Projects

Project-based work is at the heart of our university’s RDI activities. On average, there are about 80 ongoing projects, ranging from short preliminary studies to comprehensive long-term projects.

Projects are primarily funded by external sources, with the most significant funding coming from the European Union. Additionally, national funding is obtained from ministries, Business Finland, and various funds. Annually, the volume of our RDI activities exceeds €7 million.

Projects are conducted in collaboration with companies, municipalities, research institutes, and other organizations. This collaboration generates solutions and innovations that shape the future.

Explore Our Projects

Ongoing Ended

4Q TP1: Digitalisoituva työympäristö ja tietojohtaminen

Project Shorthand

4Q TP1

Financing

Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö (sis. sivukulut)Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön tekstilogo

Start Date

01.01.2025

End Date

31.12.2028

Project manager

Lippojoki Miika

4Q TP2: Opintopolut ja koulutusyhteistyö

Project Shorthand

4Q TP2

Financing

Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö (sis. sivukulut)Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön tekstilogo

Start Date

01.01.2025

End Date

31.12.2028

Project manager

Saari Mikko

4Q TP3: Kansainvälisyyden edistäminen

Project Shorthand

4Q TP3

Financing

Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö (sis. sivukulut)Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön tekstilogo

Start Date

01.01.2025

End Date

31.12.2028

Project manager

Silvén Pekka

4Q TP4: Vaikuttavat korkeakoulut

Project Shorthand

4Q TP4

Financing

Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö (sis. sivukulut)Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön tekstilogo

Start Date

01.01.2025

End Date

31.12.2028

Project manager

Keränen Mikko

4Q TP5: Muut

Project Shorthand

4Q TP5

Financing

Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriö (sis. sivukulut)Opetus- ja kulttuuriministeriön tekstilogo

Start Date

01.01.2025

End Date

31.12.2028

Project manager

Postari-Kivistö Tuija

Accelerating investments of Vuokatti ski resort

Project Shorthand

VII-hanke

Financing

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Start Date

01.04.2024

End Date

31.12.2025

Budget

447 085

Project manager

Korhonen Pasi

Project description

The project’s aim is to enhance tourism in Vuokatti by attracting investments to the area. This will be achieved by showcasing the investment potential and opportunities to both domestic and international investors and operators. While the primary focus will be on the Eastern Ski Slopes, the broader Vuokatti ski resort area will also be considered, as comprehensive information on other developments and activities is crucial for investors.The project will implement measures to attract investments specifically to the Eastern Slopes of Vuokatti. These measures include preparing a concept plan for the Vuokatti slopes, which will consolidate the perspectives of various stakeholders on the long-term development of the area. In addition to customer-oriented business development, the plan will emphasize landscape considerations, sustainability from both environmental and local resident perspectives, and the impact of new smart technologies on the area’s activities and usage. The ski slopes and their surroundings feature summer and winter trails, hiking paths, cross-country ski trails, and other routes. As part of the overall area plan, guidelines will be established for creating attractive, functional, and safe routes.The project will also produce a detailed plan for developing coastal activities and year-round tourism in the Eastern Slopes area. This will include visual modeling to aid in presenting the area to investors. The visual modeling and other materials will serve as practical tools for showcasing Vuokatti to potential investors. The development of the Vuokatti ski slopes area is a significant advancement for tourism in the entire Kainuu region. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences is the main project partner, with the municipality of Sotkamo and VMK also participating. Funding for the project is being sought from the Kainuu Regional Council ERDF, with a total budget of €450,000. The project duration is 1.5 years, starting in April 2024.

Active Carbon Fibers

Project Shorthand

ACF

Financing

Just Transition Fund (JTF)

Start Date

01.01.2024

End Date

31.12.2025

Budget

186 929

Project manager

Loshin Aleksei

Project description

The collection of textile waste in Finland commenced in 2023; however, only a small portion of the collected material is currently being recycled. Furthermore, the predominant recycling method employed in the country is mechanical recycling, which requires preliminary sorting and transportation of these materials to the site near Helsinki. This increases overall costs and diminishes the profitability of collection and recycling. The ACF project conducts experimental research aimed at producing activated carbon from textile waste through pyrolysis—a cost-effective method that is easy to implement and does not require preliminary sorting of textile materials.

Advancing sport and exercise measurement and data expertise

Project Shorthand

CEMIS-SPORT

Financing

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)

Start Date

01.08.2025

End Date

31.07.2027

Partners

Jyväskylän yliopisto

Oulun yliopisto

Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy

Budget

126 113

Project manager

Mikkonen Pauli

Project description

The Advancing sport and exercise measurement and data expertise (CEMIS-SPORT) project is a significant step towards a winter sports testing, research, training and exercise environment in Vuokatti, where raw data will be in the hands of RDI-teams. The project investigates and develops data-based services and solutions for collecting and understanding data related to high-performance sports, sports venues, elite athletes/exercisers, and the environments they occupy.
The first work package focuses on the development of data-based services and explores new possibilities for the collection and use of exercise/sports data. We will develop indoor and outdoor positioning systems and a new equipment testing system and we will explore the possibilities of integrating the use of wearable electromyography into endurance sports measurements. We will develop an adaptable shooting test by creating replaceable grip and trigger force measurement options and adapting tools to track aiming from laboratory to field conditions. We will develop mass spectrometry analytics to analyze concentrations of cortisol and its metabolites, which can be monitored from a (workplace) wellness perspective. We will also develop cell culture tests to evaluate the absorption of nutrients in the gut as well as their possible inflammatory responses. The second work package examines solutions for collecting sports participation and sports venue/environment data. The work package includes a benchmarking session of existing methods and an investigation of the best data collection methods for the Kainuu region. We will develop methods for monitoring venue visitors, air quality, and energy consumption, aim to improve our ski testing capabilities, and investigate the benefits of “salt-free salt” for ski sports and regional operators. The third work package ensures cooperation between the main implementer and sub-implementers, as well as dissemination of information regarding the project both regionally and possibly nationally. We will also share the results in international networks and utilize them for continuous regional development.

AIKA 2 – Advancing the digital innovation hub ecosystem in Kainuu

Project Shorthand

CEMIS AIKA2

Financing

EAKR-rahoitus 2021-2027 (tuntitaksa)Euroopan unionin osarahoittama -logo

Start Date

01.02.2024

End Date

31.01.2027

Budget

982 230

Project manager

Al Natsheh Anas

Project description

The main objective of the AIKA 2 project is to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) inKainuu and the broader business network in Northern and Eastern Finland in their transition tothe digital era. The sub-objectives of the project include:• Continuing the development of the AIKA service portfolio to meet the needs of localbusinesses, with a focus on data analytics, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other currentdigitalization technologies.• Improving the adoption of technology and competitiveness in local SMEs through a “test beforeinvestment” service focused on digitalization.• Strengthening regional development by identifying similar areas and innovation clusters andbuilding international collaborations with them. Through benchmarking regional economicimpact, the project aims to share best practices and increase international networking in theKainuu region.• Implementing the AIKA Training Academy, providing regular and diverse training to theproject’s target groups on the possibilities, tools, and impacts of digitalization, along withsuccess stories and examples.• Disseminating the project’s results widely to the target groups, utilizing the project’s trainingand events, AIKA website and social media, communication channels of the implementers,traditional media, and newsletters.  The AIKA 2 project aims to comprehensively address the goals of digital transition, increased business productivity and strengthening workforce skills. The collaboration between Kajaani University of Applied Sciences and CSC will evolve, offering new opportunities for businesses, and the expertise of the implementers in data and digitalization will further strengthen. The project’s work packages will pilot artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance business productivity, seek new knowledge from abroad, and organize easily accessible training in the Kainuu region. Thus, the content of the project aligns with the diverse requirements of supporting digital transition, with a focus on the use of artificial intelligence, data analytics, and other current digitalization methods in business. Kajaani University of Applied Sciences implements the project with CSC. The project will be carried out from 2024 to 2027.

AIRA – AI-ratkaisuilla inhimillistä kestävyyttä ja tuottavuutta tietotyöhön

Project Shorthand

AIRA

Financing

ESR-rahoitus 2021-2027 (tuntitaksa)Euroopan unionin osarahoittama

Start Date

01.01.2026

End Date

31.12.2027

Budget

289 264

Project manager

Korhonen Tanja