Information about the Research Foundation

Orion Research Foundation sr distributes grants according to Foundation’s rules for Finnish medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy and natural sciences related to those, such as chemistry and physics. The foundation annually distributes approximately a million euros in grants to over a hundred different researchers. The support is particularly directed towards researchers at the beginning of their academic careers.

Grant Distribution

Most of the grants are from EUR 3,000 to EUR 6,000. The Foundation has distributed grants maximum EUR 50,000 for young researchers usually for international post doc –research or founding an own research group.

The Foundation’s ability to distribute grants is based on its funds investment revenues. Part of the funding is received annually by the Orion Co. This amount is included Orion Corporation’s profit distribution proposition and is verified separately in corporation meeting each year.

In addition to the annual grants, the foundation occasionally awards prize grants in recognition of successful scientific work. In 2022 two grants of EUR 100,000 were awarded to Tiina Sikanen and Jukka Westermarck. On Orion 100th anniversary in 2017 two grants amount of EUR 100,000 were awarded to Johanna Ivaska and Mikko Niemi. Orion-Farmos-award amount of EUR 75,000 was awarted to Hannes Lohi in 2012. The Foundation has also been involved with the Foundations’ Professor Pool during its operation.  

Administration

The board of the Research Foundation has 11 members. They represent the organisations of the awarded fields, five Academic Medical Education Departments and Orion Corporation.

Orion Research Foundation sr’s decisions about the grants are independent from Orion Corporation’s influence.

The Orion Research Foundation also includes the Oriola Fund, the Panfarma Fund, and the Maritza and Reino Salonen Restricted Fund, the management of which and the awarding of grants are the responsibility of the Orion Research Foundation’s board.