More than a month ago, the National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) launched a call for applications for the NAWA Chair program, under which it is possible to hire an outstanding representative of social sciences or humanities from abroad and create his/ her own research team. The primary objective of the program is to improve the quality of research and teaching activities carried out in Polish institutions by including excellent scientists with international achievements in these activities. It is a great opportunity for academic and research institutions in Poland, including PAS Institutes, to strengthen their personnel. It is worth adding that the first edition of the program is addressed only to representatives of the humanities, social and theological sciences, and the call for applications is open until the end of July.
Who is eligible to submit an application?
Applications for funding under the NAWA Chair program may be submitted by institutions planning to employ visiting scientists, e.g. universities, research institutes, international research institutes, institutes operating within the Łukasiewicz Research Network and the aforementioned research institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. One applicant may submit several applications in the program, as long as it is able to finance on its own the implementation of all projects, in case when all applications are qualified to funding.
What is important, the project is prepared by the applicant in cooperation with the visiting scientist, and the visiting scientist should devote at least 50% of his/ her research activity to the project implementation. As part of the project, it is planned to hire a visiting scientist and to create a research group of at least four members, including at least two post-docs. The application must include the schedule of the study visit and specify how the applicant plans to continue cooperation with the visiting researcher and his/her research team after the end of the project funding.
Visiting scientist may be a person who jointly meets the following conditions:
- does not have Polish citizenship;
- is international recognized as a leader in his/her research area;
- is hired as a “full professor” in a country other than Poland;
- at the time of submission of the application and within 12 months prior to the announcement of the call for proposals, did not live or work in Poland;
- may demonstrate min. 3 achievements from among the following: a) in the period of 10 years prior to the announcement of the call for proposals managed completed research projects selected by way of competition, b) in the period of 10 years prior to the announcement of the call for proposals was a beneficiary of prestigious support programmes for outstanding scientists, selected by way of a competition; c) in the period of 10 years prior to the announcement of the call for proposals, as the main author, published at least one scientific work of ground-breaking character for the development of a given discipline available in English;
- meets the additional criteria: a) won an international prize or distinction, b) has other significant academic achievements.
The application is submitted in English in the Agency’s ICT system – the application deadline is July 31, 2020 at 15.00.
How long can the project last and what costs can be financed under the grant?
NAWA Chair offers a possibility to employ a visiting scientist for a period of 36 to 48 months (only based on an employment contract). NAWA co-finances up to 80% of the scientist’s remuneration, the rest of the funds are covered by the applicant. The applicant also undertakes to provide administrative and financial support for the project, support in applying for grants or access to scientific and research equipment, the necessary office and laboratory space.
NAWA offers a maximum grant of up to 3 million PLN but the program (similarly to the “Polish Returns”) also provides for the possibility of settlement of the costs of scientific research in the area of basic research (Research component) financed from National Science Centre (up to 400 thousand PLN). Beneficiaries selected in the NAWA Chair, who planned the research component in their application, will be required to submit a separate application to the NCN in the call for proposals addressed exclusively to them. The funds from the National Science Centre can be spent during the first 18 months of the project implementation.
The submitted project shall cover mainly research tasks. The conducted research should be groundbreaking, contribute to the development of science and foster the internationalization of the scientific activity of the applying institution (additionally, the project may include didactic activities). During the project implementation, the beneficiary and the visiting scientist are obliged to actively apply for scientific and research grants in national and international calls.
Where can I find out more information about the NAWA Chair program?
For more information about the NAWA Chair program please contact Mr. Artur Kołodziejczyk:
- e-mail: artur.kolodziejczyk@nawa.gov.pl
- phone: + 48 22 390 35 90
You are also kindly invited to read the regulations of the NAWA Chair program. The regulations can be downloaded here:
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Published: 2020-07-09
Author: J. Kramarczyk
