Government R&D funding in the state budget: documentation of statistics
The documentation of the statistics describes how the statistics were compiled and what methods were used in the compilation. The data help interpret the figures of the statistics and evaluate their reliability and comparability. The quality report is based on the EU's SIMS model. The documentation also contains change releases describing changes in the statistics and possible specifying methodological descriptions.
If you are looking for statistical figures for these statistics, go to the statistics page: Government R&D funding in the state budget
Quality report
Data description (SIMS 3.1)
The statistics on R&D funding in the state budget describe the funding allocated to research and development in the state budget. The data are collected from national budget proposals and as an inquiry directly from the ministries and organisations. The data are published twice a year.
Sector coverage (SIMS 3.3)
The statistics cover state-funded R&D activities, and the population comprises central agencies, ministries and the research institutes under them.
Statistical unit (SIMS 3.5)
The statistical unit is ministries, agencies and other organisations, and central government research institutes.
Statistical population (SIMS 3.6)
The target population includes all organisations that award government research funding.
Reference area (SIMS 3.7)
The statistics cover the central government branch of administration, not municipalities or joint municipal authorities.
Time coverage (SIMS 3.8)
The statistics on central government R&D funding have been compiled since 1975. The statistics were transferred directly from the Academy of Finland to Statistics Finland in 2002.
The date of publication of the preliminary data based on the budget proposal is February of the statistical reference year (t-10). The final data based on the approved revised budget are published in August (t+8). The preliminary data are revised later based on supplementary budgets and actual payment data. The aim is to produce a time series that is as complete as possible, and to make it available to data users as soon as possible. The final budgetary data are influenced not only by supplementary budgets but also by actual payment data.
Unit of measure (SIMS 4)
The unit of measure used in the statistics is EUR million.
Reference period (SIMS 5)
The statistics on central government R&D funding are published annually. The R&D funding for the statistical reference year is based on the budget proposal submitted by the Government to Parliament. The statistics describe in particular R&D funding in the current state budget and its change from the previous year.
Classifications (SIMS 3.2)
The results of the statistics are broken down according to the socioeconomic objectives category of NABS 2007) (Nomenclature for the analysis and comparison of scientific programmes and budgets) Link to the classification
The data are also classified by administrative branch and organisation.
Concepts and definitions (SIMS 3.4)
R&D appropriation
Government R&D funding refers to appropriations and outlays for research and development in the state budget, i.e. intentions to spend money. Public funding for research and development includes R&D appropriations allocated to ministries, central government agencies and institutions. Development work of government-owned enterprises and municipalities is not included in the calculations.
Research and development activity
Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge. The five criteria for identifying R&D: To be aimed at new findings (novel) The aim of the R&D is to produce new knowledge and novelties. Mere application of the existing knowledge in development of new solutions, products or procedures is not R&D activity. To be based on original, not obvious, concepts and hypotheses (creative) Characteristic to R&D activity is creativity, setting and testing of new hypothesis and concepts. Routine activities in the development of products, processes or other procedures in not R&D activity. To be uncertain about the final outcome (uncertain) R&D involves uncertainty regarding outcomes and costs. To be planned and budgeted (systematic) R&D is conducted in a planned way, with records kept of both the process followed and the outcome. The purpose of the R&D project and the sources of funding for the R&D performed should be identified. R&D is often organized as a project, but it can also be goal-oriented activity of a person or a group. To lead to results that could be possibly reproduced (transferable and/or reproducible) An R&D project should result in the potential for the transfer of the new knowledge which also can be reproduced. Distribution by type of R&D Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view. Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective. Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.
Socio-economic objective
Government budget appropriations or outlays for R&D are considered in the statistics according to the social policy (socio-economic) objective. The division of government R&D funding into different objectives depends on the viewpoint of the classifier, in this case the provider of funding. The definitions used in Finland are based on the NABS classification (Nomenclature for the Analysis and Comparison of Scientific Programmes and Budgets, rev. 2007): Agriculture Industrial production and technology Energy Transport, telecommunication and other infrastructures Defence Exploration and exploitation of the earth Environment Health Education Culture, recreation, religion and mass media Political and social systems, structures and processes General advancement of knowledge: R&D financed from other sources than GUF General advancement of knowledge: R&D financed from general university funds (GUF) Exploration and exploitation of space
Institutional mandate (SIMS 6)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Legal acts and other agreements (SIMS 6.1)
The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. The Statistics Act contains provisions on collection of data, processing of data and the obligation to provide data. Besides the Statistics Act, the Data Protection Act and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities are applied to processing of data when producing statistics.
Statistics Finland compiles statistics in line with the EU’s regulations applicable to statistics, which steer the statistical agencies of all EU Member States.
Further information: Statistical legislation
Data sharing (SIMS 6.2)
The results of the statistics on R&D funding in the state budget are published on the home page of the statistics on the due date. The links on the home page lead to the description of the statistics, concepts and definitions as well as free of charge statistical database tables (StatFin). Eurostat also publishes data on government budget allocations for R&D (GBARD) on its own website.
Source data (SIMS 18.1)
State budget and supplementary budgets. Data are collected from ministries, agencies, government organisations and research institutes.
Frequency of data collection (SIMS 18.2)
The data are collected annually.
Data collection (SIMS 18.3)
The data are collected using an electronic questionnaire from central government organisations receiving and distributing government R&D funding. The data providers comprise funding organisations, agencies, ministries and research institutes under them. A research project can also be a statistical unit. Some data are obtained directly from the budget proposal.
The data to be submitted to the OECD and Eurostat for comparison purposes require accurate data on research funding in the ‘General advancement of knowledge’ category, broken down by discipline. The breakdown of the data concerning the ‘R&D funding for universities’ sub-category may be carried out after the completion of the R&D statistics (t+10), using the breakdown of expenditure by discipline in the higher education sector. The funding in the ‘General advancement of knowledge, other’ sub-category is broken down by discipline, using the Academy of Finland’s discipline-specific financial information, which is obtained from the Academy of Finland.
Data validation (SIMS 18.4)
The data are compared with the previous year’s responses and the budget. It is also checked that the budget item indicated is correct, and that there is no overlap between the contributions received from different organisations. The figures on R&D expenditure produced in the R&D statistics can be used to help verify the accuracy and correctness of the data. If necessary, the respondents are asked to provide further information.
Data compilation (SIMS 18.5)
The data are checked for inconsistencies and compared with the relevant budget item. The approved figures are broken down by administrative branch, organisation and socioeconomic objective category.
Overall accuracy (SIMS 13.1)
The definitions and recommendations of the OECD are used in the compilation of the statistics. Research funding is compiled according to the budget year, not the year of use. R&D expenditure is the proportion of expenditure that is used to fund activities falling within the definition of R&D. However, despite the instructions and definitions provided, it is ultimately the respondent who decides what is considered R&D, which may lead to measurement errors. The statistics represent a total survey. In practice, non-response does not occur, because the respondents are contacted directly where necessary.
Quality assurance (SIMS 11.1)
Quality management requires comprehensive guidance of activities. The European Statistics Code of Practice forms the basis for the common quality system of the European Statistical System.
The Code of Practice is based on 16 principles that concern statistical authorities' independence, accountability and the quality of the processes and data to be published.
The principles are in line with the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics approved by the United Nations Statistics Commission and are supplementary to them. The quality criteria of Official Statistics of Finland are compatible with the European Statistics Code of Practice.
Further information: European Statistics Code of Practice | Statistics Finland and Recommendations of the Advisory Board of Official Statistics of Finland | Statistics Finland
Quality assessment (SIMS 11.2)
Data revision - policy (SIMS 17.1)
Revisions – i.e. improvements in the accuracy of statistical data already published – are a normal feature of statistical production and result in improved quality of statistics. The principle is that statistical data are based on the best available data and information concerning the statistical phenomenon. On the other hand, the revisions are communicated as transparently as possible in advance. Advance communication ensures that the users can prepare for the data revisions.
The reason why data in statistical releases become revised is often caused by the data becoming supplemented. Then the new, revised statistical figure is based on a wider information basis and describes the phenomenon more accurately than before.
Revisions of statistical data may also be caused by the calculation method used, such as annual benchmarking or updating of weight structures. Changes of base years and used classifications may also cause revisions to data.
Timeliness (SIMS 14.1)
The date of publication of the preliminary data based on the budget proposal is February of the statistical reference year (t-10). The final data based on the approved revised budget are published in August (t+8).
Comparability - geographical (SIMS 15.1)
The results of the statistics on R&D funding are comparable in the OECD and EU Member States at aggregate level. The main differences between countries are reflected in the classification according to the socioeconomic objective of funding.
Comparability - over time (SIMS 15.2)
1995 External funding of research institutes is removed from the state R&D budget.
1997 University hospitals are included in the calculations.
2015 The Natural Research Institute Finland (Luke) is established following the merger of the MTT Agrifood Research Finland, the Finnish Forest Research Institute (Metla), the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute (RKTL) and the statistical services of the Information Centre of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (Tike).
2016 The more specific sub-categories based on the Nordforsk classification are phased out, and the statistics are now broken down according to the NABS 2007 categories.
2018 Business Finland (former Tekes) commences operation. Universities of applied sciences are separated from other funding and given their own category.
2019 The Finnish Food Authority is established following the merger of Finnish Food Safety Authority Evira, Agency for Rural Affairs (Mavi) and part of the Centre for ICT Services at the National Land Survey of Finland.
2020 The definition of R&D funding for universities is based partly on actual expenditure on research in previous years and partly on the share of research expenditure in the core funding of universities. Research funding is affected by the updating of the calculation method carried out in the statistical reference year 2017 and the resulting increase in actual research expenditure. In 2020, some research funding data from research institutes are affected by the updating of the calculation methods.
2023 The research and development funding of the Academy of Finland and Business Finland will no longer include the share of research funding calculated from operating expenses.
2024 The estimated research and development funding of welfare regions added to the statistics
Coherence – cross domain (SIMS 15.3)
The statistics on R&D funding in the state budget describe public R&D funding; Statistics Finland’s statistics on research and development describe expenditure on R&D activities.
Coherence - internal (SIMS 15.4)
The public funding in the R&D expenditure statistics (outcome data) may not correspond to the public R&D funding (planned expenditure) in the R&D funding statistics. Unlike the research statistics, the R&D funding statistics also include membership fees and contributions to international organisations. The basic definition of ‘R&D activities’ is the same for both statistics.
Release calendar (SIMS 8.1)
Statistics Finland publishes new statistical data at 8 am on weekdays in its web service. The release times of statistics are given in advance in the release calendar available in the web service. The data become public after they have been updated in the web service.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics at Statistics Finland
Release calendar access (SIMS 8.2)
Statistics Finland's release calendar Future publications
Future publications of the statistics can be found on the page of the statistics at: Future publications of the statistics
User access (SIMS 8.3)
The data are released to all users at the same time. Statistical data may be processed at Statistics Finland and information on them may be given before release only by persons involved in the production of the statistics concerned or who need the data of the statistics concerned in their own work before the data are published.
Further information: Publication principles for statistics
Unless otherwise specifically stated in connection with the product, data or service concerned, Statistics Finland is the producer and copyright owner of the data. The terms of use for statistical data.
Frequency of dissemination (SIMS 9)
The statistics are published annually.
News release (SIMS 10.1)
The release is published annually on the home page of the statistics.
Online database (SIMS 10.3)
The database tables of the statistics can be found in the StatFin database.
Confidentiality - policy (SIMS 7.1)
The data protection of data collected for statistical purposes is guaranteed. The compilation of statistics is guided by the Statistics Act. Alongside the Statistics Act, the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation and the Finnish Data Protection Act are applied to the processing of personal data. Provisions on the confidentiality of data collected for statistical purposes are laid down in the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
The data are processed only by persons who need the data in their work. The use of data is restricted by usage rights. All persons employed by Statistics Finland have signed a pledge of secrecy, where they have obliged to keep secret the data prescribed as confidential by virtue of the Statistics Act or the Act on the Openness of Government Activities.
Further information: Data protection | Statistics Finland (stat.fi)
Confidentiality - data treatment (SIMS 7.2)
According to the Statistics Act (280/2004), the data of the statistics are in the public domain.