New EU Commission, Horizon Europe, Missions – the work continues

The most important event of last autumn was the appointment of the new European Commission, under which Ursula von der Leyen was elected its President. At the beginning of September 2019 she proposed her team and the new structure of the Commission for the next term of office 2019 – 2024 (link). Mariya Gabriel was proposed as a Commissioner, whose portfolio encompasses both science and education. Many scientists and a number of organizations – including the PAS – suggested a change of portfolio name (link), which was finally materialized, i.e. Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth (link). After the hearing process, the European Parliament approved new set of commissioners in plenary on November 27, 2019 (link). Already in December Commission unveils ‘A European Green Deal‘ to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent (link).

Polish-French Forum of Science and Innovation in Warsaw

On 19th November 2019, the 5th Polish-French Science and Innovation Forum was held at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics. The main organizers of the event were: the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Embassy of France in Poland.

The official opening of the Forum was done by: Marek Rocki – Rector of the SGH Warsaw School of Economics, dr hab. Sebastian Skuza, deputy minister from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The French side was represented by: Mr. Frédéric Billet – French Ambassador to Poland and Dr. Jacques Maddaluno – Director of the Institute of Chemistry, Center national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS).

Is another politics possible? – summary of the November meeting about book “Stommizm”

On 12th November 2019, the Polish Science Contact Agency organized jointly with the Tygodnik Powszechny Club in Brussels, the Znak Publishing House and the Regional Office of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Brussels the panel discussion: “Is another politics possible? The legacy of prof. Stanisław Stommy in European politics”. The discussion was organized around the book “Stommizm. Political biography of Stanisław Stomma”, written by prof. Radosław Ptaszyński and published by the Znak Publishing House in 2018. The book was nominated for the Moczarski’s award for the best history book in 2019.

In the discussion panel participation: prof. Radosław Ptaszyński, author of the book “Stommizm. Political biography of Stanisław Stomma” (University of Szczecin), dr hab. Małgorzata Molęda-Zdziech (Polish Science Contact Agency), Henryk Woźniakowski (Znak Publishing House) and dr Jan Olbrycht (Member of the European Parliament). The discussion was led by dr Michał Matlak (European Parliament).

‘PoliSSH perspective on Horizon Europe’ conference – summary

On 27 November 2019 ‘PoliSSH perspective on Horizon Europe’ event took place in Staszic Palace in Warsaw (Poland). The conference was jointly organized by Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA) of the Polish Academy of Sciences and National Contact Point for Research Programmes of the EU in Poland. The main objective was to support the participation of Polish scientists in EU Framework Programmes, especially in the Social Sciences and Humanities’ field. Other aims of the event were: to bring the European context closer to Polish scientists and to network them with foreign partners.

Season’s greetings

Wishing you a Joyful Holiday Season and a Wonderful New Year

PolSCA team

Christmas break – changes in the operation in PolSCA office

Please be informed that between 23rd – 29th December 2019 the PolSCA office – located on Rue du Trone 98, 1050 Brussels – will be closed. Happy festive season!

Screening of ‘The Journalist’ movie

On 9th December 2019 in East Poland House in Brussels the screening of the “The Journalist” documentary movie took place. The screening was organized by the Polish Science Contact Agency and the Regional Office of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship in Brussels, operating within the East Poland House initiative.

Discussions on Horizon Europe in the PolSCA Office: a series of meetings for Polish regional representations in Brussels

In 2019, regular working meetings for representatives of Polish regional offices in Brussels were continued. Through this platform for the exchange of information and experience (with external guests as well), PolSCA strives to support the development of knowledge about research and innovation among our Polish partners at the regional level. The main emphasis during these monthly meetings was put on elements related to the preparation of the next framework program – Horizon Europe (HEU).

‘V4 Training’ – summary of the autumn edition 2019

Between 18-20 November 2019, the next edition of ‘V4 Training’ took place in Brussels. This training for managers of European research projects was organized, like always, by Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA), Slovak Liaison Office for Research and Development (SLORD), Czech Liaison Office for R&D (CZELO) and National Research, Development and Innovation Office (NRDIO) of Hungary.

In this edition, the participants were employees of universities and research institutes not only from the Visegrad Group countries, but also from the Netherlands, Lithuania and Romania. This year, we received over 20 applications from Poland, from which we selected 7 Polish participants of “V4 Training”. Finally, the following people attended the training:

• Agnieszka BARCIK – Poznan University of Technology,
• Anna FOKS-RYZNAR – Space Research Centre of PAS,
• Michał GRUDZIŃSKI – West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin,
• Barbara KAMIŃSKA – Institute of Cultivation, Fertilization and Soil Science – National Research Institute,
• Maciej POSŁUSZNY – Warsaw University of Life Sciences,
• Katarzyna SZYNISZEWSKA – University of Warsaw.

PoliSSH perspective on Horizon Europe, 27th November 2019, PAS, Staszic Palace, Warsaw (gallery)

On 27th November 2019, the event “PoliSSH perspective on Horizon Europe” devoted to the role of social sciences and humanities in European research took place at the headquarters of the Polish Academy of Sciences in the Staszic Palace in Warsaw. Thank you all for coming and active participation and we encourage you to see photos from the event below.