VTT - Technical Research Centre of Finland

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (VTT), is a state owned and controlled non-profit limited liability company established by law. Act on the Limited Liability Company Called VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd (8761/2014) lays down provisions on the operations and status of VTT (this Act enters into force 1st of January 2015 and supersedes the Act on the Technical Research Centre of Finland 953/2010 and all amendments subsequently made to it). The Ministry of Employment and the Economy is responsible for state ownership steering.

As an impartial non-profit Research and Technology Organisation (RTO) and with the national mandate and mission to support economic competitiveness, societal development and innovation, VTT carries out research and innovation activities for the needs of industry and knowledge-based society. In 2018, VTT’s net turnover was 159,7 million € and other operational incomes were 81,2 million €, with highly educated personnel of 2054. VTT receives approximately one third of its total income directly from the Finnish government. This allows VTT to carry out the high-risk strategic research and to invest in research and technology infrastructures, which are necessary to generate the knowledge and know-how required for fulfilling VTT’s public mandate.

To contribute to EU goals for 2020 and beyond VTT works in synergy with the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy, with regional innovation networks throughout Finland and with numerous European platforms and partnerships. Within Horizon 2020, VTT aims at renewal of European industrial value chains increasing EU competitiveness while strengthening dynamic ecosystems and addressing Societal Challenges.

VTT is organised around three main areas: Knowledge intensive products and services, Smart industry and energy systems, and Solutions for natural resources and environment. However, all VTT activities are characterised by genuine trans-disciplinary and cross-sectoral approaches and the daily project work is planned and implemented within multi-year, coordinated programmes.

VTT has a long and vast experience in EU projects under different funding programmes and other frameworks (also PPPs, EITs, EIPs, etc.). On average, the share of industry partners was 48% in those consortia where VTT was engaged in FP7. In 2018, VTT was involved in 403 EU-funded research projects (278 within H2020). Ranked among the leading European RTOs, VTT is committed to responsible collaboration for achieving the Europe 2020 goals by networking with Finnish and European actors in the global context.

In December 2017, VTT has been recognized with the “HR Excellence in Research” award by the European Commission as one of the first RTO’s. The award reflects VTT’s commitment to continuously improve its own human resource and leadership policies in line with the 40 principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, notably VTT’s commitment to achieve fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.