The Research Foundation of Helsinki University of Technology
The Research Foundation of Helsinki University of Technology is a foundation established by Finnish industry. Its goal is to support the scientific research and teaching of technical disciplines at the Aalto University schools of technology.
Collaboration between the Aalto University schools of technology and industry
The Aalto University schools of technology carry out research
The Aalto University schools of technology – School of Chemical Technology, School of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and School of Science – provide higher education and carry out scientific research in nearly all fields of technology. The departments of the schools have a highly-educated and goal-oriented research staff, and they are equipped with cutting-edge research equipment that meets the needs of both research and product development.
Each year, the schools of technology produce approximately 1 000 master's theses and 150 licentiate theses and doctoral dissertations. Many of the theses are directly applicable to the needs of industry. In addition, all departments carry out contract research commissioned by industrial companies, to whom it is an economically advantageous option.
The Research Foundation supports
The Research Foundation of Helsinki University of Technology is a foundation established by Finnish industry. Its goal is to support the scientific research and teaching of technical disciplines at the Aalto University schools of technology.
In recent years, the Foundation has co-financed approximately 200 doctoral dissertations, licentiate theses and master’s theses of the schools of technology with the help of industry-donated funds.
Research co-financed by the Foundation is advantageous for the grant recipients, because the Foundation grants are tax-free income provided their amount does not exceed that of the State Grant for Artists. In 2012, the limit for tax-free grants is EUR 19 049.88 per year.
Industry finances
The grants awarded by the Research Foundation are mostly funded by Finnish industrial companies, who may direct their gift to the Foundation to be used for research in a field of technology of their choice. This way, the gift and the research funded by it will support that field of technology which is the most important for the operations of the donating company.
Supporting research through the foundation provides industry a cost-effective way of gaining the basic knowledge they need for the development of production and products. In accordance with the Section 57 of the act on income tax (1535/1992), a gift of EUR 850–50.000 made to the Foundation for the purpose of promoting science is tax-deductible for the giving community. Naturally, the Foundation also accepts gifts exceeding the tax-deductible limit.
The collaboration between industry and the Foundation has developed favorably throughout the history of the Foundation. In 2011, the total amount of gift funds amounted to almost 1.7 million euros.
Fast and efficient
The Foundation aims at serving the donors and grant recipients in a fast and efficient manner. The donor decides on the gift, pays the gift sum, and submits the deed of gift to the Foundation. The Foundation directs the funds to the field of technology chosen by the donor. Since grant award decisions are made once a month, grant recipients can get their research underway without long delays.
Please see the page ‘Grant application and deed of gift forms' or contact the Foundation office for a sample deed of gift. Companies may use the sample form by filling it in and submitting the printed form to the Foundation.
