At its meeting held on November 24, 2025, the Board of Directors of Raisio plc Research Foundation (Foundation) has decided to award a total of EUR 113 250 in extension post graduate research grants for the year 2026.

The research grant of the Research Foundation is intended as a working grant for a doctoral researcher. A doctoral researcher whose PhD topic has been awarded with a research grant of the Foundation can receive a working grant for a maximum of four years, provided that the doctoral studies proceed according to plans. The maximal duration of a dissertation supported by grants of the Foundation is four years. The date of obtaining the right to pursue doctoral studies from the university marks the start of the four-year period. Extension postgraduate grants are decided annually based on a separate application.

Based on the grant application process held in October 2025, 4 grant applications were submitted within the deadline to the Foundation. The total amount of funding requested was EUR 121 000.

The Foundation is currently developing its operations, and for this reason the Board has decided not to accept new doctoral research projects into its funding programme for the time being.

The grants awarded for 2026 based on the four-year rule:

Nazia Deoghare, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki)

PhD research title: From Grain to Glass and Plate: Modifying Legumes for utilization in Brewing and Food Systems.
The objective of the research of the dissertation is to investigate the potential use of legumes as an alternative to barely in the brewing process. The research also aims to develop a minimal processing method to make legumes clean tasting with improved technical properties and better digestibility. This could lead to new types of nutritious beverages and foods with reduced environmental impact.

Sara Ferreira Rocha, Food Sciences, Department of life technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku.

PhD research title: Metabolomics investigation of gut microbiota-mediated metabolite conversion of plant-based foods and spatial analysis in intestinal and brain tissues.
The research aims to study whether products formed during microbial fermentation can be absorbed to be detected in the intestinal and eventually in the brain tissue, using a state-of-the-art untargeted LC-MS method and combining in-vitro fermentation studies with data from a pig feeding trial.

Helle Grönfors, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

Title of the doctoral thesis: Unlocking the technological potential of oats through understanding macromolecular interactions for improved food structure.
This research aims to study the structure-function relationship of oat macromolecules, focusing on the factors that lead to optimal food structures. Oat bread and extruded meat analogs will be used as model foods for this study. Additionally, this research aims to understand how the food structure influences digestibility.

Petri Lassila, Department of Physics, Electronics Research Laboratory, University of Helsinki

Title of the PhD work: Development of Spatially Confined Multiphasic Oleogels
The dissertation aims to develop novel solid fats, for the sustainable development of our society. In the work, a technology utilizing ultrasonic standing waves will be used to generate tailorable micrometer level structures in semi-solid lipids.

At its meeting held on November 25, 2024, the Board of Directors of Raisio plc Research Foundation has decided to award a total of EUR 152 500 in post graduate research grants for 2025. The research grant of the Research Foundation is intended as a working grant for a doctoral researcher.

A doctoral researcher whose PhD topic has been awarded with a research grant of the Foundation has the opportunity to receive a working grant for a maximum of four years, provided that the doctoral studies proceed according to plans. The maximal duration of a dissertation supported by grants of the Foundation is four years. The date of obtaining the right to pursue doctoral studies from the university marks the start of the four year period. Extension postgraduate grants are decided annually on the basis of a separate application.

Based on the grant application process held in October 2024, 18 new grant applications and six extension grant applications were submitted within the deadline to the Foundation. The total amount of funding requested was EUR 595 250.

The grants awarded for 2025 are as follows:

Nazia Deoghare, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki)

PhD research title: Application of legumes for the development of zero-waste, carbon-neutral solutions for the brewing Industry.

The objective of the research of the dissertation is to investigate the potential use of legumes as an alternative to barely in the brewing process. This could lead to new types of nutritious beverages with reduced environmental impact.

Sara Ferreira Rocha, Food Sciences, Department of life technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku.

PhD research title: Metabolomics investigation of gut microbiota-mediated metabolite conversion of plant-based foods and spatial analysis in intestinal and brain tissues.

The research aims to study whether products formed during microbial fermentation can be absorbed to be detected in the intestinal and eventually in the brain tissue, using a state-of-the-art untargeted LC-MS method and combining in-vitro fermentation studies with data from a pig feeding trial.

Helle Grönfors, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

Title of the doctoral thesis: Unlocking the technological potential of oats through understanding macromolecular interactions for improved food structure.

This research aims to study the structure-function relationship of oat macromolecules, focusing on the factors that lead to optimal food structures. Oat bread and extruded meat analogs will be used as model foods for this study. Additionally, this research aims to understand how the food structure influences digestibility.

Petri Lassila, Department of Physics, Electronics Research Laboratory, University of Helsinki

Title of the PhD work: Development of Spatially Confined Multiphasic Oleogels

The dissertation aims to develop novel solid fats, for the sustainable development of our society. In the work, a technology utilizing ultrasonic standing waves will be used to generate tailorable micrometer level structures in semi-solid lipids.

Enni Mannila, Food Sciences, Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku

Title of the PhD work: Oats in a low-gluten diet – metabolic and microbiomic responses in metabolically challenges volunteers.

The PhD work studies effects of long-term oat consumption on blood count and metabolic products in the blood circulation, perceived gut well-being, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, and inflammation markers.

Anton Örn, Laboratory for Molecular Science and Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University

Dissertation title: Synthesis of rare sugars through site-selective epimerization

The thesis work aims to develop a cost-effective production method for rare sugars that is based on the site-selective catalytic epimerization of readily available sugars. The goal can be achieved by studying the materials and mechanisms of the required multiphase catalytic systems in detail.

2025 scholarships

In 2025 Raisio plc Research Foundation granted seven scholarships for master’s theses. The value of one scholarship is €500

University of Eastern Finland

Kerttu Tukiainen: Protein quality and climate impact of home-cooked meals with different protein sources

Immi Kovanen: Including nutrition in the life cycle assessment of milk and plant-based drinks

University of Turku

Iida Valta: Behavior of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ethyl esters in INFOGEST simulated digestion model

Dilakshi Naotunna Palliya Guruge: Analysis of enantiomers and regioisomers of triacylglycerols using supercritical fluid chromatography

University of Helsinki

Maiju Kemppainen: Effect of part-time pasture and paddock access on dairy cows’ social behaviour and motivation

Satu Hult: Fungal storage pathogens of American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and the effect of cultivar and high tunnel cultivation on keeping and storage quality of the berry

Emmi Lamminaho: Characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Pediococcus acidilactici and Periweissella beninensis

At its meeting held on November 24, 2023, the Board of Directors of Raisio plc’s Research Foundation decided to award a total of EUR 172 083 in post graduate research grants for the year 2024. Taking into account possible other research grants and possible doctoral researcher positions under an employment contract at universities, the Research Foundation will distribute EUR 135 210 to six PhD student in 2024.

The grant of the Research Foundation are intended as a working grant for a doctoral researcher. A doctoral researcher whose PhD topic is once awarded with a research grant of the Foundation has the opportunity to receive a working grant for a maximum of four years, provided that the studies proceed according to plans. The overall duration of dissertations supported by grants of the Foundation is four years.

Continued postgraduate grants are decided annually on the basis of a separate application.

Based on the public grant application process held in October 2023, 16 new grant applications and five continued grant application were submitted to the Foundation within the deadline. The total amount of funding requested was EUR 478 433.

Raisio plc’s Research Foundation supports scientific research related to the development of foods, food ingredients and their production methods.​ The Research Foundation also supports research related to safety of food products and commercialization of food products.​

In recent years, the Foundation has executed its activity by awarding personal salary grants for postgraduate studies aiming at a doctoral degree. In addition, awards recognition scholarships to well executed master’s theses.

The grants awarded for 2024 are as follows:

Nazia Deoghare, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki)

PhD research title: Application of legumes for the development of zero-waste, carbon-neutral solutions for the brewing Industry.

The objective of the research of the dissertation is to investigate the potential use of legumes as an alternative to barely in the brewing process. This could lead to new types of nutritious beverages with reduced environmental impact.

Katja Kantanen, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

Dissertation title: Reduction of oligosaccharides from meat analogues utilizing fermentation, germination and enzymatic treatment

The dissertation focuses on the effects of fermentation, germination and enzymatic treatment of faba bean on high moisture extrusion and on the content of oligosaccharides like raffinose, stachyose and verbascose and on the structure, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of meat analogues.

Sini Kuosmanen, Department of Food and Nutrition and Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

PhD research title: Plant-based diets and pulse consumption – Exploring advancing sustainable diets through Capability, Opportunity, Motivation, Behaviour (COM-B) model.

The dissertation deals with the transition towards more plant-based and sustainable diets specifically from the consumer perspective with a special focus on adding legumes, especially domestical faba beans and pea, into diets to partially replace animal proteins. The objective is to find out how plant-based eating and increasing legume consumption could be advanced both on societal and individual levels.

Petri Lassila, Department of Physics, Electronics Research Laboratory, University of Helsinki

The dissertation aims to develop novel solid fats, for the sustainable development of our society. In the work, a technology utilizing ultrasonic standing waves will be used to generate tailorable micrometer level structures in semi -solid lipids.

Anna Puganen, Food Sciences, Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku

PhD research title: Connecting the lipid content and composition to the volatiles and perceived sensory quality in oat samples

The aim of the PhD research is to determine the lipid profiles of different oat lots representing different Finnish oat cultivars and to study the relationship between lipids, volatile compounds and perceived flavour as such and after storage. The goal of this research is to enhance the versatile use of Finnish oat cultivars in food products.

Anton Örn, Laboratory for Molecular Research and Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University

Dissertation title: Synthesis of rare sugars through site-selective epimerization

The thesis work aims to develop a cost effective production method for psicose that is based on the site-selective catalytic epimerization of fructose. The goal can be achieved by studying the materials and mechanisms of the required multiphase catalytic systems in detail.

2024 scholarships

In 2024 Raisio plc Research Foundation has granted seven scholarships for master’s theses. The value of one scholarship is €500.

University of Eastern Finland

Vilma Liikonen: Whole grains, tryptophan metabolism, and psychological distress

Anni Kuosmanen: The effect of oat bran on perceived satiety and physiological responses

University of Turku

Carla Vecenâncio da Silva: Sensory characteristics and phenolic profile of the first-generation interspecific hybrid strawberries

Zeynep Özturk: Functional screening of beneficial strains and consortia to maximize healthy fermentation potential

University of Helsinki

Katri Mäyrä: Body weight changes of a dairy cow and their relationship to milk production, rumination and metabolism

Tuuli Markkanen: Development of sustainable practices for using lake sediment as growing medium for grass production

Enni Ala-Kurikka: Effect of fermentation on sorghum phenolic compounds

2023 postgraduate research grants

At its meeting held on November 28, 2022, the Board of Directors of Raisio plc’s Research Foundation has decided to award a total of EUR 112,000 in post graduate research grants for 2023. The grants are intended as a working grant for a doctoral student. A doctoral student whose PhD topic is once awarded with a research grant of the Foundation has the opportunity to receive a working grant for a maximum of four years, provided that the studies proceed according to plans. Continued postgraduate grants are decided annually on the basis of a separate application.

Based on the public grant application process held in October 2022, 12  new grant applications and one continued grant application were submitted to the Foundation within the deadline. The total amount of funding requested was € 273 333 €.

The grants for 2023 were distributed as follows:

New grants

Anna Puganen, Food Sciences, Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku

PhD research title: Connecting the lipid content and composition to the volatiles and perceived sensory quality in oat samples

The aim of the PhD research is to determine the lipid profiles of different oat lots representing different Finnish oat cultivars and to study the relationship between lipids, volatile compounds and perceived flavour as such and after storage. The goal of this research is to enhance the versatile use of Finnish oat cultivars in food products.

Sini Kuosmanen, Department of Food and Nutrition and Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

PhD research title: Plant-based diets, legume consumption and the practices of eating – a practice-theoretical approach to advancing sustainable diets.

The dissertation deals with the transition towards more plant-based and sustainable diets specifically from the consumer perspective with a special focus on adding legumes, especially domestical faba beans and pea, into diets to partially replace animal proteins. The objective is to find out how plant-based eating and increasing legume consumption could be advanced both on societal and individual levels.

Nazia Deoghare, VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, (Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki)

PhD research title: Application of legumes for the development of zero-waste, carbon-neutral solutions for the brewing Industry.

The objective of the research of the dissertation is to investigate the potential use of legumes as an alternative to barely in the brewing process. This could lead to new types of nutritious beverages with reduced environmental impact.

Continued grants:

Anton Örn, Laboratory for Molecular Research and Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University

Dissertation title: Synthesis of rare sugars through site-selective epimerization

The thesis work aims to develop a cost effective production method for psicose that is based on the site-selective catalytic epimerization of fructose. The goal can be achieved by studying the materials and mechanisms of the required multiphase catalytic systems in detail.

2023 scholarships

In 2023 Raisio plc Research Foundation has granted seven scholarships for master’s theses. The value of one scholarship is €500.

University of Eastern Finland

Moona Partanen, master’s theses: Comparison of the sensory properties and odour-active compounds of commercial fish proteins.

Katarina Sulkula, master’s theses: Effects of high-pressure processing on the in vitro protein digestibility and sensorial properties of hot and cold-smoked rainbow trout

University of Turku

Telma Kuuslampi, master’s theses: The impact of ripeness of an apple to the infectivity and pathogenicity of the Colletotrichum micro fungi during the storage

Pihla Pyykkönen, master’s theses: Metabolomics of Baltic Sea bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus) with 1H NMR spectroscopy

University of Helsinki

Elina Kovasin, master’s theses: Optimization of process hygiene in a beverage factory

Maiju Pajula, master’s theses: Body weight changes of dairy cow and their relationship to health problems during successive lactation

Annika Söderholm-Emas, master’s theses:  Modelling the effect of adding grain legumes to Finnish crop rotations

2022 post graduate research grants

At its meeting held on November 29, 2021, the Board of Directors of Raisio plc’s Research Foundation has decided to award a total of EUR 82,800 in post graduate research grants for 2022. The grants are intended as a working grant for a doctoral student. A doctoral student whose PhD topic is once awarded with a research grant of the Foundation has the opportunity to receive a working grant for a maximum of four years, provided that the studies proceed according to plans. Continued postgraduate grants are decided annually on the basis of a separate application.

Based on the public grant application process held in October 2021, 13 grant applications were submitted to the Foundation within the deadline. The total amount of funding requested was € 276,668.

The grants for 2022 were distributed as follows:

Katja Kantanen, Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki

Dissertation title: Reduction of oligosaccharides from meat analogues utilizing fermentation, germination and enzymatic treatment

The dissertation focuses on the effects of fermentation, germination and enzymatic treatment of faba bean on high moisture extrusion and on the content of oligosaccharides like raffinose, stachyose and verbascose and on the structure, physico-chemical and sensorial properties of meat analogues.

Anton Örn, Laboratory for Molecular Research and Technology, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University

Dissertation title: Synthesis of rare sugars through site-selective epimerization

The thesis work aims to develop a cost effective production method for psicose that is based on the site-selective catalytic epimerization of fructose. The goal can be achieved by studying the materials and mechanisms of the required multiphase catalytic systems in detail.

Enni Mannila, Food Chemistry and Food Development, Department of Life Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku

Title of the PhD work: Oats in a gluten-deficient diet – metabolic, microbiomic and postprandial responses in metabolically challenges volunteers.

The PhD work studies effects of long-term oat consumption on blood count and metabolic products in blood circulation, perceived gut well-being, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids, plasma antioxidative capacity, inflammation markers and changes in postprandial responses.

Scholarships in 2022

In 2022 the Board of Directors of the Foundation has granted seven scholarships for master’s theses. The value of one scholarship is €500.

University of Eastern Finland

Tella Jokinen, master’s theses: Elintarvikkeiden säilyvyys: Sinisen valon vaikutus hiivojen ja homeiden kasvuun kinkkuvoileipäkakun pinnalla

Mikael Smolander, master’s theses: Höyryllä ja kuumalla kiertoilmalla kypsennyksen vaikutus kanatuotteiden kypsennyshävikkiin, aistinvaraisiin ominaisuuksiin ja säilyvyyteen

University of Turku

Iida Ikonen, master’s theses: Reducing antinutrients in faba bean (Vicia Faba) with lactic acid fermentation

Master’s theses: Inhibition of starch retrogradation by soluble soybean polysaccharides with different molecular weights and degrees of esterification

University of Helsinki

Annika Johansson, master’s theses: Validation of selection tools for leaf blotch resistance in Finnish spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding program

Olli Pitkänen, master’s theses: Prosessoitu härkäpapu rypsin korvaajana lypsylehmien ruokinnassa ja pötsisuojattu metioniini sen täydentäjänä

Fabio Tuccillo, master’s theses: Characterization of the volatile profile of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) protein concentrate, isolate, and flour before and after high moisture extrusion

Name of the register: Register of applicants and scholarship receivers and applications to Raisio Oy Tutkimussäätiö/Raisio plc Research Foundation’s grant fund

Controller

Raisio Oyj:n Tutkimussäätiö sr / Raisio plc Research Foundation (Business ID 0138294-4)
Mailing address: c/o Raisio Oyj, PO Box 101, FI-21201 RAISIO, Finland
Visiting address: Raisionkaari 55, 21200 Raisio, Finland
Telephone +358 2 443 2111
E-mail: tutkimussaatio(at)raisio.com

Contact person in matters regarding the register

Eva Jaakkola
Address: Raisio plc, PO Box 101 (Raisionkaari 55), FI-21201 Raisio, Finland
Tel. +358 2 443 2110
E-mail: tutkimussaatio(at)raisio.com

Purpose and legal basis for processing personal data

Grant applications, grant and scholarship receivers form a register according to Data Protection legislation. The personal data will be used for processing the applications for grants and for the awarded grants and scholarships. In case the applicant does not provide the requested personal data, the data controller in unable to accept or process the applications.

Categories of personal data and content of the register

The register contains the following personal data:

• Basic data about the applicant, such as first name, surname, address, e-mail address, telephone number and degree;
• Basic data about the scholarship receiver, such as first name and surname
• Information about how the application has been processed and its status;
• Information in connection with awarding the grant/scholarship (bank account data, personal ID, amount of the grant/scholarship).

Personal ID is requested to ascertain the legal rights of the applicant and the Foundation. The Foundation is also legally responsible for informing the personal ID’s of the persons who have been awarded grants to the Finnish Tax Administration as part of the annual notice about awarded grants, as well as to the Farmess’ Social Insurance Institution (MELA) in order to arrange the obligatory MYEL insurance in case the criteria for such an insurance are met.

The grant applicant gives consent to the publication of his or her name on Raisio plc’s Research Foundation’s website and in the communication channels used by Raisio plc (e.g. television, radio, press articles, newsletters and news, social media channels) if the grant is awarded. On a separate form, the scholarship recipient gives consent to the publication of his or her name on Raisio plc’s Research Foundation’s website and in the communication channels described above used by the Foundation or Raisio plc.

The use of a possible electronic form also stores technical user data that is not stored in connection with personal data.

Sources of information

Personal data is received from the applicant or his/her representative. Information about processing the application and its status are provided by the Raisio plc’s personnel involved in the process.

Transfer or disclosure of personal data

Data may be disclosed to Raisio plc under the data prcocessing agreement in place between Raisio plc and the Foundation. The data controller is obliged by law to disclose the data about the awarded grants and the personal ID’s of the grant receivers to the Finnish Tax Administration and to the Farmess’ Social Insurance Institution (MELA) in order to arrange the obligatory MYEL insurance in case the criteria for such an insurance are met.

The data conroller informs the awarded grants to all grant receivers. Apart from this, personal data may only be disclosed based on the data subject’s consent or, if the receiving party is otherwise entited under law to receive the personal data.

The information is not transferred or disclosed outside the EU or European Economic Area (EEA).

Storage period of personal data

Personal data is retained for the duration of the project for which the grant was awarded and until the data controller does not require the data to review its operations and assess of its performance.

Information on the recipients of grants/scholarships awarded can be seen on the Foundation’s website and on any social media pages, for three years after the grant/scholarship has been awarded and in the case of the grant recipient until the doctoral degree has been completed.

Copies of applications for grants awarded shall be kept for a maximum period of 10 years.

Data from other applications are stored for one (1) week after the Foundation has processed the applications.

At the end of the retention period, the controller will dispose of the data about the subject securely.

The names of applicants with degree values, grants awarded or negative decisions will remain part of the Foundation’s Board minutes for an indefinate period. This information is not public and will not be disclosed to third parties unless otherwise provided by law or official order.

Principles for the protection of personal data

Personal data is stored in systems that can only be accessed by the employees with the right to process the data based on their work duties are entitled to use the personal data. All persons processing the data are bound by confidentiality.

Manual material is kept in a locked space protected by access control system. The data in electronic form is protected by user firewalls, passwords and other technical means. Databases and their backups are stored in a locked space and may be accessed only by named individuals.

Data subject’s rights

The data subject’s rights under the applicable personal data legislation are:

• The right to know what data of him/her has been stored in the register and the right ask for inaccurate data to be rectified and modified;
• The right to request restriction of the use
• The right to object the processing of his/her personal data or to require the data to be transferred to another controller in a structured, commonly used and machine-readable format;
• The right to request for the removal of the personal data;
• The right to withdraw his/her consent to the extent the personal data are processed based on his/her consent. However, the withdrawal of consent has no effect on the lawfulness of processing occurred before the reception of withdrawal.

All requests concerning the verification etc. should be sent in writing to the person responsible for the register. The data subject must prove his/her identity in an acceptable way. The controller will reply in writing within a time frame of the personal data legislation (as a rule, within one month), even if the data subject’s claim is not accepted.

The data subject has the right to file a complaint with the supervisory authority if the data subject considers that his/her information has not been processed in accordance with this Privacy Statement or with current personal data regulations: Office of the Data Protection Ombudsman, P.O. Box 800, 00521 FI-Helsinki, Finland; tel: +358 29 56 66700; tietosuoja(at)om.fi.

Changes

The data controller reserves the right to change this Privacy Statement in order to develop its business operations or in case the legislation changes.

Privacy statement updated on September 28, 2021