Topics for targeted research funding 2026 

1: How customers are impacted by the reform of the digital information systems used in the administration of social security

The digital data management systems used in the healthcare and social security sectors aim to centralise data and modernise benefit administration processes. These systems are implemented to achieve a more streamlined and efficient benefit administration process, to engage in knowledge-based management and to comply with national digital strategies and legislation. For example, Kela is currently implementing its strategic development programme Eepos whereby Kela seeks to modernise and digitalise the operating models, processes and systems it uses in benefit administration. The digital transformation of society is a broad and multidimensional phenomenon. It is especially important to gather data on how reforming benefit administration affects customers who apply for social security benefits.

Kela intends to commission a literature review that looks at both domestic and international research literature on the impacts of digital information system reforms and the use of AI on customers especially from the perspective of health insurance. Preference is given to research proposals that also encompass rehabilitation benefits.

Estimated maximum budget of EUR 100,000. 

2: Correlation between past periods of non-employment and current income among persons who qualify for old-age pension

Periods of inability to work, unemployment and family leave and other unpaid periods during the working years interrupt and shorten careers and impact the accrual of earnings-related pension, affecting one’s income in the later stages of life. However, pensions are not the only source of income for pensioners. They can also have other types of income and receive various benefits, such as capital income, care allowances, housing allowances and social assistance, in addition to benefiting from the income and benefits of other members of the same household. Kela intends to commission an empirical study that uses individual-level register data to study how periods of non-employment during their working years correlate with different income structures and income streams among pensioners. 

The study should address at least the following questions: 

 

• How does the rate of occurrence of periods of inability to work (i.e. periods of sickness allowance, rehabilitation allowance, rehabilitation subsidy and disability pension), unemployment, family leave and study and other unpaid periods during their working years affect the income structure of persons who qualify for old-age pension? 
• What kinds of differences can be observed between population groups in terms of the impact that periods of non-employment have had on their income structure? The study must provide categorised data based on e.g. gender and type of household.  
• The study may also produce data on various career and benefit paths and examine how they correlate with income structures among persons who qualify for old-age pension. 

Estimated maximum budget of EUR 200,000. 

3: A comparative international study on the scopes of medicine reimbursement schemes, differences in the range of covered medicines and patient co-payments

The structure and scope of medicine reimbursement schemes vary to a significant degree between different countries. Differences can be observed e.g. in the grounds on which medicines are included in each reimbursement scheme, the range of medicines covered by the schemes and how patient co-payments are determined. A comparative international study will provide valuable data on the differences between these schemes and how they impact the robustness of the range of covered medicines, cost effectiveness and equality.

The goal of the project is to produce a comprehensive analysis of the structures and scopes of medicine reimbursement schemes in different countries, to determine how medicines are selected for inclusion in the schemes and how the ranges of covered medicines differ. The study will also examine how patient co-payments are determined and which factors affect their determination.

The study will be carried out by conducting a comparison of the reimbursement schemes established in different countries and by using statistical and qualitative analysis methods to identify structural differences and their underlying factors. The results of the study will provide more insight into the scopes of different reimbursement schemes, the differences in the ranges of covered medicines and the financial burden placed on patients. The results will also be used in decision-making and development work.

The study should address at least the following questions: 

• How do medicine reimbursement schemes differ between various countries and what factors have led to these differences?
• How is the range of covered medicines determined for each scheme and how do the ranges differ?
• How are patient co-payments determined for each scheme?

Estimated maximum budget of EUR 150,000.

4: A comparative international study on the funding of costs related to sickness absences and sickness allowances and compensation scheme-related incentives

In Finland, income loss during sickness absences is compensated with sick pay paid by employers and, in the case of longer absences, with sickness allowance paid by Kela. Sickness allowance is funded through the earned income insurance component included in health insurance. Earned income insurance, on the other hand, is primarily funded by employers through their national health insurance contributions and by wage and salary earners and self-employed persons through the daily allowance component included in their health insurance contributions. The government also provides some funding for the sickness allowance scheme. Kela intends to commission a study that will produce comparative international data on how sickness absences are compensated, how each compensation scheme is funded and what scheme-related incentives exist. The study must cover Finland and other Nordic countries in addition to a suitable number of other countries.

The study must address at least the following questions: 

 

• What kinds of compensation schemes exist for sickness absences in different countries? 
• How are sick pay and other lost income compensation schemes that correspond to the sickness allowance paid in Finland funded in different countries? Which entities or parties contribute to the funding of these schemes and to which extent?
• What kinds of funding scheme-related incentives exist in each country that are intended to reduce the occurrence and duration of sickness absences and to curtail their costs? Is there any data available on the effectiveness of these incentives?

Estimated maximum budget of EUR 150,000.

5: Care pathways and treatment practices for the treatment of obesity in Finland 

Obesity is a major public health problem that is being addressed with new forms of treatment. The use of weight-loss and weight-control medicines is becoming increasingly prevalent with some medications reimbursable under national health insurance and new ones currently in development. 

The costs of treating obesity have been subject to public debate and research. However, little data exist on how the processes that are employed in the treatment of obesity in Finland actually work in real life and to what extent patients benefit from their treatment. The generation of this kind of data requires research on treatment processes and the effectiveness of treatment. 

Kela intends to commission a survey and/or interview study to examine what kinds of treatment processes and care pathways have been developed in Finland and where and by whom they are used. The data obtained through the study can be used in the development of services and national health insurance. As of this date, some data on the regional practices employed in the treatment of obesity are available from different sources, but no aggregate data exist that would help create an overall understanding of these practices. 

The study should address at least the following questions: 

• What kinds of care pathways and treatment processes are used by wellbeing services counties and private service providers in different parts of Finland to treat obesity and help patients manage their weight?
• How and to which extent are patients also encouraged to make lifestyle changes when their obesity is treated with weight-loss medicines?  
• What role does digital and/or AI-based lifestyle coaching play in care pathways used in the treatment of obesity?
• What factors may potentially prevent or limit the adoption of good practices for wider use?

Estimated maximum budget of EUR 150,000.