Finland announced it has renewed its commitment to cutting-edge research infrastructure by securing its place in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) roadmap.
The decision ensures that Finnish researchers and industry partners continue to have access to world-class facilities, driving advancements in 6G, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence.
The Academy of Finland’s ESFRI funding round for 2025 confirmed which Finnish projects would receive backing, reinforcing the country’s role in shaping Europe’s long-term research strategy.
After a selection process by the FIRI committee, Finland’s ESFRI delegates formally approved national participation in key initiatives. This means that Finnish research teams will be working alongside Europe’s leading institutions, contributing to high-impact projects that define the future of technology.
According to the University of Oulu, which leads the 6G Flagship initiative, ESFRI means a lot for 6G research. Participation in ESFRI-backed infrastructures opens access to advanced testbeds, high-performance computing clusters, and cross-border collaborations. For wireless research, and particularly 6G development, this enables deeper experimentation in higher frequency bands, AI-driven network optimisation, and energy-efficient architectures.
“At the University of Oulu, ESFRI involvement strengthens our 6G Test Network as a key facility in Europe’s wireless research ecosystem. Access to pan-European infrastructure means researchers can conduct large-scale experiments beyond national resources to accelerate the transition to real-world applications,“ said Professor Matti Latva-aho, the director of 6G Flagship.
Industry gains from ESFRI investments
For companies, ESFRI participation offers direct benefits. Firms in telecommunications, semiconductor design, and AI-powered networks gain early exposure to research breakthroughs and ease of fostering industry-academic collaboration. Leading technology companies now have greater access to shared research environments to test and refine next-generation technologies before they reach the market.
Strategic partnerships formed through ESFRI projects also help the European industry stay ahead of regulatory developments, ensuring compliance with emerging standards and strengthening Europe’s role in defining future wireless communications frameworks.
Finland’s renewed ESFRI participation directly fuels its 6G ambitions. “Access to cutting-edge facilities and international collaborations will enable Finnish researchers and companies to, for example, prototype and test new 6G technologies at scale and contribute directly to the development of global 6G standards. This translates to a more competitive position in the global technology market,” underlines Latva-aho.
