Deadline: 15-Aug-2026
The Innovations, Commercialization and Growth Grant Program supports research that helps transform knowledge into internationally scalable business solutions and strengthens Finland’s economic competitiveness. The 2026 call places particular emphasis on pricing and sales management, including value-based pricing, value creation, productization, marketing, and international business scaling. Funding is available for doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research groups, and organizations, with individual annual funding of €27,000 for doctoral researchers and €32,000 for postdoctoral researchers.
Overview
The Innovations, Commercialization and Growth Grant Program supports high-quality research that can improve the global competitiveness of Finnish companies.
The program focuses on research that advances commercialization, strengthens market performance, and helps knowledge-based ideas become practical business applications.
It is especially relevant for researchers and organizations working on innovation management, international business growth, sales, pricing, productization, and digital business models.
Purpose of the Grant Program
The purpose of the program is to strengthen Finland’s economic competitiveness by supporting research that can be translated into business value.
The grant encourages research that helps Finnish companies commercialize knowledge, improve their market strategies, scale internationally, and create stronger business models.
The program also supports interdisciplinary research that can contribute to business development, even when the applicant is outside traditional business disciplines.
Key Focus Areas
The program focuses on value-based pricing, value creation, productization, marketing and sales processes, scaling business operations in international markets, innovation management, manufacturing, services, business concepts, digital channels, digital business concepts, commercialization strategies, pricing management, sales management, and internationally scalable business solutions.
For the 2026 call, particular emphasis is placed on pricing and sales management.
What the Program Supports
The Innovations, Commercialization and Growth Grant Program supports research that connects academic knowledge with business applications.
Supported research may explore how companies can:
- Commercialize research-based knowledge
- Improve value-based pricing
- Strengthen sales management
- Develop better marketing and sales processes
- Create stronger business concepts
- Productize services or technologies
- Scale operations in international markets
- Use digital channels and concepts effectively
- Improve innovation management
- Develop competitive manufacturing and service models
- Build internationally scalable business solutions
The program is intended to support research that can create practical value for Finnish companies and improve their competitiveness in global markets.
What Commercialization Means in This Program
Commercialization refers to the process of turning knowledge, research, ideas, technologies, products, or services into solutions that can succeed in the market.
In this program, commercialization may include research on:
- How companies create value for customers
- How products or services are developed for market use
- How pricing strategies influence growth
- How sales processes can improve business performance
- How innovations can be scaled internationally
- How digital tools and channels support market expansion
The program is not only about launching products. It also supports research that helps companies understand markets, customers, business models, and international growth strategies.
Funding Amount for Individual Researchers
Individual and working group grants are available for doctoral and postdoctoral research.
Funding periods may last from 4 to 12 months.
Annual funding amounts are:
- €27,000 for doctoral researchers
- €32,000 for postdoctoral researchers
Applicants should ensure that the proposed research period fits within the allowed 4 to 12-month timeframe.
Funding for Research Groups
Research group grants must be led by a Principal Investigator.
Research group funding may extend from 12 to 36 months.
Under the thematic special project, total project durations may range from 1 to 3 years.
Research groups must include doctoral and postdoctoral members and should demonstrate how the team’s combined expertise supports the research objectives.
Additional Funding Support
Applicants may also apply for support for research-related activities.
Additional support may be available for:
- Conference travel
- Research visits
- Study trips
- Conference organization
These activities should clearly support the research objectives and contribute to academic or business-related knowledge exchange.
Who Is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Doctoral researchers
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Research teams
- Research groups
- Working groups
- Organizations
- Principal Investigators leading research groups
- Interdisciplinary applicants outside traditional business fields
Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection between their research and the program’s focus on commercialization, innovation, pricing, sales, growth, or competitiveness.
Who Is Not Eligible?
The program does not support undergraduate or graduate degree studies.
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that focus only on general education or degree completion without a clear research and commercialization component.
Research Group Requirements
Research groups must be led by a Principal Investigator.
They must include doctoral and postdoctoral members.
Research groups should also demonstrate plans for building international research networks.
A strong research group application should explain:
- The role of the Principal Investigator
- The expertise of doctoral and postdoctoral members
- The research group’s structure
- The planned international research connections
- How the team will contribute to commercialization and growth research
- How the project will support Finnish company competitiveness
Why It Matters
Commercialization and international growth are important for Finland’s long-term economic competitiveness.
Many strong research ideas do not automatically become successful business solutions. Companies often need better strategies for pricing, sales, productization, market expansion, innovation management, and digital business development.
This grant program matters because it supports research that can help Finnish companies compete globally, improve market performance, and turn knowledge into scalable business value.
The 2026 emphasis on pricing and sales management is especially important because these areas directly influence revenue growth, customer value, international expansion, and business sustainability.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare a clear research proposal that explains the project’s purpose, commercialization relevance, expected contribution, and funding needs.
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Applicants should first confirm that they fall within an eligible applicant category.
Eligible categories include doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research teams, working groups, and organizations.
Applicants should also confirm that the proposal is not for undergraduate or graduate degree studies.
Step 2: Define the Research Problem
The application should clearly explain the business or economic challenge the research will address.
The problem may relate to:
- Pricing
- Sales management
- Commercialization
- International scaling
- Productization
- Marketing processes
- Innovation management
- Digital business models
- Manufacturing or service development
The problem should be relevant to Finnish companies and their competitiveness.
Step 3: Explain the Commercialization Link
Applicants should show how the research can help transform knowledge into business applications.
This section should explain:
- What knowledge or innovation is being studied
- How the research relates to market needs
- How the findings may support business development
- How Finnish companies may benefit
- How the project contributes to international competitiveness
Step 4: Align with the 2026 Priority
The 2026 call gives particular emphasis to pricing and sales management.
Applicants working in these areas should clearly highlight the connection.
Relevant topics may include:
- Value-based pricing
- Customer value creation
- Sales process development
- Pricing strategy
- Sales performance
- International sales models
- Market entry pricing
- Digital sales channels
Step 5: Prepare the Research Plan
The research plan should explain the objectives, methods, timeline, and expected outcomes.
It should include:
- Research questions
- Theoretical framework
- Methodology
- Data sources
- Work plan
- Timeline
- Expected scientific contribution
- Expected business relevance
- Connection to Finnish company competitiveness
Step 6: Prepare the Funding Plan
Applicants should clearly state the requested funding amount and research period.
Doctoral and postdoctoral applicants should ensure that the proposed work period is between 4 and 12 months.
Research group applicants should ensure that the project duration fits within the 12 to 36-month range.
Step 7: Describe the Research Team
For research groups, the application should describe the team structure and expertise.
This should include:
- Principal Investigator role
- Doctoral researcher roles
- Postdoctoral researcher roles
- Interdisciplinary expertise
- International research network plans
- Collaboration strategy
Step 8: Include Additional Support Requests
If applying for conference travel, research visits, study trips, or conference organization, applicants should explain how these activities support the project.
The request should be clearly connected to research quality, knowledge exchange, or international collaboration.
Step 9: Submit the Application
Applicants should submit a complete application through the required process, including all necessary research, funding, organizational, and supporting information.
The application should be clear, focused, and aligned with the program’s commercialization and growth objectives.
Selection Considerations
Applications are likely to be assessed based on research quality, relevance, feasibility, and contribution to Finnish economic competitiveness.
Important assessment factors may include:
- Scientific quality of the research
- Relevance to commercialization and growth
- Connection to Finnish companies’ competitiveness
- Alignment with pricing and sales management priorities
- Feasibility of the research plan
- Strength of the applicant or research team
- Potential for international research collaboration
- Practical relevance for business applications
- Clarity of funding needs
- Contribution to innovation and market development
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should clearly connect research excellence with business relevance.
Applicants should:
- Focus on a clear commercialization challenge
- Explain the value for Finnish companies
- Highlight pricing and sales management relevance where applicable
- Present a strong research design
- Show how the findings can support international growth
- Explain the novelty of the research
- Include realistic timelines and funding needs
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary value if relevant
- Show plans for international networks
- Make the business application of the research easy to understand
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting proposals that are too general or weakly connected to commercialization.
Common mistakes include:
- Focusing only on academic theory without business relevance
- Not explaining how Finnish companies may benefit
- Ignoring the 2026 emphasis on pricing and sales management
- Submitting undergraduate or graduate degree study proposals
- Providing an unclear research plan
- Not explaining the commercialization pathway
- Requesting funding for an ineligible period
- Failing to describe the research group structure
- Not including doctoral and postdoctoral members in research group proposals
- Providing weak plans for international research networking
- Submitting a proposal without clear market or competitiveness relevance
FAQ
1. What is the Innovations, Commercialization and Growth Grant Program?
It is a grant program that supports research aimed at strengthening Finland’s economic competitiveness by helping transform knowledge into internationally scalable business solutions.
2. What are the main focus areas of the program?
The program focuses on value-based pricing, value creation, productization, marketing and sales processes, international scaling, innovation management, manufacturing, services, business concepts, digital channels, pricing, and sales management.
3. What is the 2026 priority area?
The 2026 call places particular emphasis on pricing and sales management.
4. Who can apply?
Doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research teams, working groups, and organizations can apply. Interdisciplinary applicants outside traditional business fields are also eligible.
5. How much funding is available for individual researchers?
Annual funding is €27,000 for doctoral researchers and €32,000 for postdoctoral researchers. Individual and working group grants may cover research periods of 4 to 12 months.
6. How long can research group projects last?
Research group grants led by a Principal Investigator may run from 12 to 36 months. Under the thematic special project, project durations may range from 1 to 3 years.
7. Are undergraduate or graduate studies eligible?
No. Undergraduate and graduate degree studies are not eligible for funding.
Conclusion
The Innovations, Commercialization and Growth Grant Program supports research that helps Finnish companies turn knowledge into market-ready and internationally scalable business solutions. With funding for doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, research groups, and organizations, the program strengthens research connected to commercialization, innovation management, pricing, sales, productization, digital channels, and international business growth. Applicants should submit clear, research-driven proposals that demonstrate strong business relevance, practical value for Finnish companies, and alignment with the 2026 priority on pricing and sales management.
For more information, visit Foundation for Economic Education.
