Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation awards €15.4 million of grants – JYU’s largest sum is for brain health research

This year, the Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation distributed a record €16.1 million in grants, awards and other support for science (63%), art (18%) and social activities (19%). This year, 344 individuals or groups and 116 communities were awarded grants. The University of Jyväskylä had 20 grant recipients and the total amount of these grants was €570 500.

A grant of €100 000 was awarded to Eero Haapala, Senior Lecturer, and his team. The project "Exploring the Role of Life´s Essentials in Brain Health from Childhood to Adulthood" will generate new knowledge on the factors that support brain health in children and adolescents. It will also explore how early lifestyle intervention can support brain health from childhood to early adulthood. The results will provide valuable information for practical interventions and health policy, supporting learning and brain health for children and young people in Finland.

"Heart health goes hand in hand with brain health. Heart health influences brain health through biological, psychosocial and lifestyle factors. We will now be able to study the role of factors such as high blood pressure or cholesterol, and lifestyle factors such as exercise and nutrition, in the development of brain health in children and adolescents," says Eero Haapala.

Grants can be used to carry out research and artistic work in various disciplines, to launch projects or organise events, etc. Grants are also awarded for doctoral theses, post-doctoral research or artistic work. At the University of Jyväskylä, 18 researchers were awarded full-time grants for both doctoral and postdoctoral research, and two organisations were awarded grants to cover the costs of organising events.

Congratulations to all grant recipients!