Peer-Reviewed Research Grants
Peer-reviewed research grants is an R&D financing programme of the Ministry of Science and Information Society Technologies. This programme is of general character and has no specific link to mobile technologies. Nevertheless, as it covers all scientific disciplines, mobility-related projects fall within its scope.
The grants are funded based on the research proposals, presented by small research teams or individual researchers, no matter where they are employed or what scientific degrees they hold. Applications are evaluated by one of the State Committee for Scientific Research work groups. Research projects should deal with new scientific problems and must not receive funding from the state budget in any other form.
The programme can be divided into two sub-programmes: - Grants for own and promoted research (subject of the research presented by research team) - amounting for approx. 95% of the programme's budget - proposals are evaluated twice a year - Grants for the commissioned research (subjects of the research are given by the ministry, proposals to be submitted by the research teams within two months from the date of the announcement)
The organisation of the programme in specific disciplines can be commissioned to the Polish Academy of Science, associations, and foundations.
The annual budget of the programme amounts to approximately 112 million euro. It finances about 3200 R&D projects annually. Funding is granted to institutions which have the necessary infrastructure to carry out research and are registered in Poland. Those institutions also have to represent an adequate level of competence. Usually the grant beneficiaries are: Polish Academy of Sciences, Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences, Universities, R&D institutions - research teams and individual researchers. The programme aims at supporting research activities (experimental and theoretical) complying with the scientific policy and enhancing international cooperation in science and technology development. The objectives and priorities are set by the State Committee for Scientific Research (within 12 main disciplines). The Committee is autonomous in its decisions and priority setting. According to the act of 9 May 2001 (on criteria and mechanism of attributing financial means), the priorities are not clearly identified. Currently the National Framework Programme is being designed to identify the main areas of focus. It is drafted by the minister based on suggestions submitted by other ministers, local authorities, the president of the Polish Academy of Science, universities, and local research institutions. A certain contribution to this programme is likely to be made by recently established Technology Platforms as well. It is likely that the National Framework Programme will cover the disciplines developed by the European Union (according to the "Policies for Polish Science till 2020" document).
The system of science and R&D financing in Poland is now in transition as a new "Act on the principles of science financing" has been introduced. It is expected to bring improvements, although there are still no executive ordinances approved. Therefore it is administrated according to the act of 1991. The Ministry of Science and Information Society Technologies in Poland is responsible for two budget sectors: "science" and "information technology". In administrating public funds allocated to scientific research, the minister is assisted by the State Committee for Scientific Research - an autonomous body evaluating the applications and setting the research priorities. The ministry is supporting the development of science also through: - core funding for statutory R&D activities - investments in R&D infrastructure, such as buildings and equipment - subsidies for projects of national importance - subsidies for international scientific and technological cooperation resulting from intergovernmental agreements - subsidies for selected R&D support activities (e.g. information services) - subsidies for programmes and undertakings drafted by the minister - subsidies for consulting activities to the minister and the Science Council
Duration
The programme was launched in 1991, and its end date is not determined. According to the new act on the principles of science financing it will be continued.
Annual budget
112 million euro.
Contact
Ministerstwo Nauki i Informatyzacji
Departament Informacji i Promocji
ul. Wspólna 1/3, 00-529 Warszawa 53, Poland
tel. (+48 22) 628 88 25
fax. (+48 22)-628-09-22
e-mail: dip@mnii.gov.pl
URL: www.mnii.gov.pl
