25.06.2025
university

Council of Europe Development Bank and Nordic Investment Bank to co-finance construction of University of Tartu’s new academic and research building in Maarjavälja

Sketch of the new academic and research building in Maarjavälja.
Sketch of the new academic and research building in Maarjavälja.
Author: Tartu Ülikool

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and the University of Tartu have agreed on up to 100 million euros financing for the construction of the university’s academic and research buildings in Tartu and Tallinn, Estonia.

In addition to the construction of the building complex in Maarjavälja, also the renovation of the academic building of the Institute of Cultural Research (Ülikooli 16) and the reconstruction of the university’s academic building in Tallinn (Kaarli pst 3) will be funded by the loan.

The new premises in Maarjavälja are planned for the staff and students of the University of Tartu Institute of Technology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Institute of Pharmacy, and Institute of Bioengineering.

According to Rector of the University of Tartu Toomas Asser, the Maarjavälja complex will have world-class conditions for studies and research in robotics, computer engineering, gene technology, biomedicine, bioengineering, pharmacy and other disciplines of increasing importance to society.

“The current premises of the institutes moving to the new complex restrict our researchers’ capabilities and the development of high-level research. Bio- and medical technology companies cannot emerge without top-notch laboratories where the foundation for innovation is laid. With the new building, we are providing an opportunity for a quality leap in fields with great potential to grow research-intensive businesses and shape the future of Estonia’s state and economy,” noted Asser. He also emphasised the importance of creating an attractive learning environment for young people interested in engineering and technology fields essential for Estonia.

“The current premises of the institutes moving to the new complex restrict our researchers’ capabilities and the development of high-level research. Bio- and medical technology companies cannot emerge without top-notch laboratories where the foundation for innovation is laid. With the new building, we are providing an opportunity for a quality leap in fields with great potential to grow research-intensive businesses and shape the future of Estonia’s state and economy.”

Rektor Toomas Asser
Rektor Toomas Asser
Toomas Asser
rector of the University of Tartu

“The University of Tartu’s investments in state-of-the-art academic infrastructure will not only strengthen the country’s research and teaching capacity but also catalyse the kind of scientific progress that benefits society at large. This project, co-financed by the CEB and NIB, reflects our deep commitment to investing in people and future generations,” said CEB Governor Carlo Monticelli.

“Enhancing R&D capacity is crucial for the competitiveness of both Estonia and Europe as a whole. Investment in education infrastructure boosts innovation and collaboration, and the University of Tartu is playing a role in future growth”, said André Küüsvek, NIB President and CEO.

The Maarjavälja complex will include a study building shared between all institutes in the complex. This will make the use of lecture halls more efficient and offer entirely new opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and daily interactions between students and teaching staff who would not otherwise meet.

The complex will also include a drone hall, where students can develop their technical skills and researchers can test new technologies. Additionally, the Institute of Technology will offer training to companies to enhance their technological capabilities in using drones and robots.

The architectural solution for the Maarjavälja building complex will be based on the winning entry of the design competition, “Sudoku”. The design phase will last until the end of 2026, after which construction will begin. The building will be completed in 2029.

The renovation of the Ülikooli 16 building and the reconstruction of the Tallinn academic building of the University of Tartu (Kaarli pst 3) ensure a better working environment for staff and more than 900 students. The Ülikooli 16 building will be completed by autumn 2025, and the Tallinn building in 2027.

The Nordic Investment Bank will lend up to 40 million euros and the Council of Europe Development Bank up to 60 million euros to fund the investments. The loans will be repaid from the university’s capital budget allocated for property development. The construction of the buildings and the repayment of the loans will not affect the funding of other activities of the university.

The Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) is a multilateral development bank with an exclusively social mandate from its 43 member countries. The CEB finances investment and provides technical assistance in social sectors such as education, health and affordable housing, while focusing on the needs of vulnerable people, as well as on the social dimensions of climate change and the environment. The CEB, which has a triple-A credit rating, funds itself through international capital markets. In addition, the CEB receives funds from donors to complement its activities.

The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) is an international financial institution owned by eight member countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The bank finances private and public projects in and outside the member countries. NIB has the highest possible credit rating, AAA/Aaa, with the leading rating agencies Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s.

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