More than 900,000 euro awarded for medical and natural science research
The Sakari Alhopuro Foundation has awarded more than 900,000 euro to research in the fields of medical science and the natural sciences. This year, grants were awarded to 14 medical science researchers and 6 natural science researchers. Of the researchers, approximately one third will be receiving continued funding for research work initiated earlier with support from the Foundation.Published 31.5.2024
The Board of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation has decided to provide 915,000 euro in funding for 20 doctoral research projects and research focused on a nasally administered COVID-19 vaccine. The largest grants are as much as 60,000 euro. The researchers were awarded the funding as personal grants, research project grants or both, simultaneously. Approximately one third of the current funding was awarded as continued funding to enable a researcher to carry on with research work initiated earlier with support from the Foundation.
The Foundation received a total of 222 applications by the deadline. This was significantly more than last year. The most applications came from the Universities of Turku and Helsinki.
“The number of quality applications shows that we have a great many talented young doctors, who are conducting scientifically high-level projects”, says Pentti Huovinen, Chairman of the Board of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation.
The Sakari Alhopuro Foundation wants to do its part to facilitate the possibilities for doctoral students to choose a career in research. It is the Foundation’s view that long-term medical and natural science research creates the basis for stable well-being for all of Finland and its people.
“Research funding provided by foundations is not only essential for grant recipients but for all of us. Without high-level research and committed researchers, the health care sector would be unable to provide us with effective and timely treatment. Our need for the information produced by research related to biodiversity is equally as vital”, adds Huovinen.
In addition to awarding research grants, the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation has, over recent years, provided more than one million euro to COVID-19 research being conducted at the University of Helsinki. This year, the Foundation is providing 60,000 euro in additional funding to support the research work focused on developing a nasally administered vaccine. The aim of the research is to create a new generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine that can be adapted quickly as new variants arise.
The awarded research projects and names of grant recipients are found on the Foundation website.
Further information:
Carita Rantanen, Managing Director
tel. +358 40 503 9609
carita.rantanen(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi
Pentti Huovinen, Chairman of the Board
tel. +358 40 505 2284
pentti.huovinen(at)sakarialhopuronsaatio.fi
The purpose of the Sakari Alhopuro Foundation is to support and promote high-quality medical research, biodiversity, entrepreneurship as well as cultural and social well-being in Finland.