Almost €5 million in new research funding for the University of Oulu

The University of Oulu has been awarded nearly €5 million in funding from the EU’s new Interreg Aurora programme to boost cross-border cooperation in northern Europe and Sápmi. The University of Oulu is the project leader in six projects. In total, 27 projects were approved by the Interreg Aurora steering committee in the first call, receiving a total of over €21 million.

The projects led by the University of Oulu are developing, for example, new solutions for environmentally friendly battery technology and sustainable hydrogen technology. The project partners include the Luleå University of Technology, the University of Tromsø, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology.

The Interreg Aurora-funded projects coordinated by the University of Oulu are:

  • SUSEN – Knowledge and networking platform for sustainable electronics based on northern bioresources
  • EcoLIB – Eco-friendly and sustainable method for the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries
  • Sustainable Hydrogen – Potential for Bothnia Gulf Cluster
  • RE-HYDRO – Rethinking Hydropower Management: Safeguarding Biodiversity while improving Climate Adaptation
  • Implementation of DeD AM in future manufacturing
  • Preparatory DigiÁrran

“Almost all the components and equipment used in electronics are still based on non-renewable raw materials. However, with the ongoing green and digital dual transition, the need for so-called green electronics has become apparent. Northern Finland and Northern Sweden have research and business activities and resources related to renewable bio-based materials and electronics, which can offer significant future opportunities,” says Henrikki Liimatainen, Professor of Fibre and Particle Technology and leader of the SUSEN project.

The SUSEN project develops new green electronic components and applications based on renewable northern resources. Its main objective is to identify northern research and business operators in the field of green electronics and to promote cross-border cooperation in the field.

In addition, the University of Oulu is a partner in five projects developing, for example, a method for handling materials based on fossil-free autonomous vehicles, sustainable construction as well as the built environment and the use of the 6G technology in the Arctic environment.

The first calls for funding under the Interreg Aurora 2021–2027 programme opened in June. The Interreg programmes support the integration of border regions and wider cross-border cooperation areas, and the creation and strengthening of networks between regions and cities. By increasing cooperation, the programmes contribute to the competitiveness and economic development of the regions. The programmes also contribute to the environmental objectives of the European Green Development Programme.

Last updated: 21.12.2022