AI use rising in funding applications prompts mixed reactions from researchers in Finland

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in grant and funding applications is increasing. With significant amounts of research funding circulating, leveraging new technology can provide applicants a competitive edge. Ville Pietiläinen, a senior lecturer at the University of Lapland studying digitalization, notes that funding organizations have varying guidelines regarding the use of AI. “I know cases where grant applications have been rejected simply because AI was identified as being used,” Pietiläinen says.

Funding applications can be extensive, often spanning dozens of pages and requiring considerable effort. For instance, the Finnish Academy’s application sections include general descriptions, abstracts, research plans, lists of key publications, partner organizations, and societal impact assessments.

The Finnish Academy allocates research funding to cover the salaries and research costs of researchers and research teams. While some companies have reported using AI in their funding applications, Kalle Korhonen, director of science and arts funding at the Kone Foundation, suggests some researchers may use AI to enhance text clarity. There are indications of broader usage; one reviewer last year noticed applicants using AI to describe their project’s impact, despite there being no requirement for such descriptions.

Producing application text “from scratch” using AI remains problematic. The Finnish Academy stated that using AI applications in funding applications is not prohibited. If fraud related to AI is suspected, it is handled like any other fraud concern, emphasizing peer review.

Kalle Korhonen maintains that while AI provides a solid starting point for applications, it lacks the researcher’s unique perspective and innovative insights crucial for compelling proposals. Additionally, concerns about data privacy and transparency surrounding AI training data persist, prompting restrictions on its use during evaluations. In 2022, the Finnish Academy awarded €511 million in funding, while Business Finland provided €726 million, highlighting the stakes involved.