The Finnish government has officially launched a high-stakes national initiative to siphon hundreds of deep tech engineers and researchers from the United States. Branded under the “Work in Finland” campaign, the program is a direct challenge to the U.S. tech sector, offering American professionals a “superposition” where world-class research in Quantum, AI, and Health Tech coexists with the world’s highest-ranked quality of life.
The €50 Million Recruitment War: Profi 9
At the heart of this “talent raid” is a massive €50 million investment through the Research Council of Finland’s Profi 9program.
- The Funding: Earmarked for 2026–2030, this capital is specifically designed to fund the recruitment of international “top experts” (career stages 3–4) at Finnish universities.
- The Goal: Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen noted the aim is to solidify Finland’s goal of raising RDI spending to 4% of GDP by 2030.
The “Fast Track” Weapon: Visas in 14 Days
Finland is outmaneuvering traditional tech hubs like the U.S. and UK by removing the bureaucratic “H-1B nightmare.”
- 14-Day Processing: Under the Fast Track program, specialists and researchers receive residence permit decisions in as little as two weeks.
- Specialist Requirements: For 2026, the threshold for “specialist” status includes a higher education degree and a minimum gross salary of €3,937 per month.
- Family Support: The scheme allows spouses and children to apply in parallel, with approvals guaranteed within the same ultra-fast window.
Why It Matters for the Global Tech Landscape
This initiative connects over 30 power players—including the VTT Technical Research Centre, Aalto University, and the Quantum Flagship—to a global talent pool.
- Quantum and AI Leadership: By recruiting U.S.-based professionals, Finland is strengthening its position as Europe’s leader in quantum computing, leveraging infrastructure like the LUMI supercomputer.
- Addressing Burnout: The campaign explicitly targets “disillusioned” American professionals, pivoting from high-pay Silicon Valley culture to a 37-hour work week and universal social security.
- EU Network Integration: Recruits gain immediate access to major European Innovation Council initiatives, effectively serving as a gateway to the entire EU research ecosystem.
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