The Finnish Research Impact Foundation (FRIF) board is welcoming three new members for the 2025–2027 term, who began their roles at the start of 2025. At the same time, Lauri Oksanen, Keijo Hämäläinen, and Virpi Muhonen will step down, having made a significant impact on the foundation’s work. We gathered thoughts from the outgoing board members on their experience in the board and FRIF’s role in connecting research and business.
Lauri Oksanen: “The Foundation has influenced the dialogue and expanded collaboration”
Lauri Oksanen has served as the Chair of FRIF’s Board since its founding in 2019. Having had a long career at Nokia, where he also serves as the head of Nokia’s global research, he brought valuable insights into the needs of large corporations and international research collaboration.
What has inspired you the most during your time on the board?
“Seeing the enthusiastic reception of new funding models and the projects they have enabled. It has been rewarding to be involved in developing initiatives that have a tangible impact.”
What do you see as the Foundation’s most significant achievement during your tenure?
“A renewed understanding in Finland of the importance of research-business collaboration. FRIF has set an example through its innovative funding models and has played a key role in shaping discussions on the RDI system.”
How do you see the Foundation’s role in the future?
“FRIF has had a much larger impact than its size would suggest. Going forward, it will be crucial to ensure that research-business collaboration continues to advance in practice. At the same time, new ways must be found to improve the efficiency of the RDI system.”
Virpi Muhonen: “The Foundation connects research and business in a new way”
Virpi Muhonen has been a member of FRIF’s Board since 2019. As the founder of a startup based on her own research, she has brought valuable expertise in research-driven entrepreneurship.
What has inspired you the most during your time on the board?
“The opportunity to explore research projects across different fields and to develop new funding instruments with tangible positive impacts.”
What do you see as the Foundation’s most significant achievement during your tenure?
“FRIF has successfully launched several new funding instruments and increased awareness of the impact of research-business collaboration.”
How do you see the foundation’s role in the future?
“Although FRIF is a small player, it has identified the right avenues for influence and achieved significant impact through them. Going forward, the key will be to continue developing new models and sharing what has been learned.”
Keijo Hämäläinen: “Impact is genuinely at the core of all activities”
Keijo Hämäläinen served on the board from 2022 to 2024. As the rector of both the University of Jyväskylä and Tampere University, and an experienced scientist, he brought a high-level research perspective to the board.
What has inspired you the most during your time on the board?
“The dynamism and the ability to test new approaches without the constraints of traditional structures. The diverse expertise within the board has also enriched the overall vision.”
What do you see as the Foundation’s most significant achievement during your tenure?
“The introduction of innovative funding instruments, such as the TIA Professor model, which represents something entirely new in Finland’s funding landscape.”
How do you see the Foundation’s role in the future?
“FRIF is much bigger than its size. Its greatest strength lies in identifying gaps and responding to them quickly.”
Read more about the three new members of FRIF’s Board here and learn about their perspectives on the foundation’s future.
