With the support from the Åbo Akademi Foundation, Åbo Akademi University (ÅAU) has maintained a Centre of Excellence in Research Programme since 2006. Åbo Akademi University will implement a fifth application round and appoint new CoEs from 1 January 2024. The CoE Programme aims to achieve research of the highest possible quality and impact. With the strategic investment in the CoE Programme,
Åbo Akademi University aims to improve the possibilities for researchers and research groups to compete for funds from the most competitive funding sources, such as Horizon Europe 2021–2027, the Academy of Finland and Business Finland.

In order to be able to apply for CoE status
• The Principal Investigator (PI) must be a senior researcher (professor, tenure track or the title of docent) and have a contract of employment with ÅAU. Their primary (>50 %) location for research activities must be in either of the ÅAU campus cities Åbo or Vasa
• The CoE funding must be used for activities at ÅAU
• The CoE must present a research plan and a preliminary budget for the CoE period

Planned timetable for the application round:
Application round 1:
• The call for proposals opens on 1 January 2023
• The call closes on 28.2.2023 at 15:15

Application round 2 for units reaching this stage:
• The round opens on 16.5.2023
• The round closes on 30.6.2023

Detailed instructions for the applying units will be issued when the call for applications opens.

Questions about the composition of a CoE unit can already be directed to
Vice-rector at Åbo Akademi University Reko Leino
E-mail address for the CoE application process: CoE@abo.fi