University of Eastern Finland appeals minister’s funding rejection

The University of Eastern Finland will file a formal appeal against a decision by Minister of Social Affairs and Health Wille Rydman to deny funding for a child protection research project, the university’s vice dean Sari Rissanen confirmed to Yle.

Rydman, of the Finns Party, rejected funding for nine social work research projects after reviewing their proposals, including one led by the University of Eastern Finland. The project, titled “Feedback-informed work in child welfare open care – effectiveness and cost-effectiveness research,” would have been headed by Associate Professor Siiri-Liisi Kraav.

Rissanen described the university’s decision to appeal as highly unusual, citing procedural concerns over how the funding decision was prepared and its deviation from scientific evaluations.

She emphasized that the funding decision was directed at the university, not an individual researcher, which is why the appeal is being made institutionally rather than on behalf of a single academic.

The case was first reported by Savon Sanomat.