Researchers in Poland are fighting the COVID-19 pandemic

There is no need to convince anyone about the importance of the voice and work of scientists in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. An evidence-based discussion and an intensified activity in the field of research and innovation are essential at such a specific time. Therefore, we would like to introduce some of the activities undertaken, mainly by the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), for the fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Below you could find information about the interdisciplinary COVID-19 Advisory Team, established by President of PAS, as well as a short description of selected – international or national – research projects carried out by the PAS Institutes and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw.

European Science, Research and Innovation – Reports (May / June 2020)

The period of the coronavirus lockdown was not particularly easy for scientists and the entire academic community, especially in terms of the implementation of research grants or research mobility. However, it is worth noting that at that time a number of interesting reports devoted to the European science, research and innovation were published like: 1) SRIP 2020 report, 2) Open Science Policy Platform report, 3) ERA-LEARN reports on partnerships, 4) European Innovation Scoreboard 2020, 5) Nature Index ranking. In the light of this, we are pleased to provide you with a short description and a link to each report below.

European Research Area – current and future shape

European Research Area (ERA) is the main area of conducting research policy in the European Union. Its overall goal is to create a unified area of research, open to the whole world and enables free circulation of researchers, scientific knowledge and technology. In order to reduce fragmentation of scientific activities as well as increase the EU’s international competitiveness, it is important to further strengthen the ERA by gradually harmonizing the policies of individual European countries in the field of research and innovation.

PolSCA team in a slightly changed version!

We are pleased to inform that from 1st June 2020 the structure of the PolSCA Office is changed! According to the decision of the President of the Polish Academy of Sciences prof. Jerzy Duszyński, dr. Tomasz Poprawka began a 4-year term as a new Director of the Polish Science Contact Agency in Brussels. In the light of this, Dr. Justyna Kramarczyk officially took a position as an expert. What is more, recruitment for the position of another expert has been already launched!

EU Green Deal – announcement of the Horizon 2020 competition

Climate change and environmental degradation are an existential threat to Europe and the world. To overcome these challenges, Europe needs a new growth strategy that transforms the Union into a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases by 2050, economic growth is decoupled from resource use and no person and no place is left behind.

Maria Skłodowska-Curie Actions Individual Fellowships: institutional perspective

The main goal of MSCA-IF grants is to develop the careers of experienced scientists through the implementation of an individual research project in a selected institution in Europe or abroad, as well as through participation in a number of training sessions and conferences. Although it is the interested scientist who proposes the topic of an individually run project (bottom-up approach), the role played by the host university or research institute in the whole process is equally important.

Extended deadlines under SC1 – Health in Horizon 2020 calls

Currently, there are several calls for proposals opened under the  Societal Challenge No 1 (SC1), i.e. health, demographic change and well-being. The call deadlines originally planned for mid-April have been postponed to June, i.e. to June 4 and June 18. This extension is a response to the COVID-19 crisis that has severely affected many potential applicants of this topic, to allow more time for proposal preparation.

Successes stories of the PAS institutes in Horizon 2020 competitions

With the arrival of this year’s spring, the results of the recent ERA Chairs and Twinning competitions under the EU Research and Innovation Framework Program – Horizon 2020 were released. Most importantly, a number of institutes across the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) were also among the beneficiaries. Out of 10 projects in Poland that have received financial support, 4 will be implemented within the network of PAS institutes.

MSCA – the latest news

Is there any possibility to extend the project duration of Horizon 2020 grants due to the COVID-19 situation? What happens if the mobility rule can no longer be fulfilled as a consequence of the COVID-19 related travel restrictions? Will the European Commission/Research Executive Agency (REA) be flexible if beneficiaries need to modify the researcher recruitment and working conditions due to the COVID-19 outbreak? The outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic undoubtedly raised many doubts and detailed questions regarding the implementation of research projects financed by EU, especially regarding the Maria Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) grants, which is a basic requirement of scientific mobility. In addition, the last two MSCA calls under H2020 have recently opened, another one has been extended. In the light of this, we would like to present the most important information below, relevant for both beneficiaries and those who are planning to participate in the program.

Mobility, mobility, mobility! The POLS call

Less than a month ago we posted on PolSCA website the information about The Ulam Programme and the Polish Returns programme enabling scientific visits in Poland. This time we would like to present another instrument to support the mobility of researchers – the POLS call, financed from Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and operated by the National Science Centre. It is addressed to scientists from around the world and from all fields of science who wish to carry out their research in Poland. Hosting both recognized and promising scientists is an excellent opportunity to increase the scientific potential of research organisations in Poland.