"Funding should not be sought at any cost, such as by removing certain words from research proposals," says Vice-Rector Anne Portaankorva from the University of Helsinki.
The media have recently spotlighted the new United States federal government policies according to which certain research topics or words in research proposals may thwart the chances of receiving funding from federal sources. The focus has been on topics and concepts related to climate change, the green transition and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The Constitution of Finland enshrines the freedom of research and higher education. The University of Helsinki emphasises that the independently selected topics and research proposals drafted by researchers constitute the cornerstones of research and its freedom. Forbidding certain topics or words violates this principle.
"The values of the University of Helsinki are truth, Bildung, freedom and inclusivity. We act in accordance with our values and the principle of academic freedom. The acquisition of research funding is an important instrument in carrying out academic research. However, funding should not be sought at any cost, such as by removing certain words from research proposals under direct or indirect threat by the funder or a government ," affirms Anne Portaankorva, Vice-Rector for research, doctoral education and sustainability at the University of Helsinki.
An indefinite federal funding freeze for research
According to the decision of the current US government, no federal funding, such as research funding, is to be paid outside the country until further notice. This decision also concerns the University of Helsinki and the funding it has received from US federal sources.
Such funding has been channelled to the University of Helsinki through American universities and other collaboration partners primarily for research that has been carried out together with North American researchers. The American president's executive orders may also affect funding from the Fulbright Finland Foundation. The research funding originating from the US federal government makes up about two per cent of the University of Helsinki's overall research funding.
High-quality international research collaboration promotes the further development of scholarship and research and enables finding solutions to major challenges. The University of Helsinki is keeping track of developments and hopes that in the course of this spring the circumstances around federal funding in the United States will become clearer and the currently frozen funding will again become available.
