The Finnish Research Impact Foundation\u2019s (FRIF) new TIA Connect networking program brings social sciences and humanities (SSH) researchers to the forefront of solving companies\u2019 research challenges. The program offers researchers in the humanities a unique opportunity to build connections with businesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The social sciences and humanities hold vast untapped potential for businesses. This potential is increasingly recognized by both researchers and companies. However, collaboration is still in its early stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to researchers, one of the main bottlenecks for collaboration is the lack of networks with the business sector. From the companies\u2019 perspective, initiating collaboration is hindered by factors such as a lack of mutual understanding and limited knowledge of possible forms of cooperation and funding opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our TIA Connect program aims to address these challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The goal of TIA Connect is to bring together SSH researchers and companies, and to help them identify opportunities for research\u2013business collaboration. Both researchers and companies have expressed a strong interest in this kind of facilitated networking support from FRIF \u2013 and now it\u2019s available,\u201d says our Research Impact Officer Outi Vanharanta<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The program is free of charge for participating companies and researchers, and taking part does not commit either party to anything.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over the spring, the Foundation has been seeking open-minded companies to join the networking program. The participating companies have a research challenge to which the humanities can contribute. Companies already on board include F-Secure, Gugguu, Mirka, OP, Porokyl\u00e4n Leipomo, Valio, and Heino Group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The search for companies showed that there are truly interesting research challenges for SSH scholars across a wide range of industries. Many of these challenges are linked to current societal changes. These are critical issues for Finland, such as ecological sustainability, demographic shifts, and the transformation of the food sector,\u201d Vanharanta explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Foundation will publish descriptions of the companies\u2019 research challenges in early autumn. The call for researchers to apply to the TIA Connect program will open at the beginning of September. Researchers can apply by submitting a brief concept paper outlining how they would approach the company\u2019s challenge from a research perspective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In October, the FRIF will make decisions\u2014based on input from the companies\u2014about which researchers\u2019 proposals they would like to explore further. In November, the Foundation will facilitate a workshop where researchers and companies can get to know each other better and deepen their understanding of the research challenge and its potential solutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the researcher and the company find common ground, they can apply for the FRIF\u2019s two-year Tandem Industry Academia Postdoc (TIA) funding. If the funding is granted, the researcher will spend two years working closely with the partner company to address the identified challenge. One of those years will be spent embedded in the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to have found open-minded companies that see the potential of the social sciences and humanities in solving their challenges. Now, we need ambitious researchers who are eager to develop solutions to these problems,\u201d Vanharanta concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The companies\u2019 research challenges will be published in August, and the call for researchers to join the TIA Connect program will open at the beginning of September. Check out the TIA Connect call for applications<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch the recording of the application info session:<\/p>\n\n\n\nTIA Connect: Step by step<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Towards a TIA Postdoc funding application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n