PoDoCo Awards Funding to 14 New Research–Industry Collaborations
PoDoCo (Post Docs in Companies) is pleased to announce 14 new research–industry collaborations from the spring 2026 application round. The funded projects bring doctoral expertise into companies to accelerate innovation, strengthen competitiveness, and support sustainable business development across a wide range of industries.
The new PoDoCo collaborations cover diverse research and innovation topics, including:
- Artificial intelligence and data-driven innovation, from AI agents for software portfolio management to data-driven engineering and commercialization strategies.
- Clean energy and advanced battery technologies, including solid-state batteries, activated carbon materials for energy storage, and hydrogen production optimization.
- Sustainable materials and circular bioeconomy, featuring renewable bio-based materials, microcrystalline cellulose production, fiber recycling, and wood-based innovations.
- Advanced manufacturing and surface engineering, including atomic layer deposition technologies and data-driven mechanical product development.
- Environmental technologies and water systems, with digital optimization of wastewater treatment processes and biodiversity monitoring using portable molecular technologies.
- Health technologies and wellbeing solutions, including adaptive sensory support for individuals with autism and innovations in medical technology ecosystems.
Since 2015, the PoDoCo programme has awarded 298 grants involving more than 200 companies. PoDoCo has connected companies with highly skilled doctoral researchers, creating new career opportunities for PhDs while promoting research-based innovation in Finnish businesses. The programme is open to companies from all sectors as well as doctoral graduates and researchers nearing the completion of their doctoral degree.
The PoDoCo programme is funded by Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation, Svenska kulturfonden (The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland), Finnish Foundation for Technology Promotion, KAUTE Foundation – The Finnish Science Foundation for Economics and Technology, The Finnish Foundation for Economic Education, and Maa- ja vesitekniikan tuki ry.
See also the list of PoDoCo grant recipients from the Spring 2026 application round.
