Key information about the programme
- The Basic Research programme is operated by: The National Science Centre (NCN)
- The Applied Research Programme is operated by: The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) in Poland
- The Donor Programme Partner in both programmes is: The Research Council of Norway (NRC)
- The programmes' objectives are: Enhanced research-based knowledge development
- The funding (excluding co-financing) amounts to €110 million out of which €10 million is funded through the EEA Grants and €100 million is funded through the Norway Grants. The funding is split between an applied research programme (€66 million) and a basic research programme (€44 million).
Why are the programmes needed?
Across Europe there is a disparity in research and innovation performance. In Poland – as in a number of other EU Member States – the targets set for investment in research and development (R&D) are challenging to reach due to limited economic resources and the instability of research funding available. Sufficient investment in research and innovation is crucial for economic growth, social development and competitiveness. European Innovation Scoreboard (2018) indicates that Poland ranks below the EU average on the indicator, ‘Attractive research system’. Lack of internationalisation is a key obstacle hindering the development of Polish research. Stronger uptake of research results by businesses and society at large is expected to contribute to a more competitive economy, smart innovation and better public services. The two programmes aim to strengthen Polish research capacity through support for excellent collaborative projects between researchers from the Donor States and Poland.
The Polish research programmes aim to increase scientific excellence; improve technology transfer processes and application of research results; and support female researchers and young researchers consolidating their research careers.
What will the programmes achieve and who are the beneficiaries?
The applied research programme supports research teams from the Donor States and Poland conducting applied research projects within a wide field, including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Supported activities include technology transfer to R&D-based SMEs, the development of new technologies, and feasibility studies/pre-commercial phases. Female researchers in applied technical sciences can apply for an individual grant to do research abroad.
Through the basic research programme research teams from the Donor States and Poland will have the opportunity to conduct basic research projects within Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Engineering, Life Sciences and Polar. Support will include the active involvement of PhDs and Postdocs, as well as NGOs and public organisations. Individual researchers from abroad will have the opportunity to apply for a grant to do research in Poland.
Together the two programmes aim to achieve:
- 420 researchers supported
- 550 peer-reviewed scientific publications submitted
- 160 joint peer-reviewed scientific publications submitted in basic research
- 50 new products/technologies developed
- 45 signed collaborative agreements between research organisations and companies involved in the programme
- 50 SMEs supported
- 50 female researchers conducting research abroad
How will the programmes strengthen bilateral relations?
The programmes contribute to strengthening bilateral relations between Poland and the Donor States. All research projects shall include partners from the Donor States and Poland. Researchers, representatives of administration of research entities, other public institutions, non-governmental organizations and entrepreneurs can register in the partner search database for the EEA and Norway Grants maintained by the Research Council of Norway RCN.
Availability of funding through open calls
Funding in the applied and basic research programmes will be made available through a total of seven open calls.
Applied research open calls:
- Call 1: Collaborative research projects (POLNOR) planned for third quarter 2019
- Call 2: Collaborative research projects in the area of carbon capture and storage (POLNOR CCS) planned for third quarter 2019
- Call 3: Ground-breaking research projects (IdeaLab) planned for first quarter 2020
- Small Grant Scheme for female researchers in applied technical science planned for third quarter 2020.
Basic research open calls:
- Call 1: Collaborative research projects (GRIEG) planned to be launched 17 June 2019
- Call 2: Ground-breaking, interdisciplinary research projects (IdeaLab) planned for second quarter 2019
- Small Grant Scheme for incoming mobility of researchers from abroad to Poland (POLS) planned for fourth quarter 2019
Bilateral calls: an info-event in Warsaw for the applied research programme is planned for 24-25 June 2019. An info-event for the basic research programme is planned for July 2019.
Download the full programme agreements here (Applied Research) and here (Basic Research) for more detailed information about the programme.
More information can also be found on the websites of the Programme Operators - the National Science Centre (NCN) and the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) - and the Donor Programme Partner’s website: Norwegian Research Council.