From September 23 to November 2, 2020, young scientists can apply for a scholarship in the START 2021 competition.
The START scholarship of the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) is a prestigious distinction for the most talented young researchers, awarded in recognition of their scientific achievements. Researchers from all fields of science may apply if they are under 30 years of age in the year of submitting the application.
The START scholarship competition primarily assesses the quality and originality of the candidate?s research achievements to date and their most important research achievement. In previous years, the amount of an individual annual scholarship was PLN 28,000. The scholarship can be used for any purpose.
We encourage young scientists interested in participating in the competition to read the Start Program Regulations and Application Preparation Instructions on the program website. Among other detailed information on the stages of the competition procedure, the two documents include evaluation criteria and the method of submitting applications.
The START program will also award additional distinctions to outstanding candidates whose scientific achievements were rated the highest by the competition reviewers. The distinguished scholarships will be increased.
The FNP will also consider applications submitted to the START competition in the competition for Prof. Barbara Skarga Scholarship. A scholarship holder in this competition may be someone whose research is distinguished by boldly crossing boundaries among various fields of science, opening new research perspectives, and creating new values in science. Such a person?s scholarship will also be increased.
We invite all candidates to apply for mobility grants to their selected research centers. Mobility grants are awarded to the winners after the START competition has been resolved on the basis of rules described in the Application Preparation Instructions.
The assessment of applications consists of several stages, in a peer review system, by scientists recognized in their field of science. Proposals are first assessed by at least two experts, then by an expert panel that directs the best of them for review. Each application qualified for the review stage is assessed by three reviewers. The final decision to grant the scholarship is made by the FNP Executive Board and approved by the FNP Council.
Scholarships in the 2021 competition will be financed from the FNP budget, private donations, and 1% income tax payments. The partners of the program include the National Bank of Poland ? as part of the economic education program ? and the PZU Foundation.
Applications for the START 2021 competition can be submitted from September 23 to November 2, 2020. The results will be announced in May 2021.
Watch out! According to the START competition regulations, the scholarship can be obtained only once.
We wish all candidates good luck!