaboration in R&D, consortium-based collaboration in projects opens up opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing both on the national and international levels. Beyond research, collaboration in projects often promotes competence development, where research may aim for the completion of doctoral theses. Typical funders include Business Finland and the European Union. In some cases, projects are implemented directly as a co-funded effort between the university and the partner company.
Commissioned research
Commissioned research involves the implementation of projects that directly cater to a company’s business needs. These projects may include experimental research, expert analyses or testing services. Commissioned research makes use of the university’s expertise and skills in research, as well as the university’s research infrastructure.
In commissioned research, the client determines the objectives and content of the project, and also funds the research in full. As a rule, intellectual property rights generated in commissioned research belong to the client, i.e., the partner company.
Doctoral thesis projects
A significant proportion of the research conducted at the university pertains to doctoral dissertations. A doctoral dissertation can constitute part of research collaboration with a company either through a new or ongoing research project, or through the supervision and mentoring model. Depending on the mode of collaboration, the client may have the right to negotiate on the results, or they may belong directly to the client. In doctoral thesis projects, the publication of the results is always agreed upon with the partner company.
Research collaboration with the university may involve either co-funded research or commissioned research. In addition, a company may act as a supervisor or a steering group member for a project or a doctoral dissertation. Research collaboration may also involve activities between the university and a company that do not involve actual research funding. In such cases, the rights to results possibly arising from the activities will always be owned by the party creating them. As part of the collaboration, a party may also give the other party access to materials and data, and the rights to these will remain with the party providing access to them.
Co-funded research involves academic collaboration where the parties have a joint research plan, and each party has a role in the project. The results of co-funded research are generally public and are owned by the party creating them. Public disclosure of the results will always be carried out in a way that does not compromise the protection of the results. In co-funded research, a funding contribution is expected from each party.
Commissioned research, on the other hand, arises from the client’s needs and the research plan is typically provided by the client. The client pays the university, as agreed, for conducting the study and will own all results. VAT is always added to the amount invoiced to the client, and pricing must be based on a sound business rationale.
If the research collaboration involves a doctoral dissertation or student’s master’s thesis, it should be kept in mind that doctoral dissertations and master’s theses are always public and cannot include confidential information from the partner organisation.
University's actions affect society and the scientific community. We bear social responsibility both regionally and globally. Our partners must commit themselves to human rights, act in accordance with legislation and follow our code of conduct.
UEF’s partners are expected to act in an ethical and responsible manner. We do not cooperate with actors who do not comply with our values. The selection of partners aims at regional and global impact. We comply with the sanctions imposed by the EU and the UN and the obligations related to dual-use items.
Learn more about UEF's expertise in research and research infrastuctures
Contact information
Get in touch to get started! Together, we will discuss the topic, schedule, budget and mode of collaboration, as well as any other contractual matters (including IPR). We will chart the required expertise, resources and infrastructure at the university, as well as any ongoing research project proposals and other initiatives that the topic can be linked to. As part of our preparations for the collaboration, we will also make use of the university’s extensive networks and partnerships.
