CFAs: Discretionary Government Grants for Scientific Research on Gambling-Related Harms (Finland)

Deadline: 19-Oct-2026

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare is offering approximately EUR 1.2 million in project grants for scientific research that supports the prevention and reduction of gambling and digital gaming harms. Funding for the 2027–2028 cycle will be distributed among approximately two to five projects led by eligible research or non-profit organizations, with no self-financing contribution required.

About the THL Project Grants

The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, commonly known as THL, administers discretionary government grants for research addressing gambling-related and digital gaming harms. The funding forms part of Finland’s national gambling policy program and supports research connected to recent reforms in the country’s gambling system. Projects should produce scientifically credible and practically useful evidence that can inform policy, regulation, prevention, harm-reduction services, and future research. Purpose of the Funding The grant program supports research that improves understanding of gambling and digital gaming harms and identifies effective ways to prevent or reduce them.

Its objectives include:

- Producing high-quality scientific research - Improving understanding of gambling-related harms - Examining harms connected to digital gaming - Generating evidence relevant to public policy - Supporting the development of prevention and harm-reduction measures - Providing knowledge relevant to Finland and other European Union countries - Examining the effects of gambling-system reforms - Strengthening evidence-based regulation and services - Supporting practical application of research results Priority Research Themes Every proposal must address at least one thematic priority identified in the grant call.

The stated areas of interest include:

- Unregulated and illegal gambling - Gambling marketing - Channeling gambling participation into regulated systems - Prevention of gambling-related harms - Reduction of digital gaming harms - Effects of gambling-system reforms - Research with practical relevance to Finland and other EU countries Applicants should identify the primary theme addressed and clearly explain how the proposed research contributes to it. Unregulated and Illegal Gambling Research may examine gambling activities operating outside authorized or regulated systems.

Relevant questions may include:

- Patterns of participation in unregulated gambling - Characteristics of people using illegal gambling services - Factors influencing the choice of unregulated platforms - Consumer protection risks - Links between unregulated gambling and harmful behavior - Effectiveness of regulatory interventions - Cross-border online gambling - Financial, social, and health consequences - Methods for monitoring illegal gambling markets Projects should distinguish clearly between regulated, unregulated, and illegal gambling within the relevant legal and policy context. Gambling Marketing Research may investigate how gambling advertising and marketing influence attitudes, participation, and harm.

Potential topics include:

- Exposure to gambling advertising - Marketing through digital and social media - Sponsorship and brand visibility - Marketing targeting or reaching vulnerable groups - Effects on children and young people - Personalized or data-driven advertising - Influencer marketing - Consumer understanding of gambling risks - Effectiveness of marketing restrictions - Relationship between advertising exposure and harmful gambling Research should produce evidence that can support practical policy or regulatory decisions. Channeling into Regulated Gambling Systems Channeling refers to encouraging gambling activity to take place through regulated providers rather than unregulated or illegal services.

Relevant research may examine:

- Factors affecting consumer choice - Effectiveness of channeling policies - Relationship between channeling and harm prevention - Attractiveness of regulated and unregulated platforms - Consumer protection within regulated systems - Effects of taxation, advertising, or product design - Regulatory trade-offs - International comparisons - Indicators for measuring channeling rates Projects should consider both regulatory objectives and potential public-health consequences. Digital Gaming Harms Research may also address harms associated with digital gaming.

Relevant areas may include:

- Problematic gaming behavior - Mental and physical health effects - Social and educational consequences - Financial harms linked to gaming - In-game purchasing - Loot boxes or gambling-like mechanics - Risk and protective factors - Prevention and early intervention - Vulnerable population groups - Links between gaming and gambling behavior - Effective support and treatment approaches Applicants should clearly define digital gaming harms and explain how they will be identified or measured. Funding Information The maximum total amount available for the 2027–2028 grant cycle is approximately: - EUR 1.2 million - Approximately $1,296,000 The funding is expected to support approximately two to five research projects. The final amount provided to each project will depend on the approved research plan, budget, project duration, and overall funding allocation. Project Duration Projects are typically expected to run for approximately two years. Applicants should prepare a realistic schedule covering: - Research preparation - Ethical or administrative approvals - Data collection - Data management - Analysis - Publication - Dissemination - Practical use of findings - Final reporting The project schedule should align with the 2027–2028 grant cycle and any dates specified in the official call. No Self-Financing Requirement Recipients are not required to provide a self-financing contribution. This means eligible projects may request grant support without committing a mandatory percentage of funding from their own resources. Applicants must still submit a reasonable