Our website uses cookies. By using our website you agree to their use according to the current settings of your browser. You may as well change the rules for the cookies to be used within the settings of your browser. Learn more.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers were adopted by the European Commission in 2005. These two documents contain recommendations defining the role, scope of responsibilities and rights of researchers as well as of their employers and funders.
The Charter& Code aims at creation of competitive and open research job market in Europe, enhancing attractiveness of the research career. It also serves increasing mobility of researchers, including exchange of people between academia and industry and other sectors of the economy.
The institutions which consciously and actively adapt their activities to the principles entailed in both documents are recognized by the European Commission and granted ?HR Excellence in Research? award. The Foundation for Polish Science has been the first organisation in Poland to be so distinguished.
In 2011 FNP president Maciej Żylicz signed a declaration of support for the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. In the next step, the Foundation prepared an analysis of the compliance of its procedures and operations with the Commission?s guidelines, and on that basis drafted an action plan for achieving full implementation of the Charter and Code. After verifying these documents, on 25 June 2012 the European Commission awarded the Foundation the distinction of ?HR Excellence in Research?.
Implementation of the Charter and Code is understood as an ongoing process, requiring regular evaluation and improvements in the institution?s operations. In 2014 the Foundation conducted an internal review of implementation of these principles, and in particular implementation of the actions that had been planned two years before. In 2017 another review of the progress in implementing the guidelines of the Charter and Code was conducted. In 2018 FNP was submitted to on-site assessment of the implementation process by EC experts. The assessment proved very positive and the Foundation kept the distinction of ?HR Excellence in Research?.
As our programmes and procedures are changing and so does the institutional and legal framework of our activities, pursuance of the European Charter & Code is a constant process. New gaps and challenges are being identified and new actions discussed.
Files to download:
Implementation of the Principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers by the Foundation for Polish Science. January 2022: download/ Appendix: Action Plan ? implementation and new tasks (January 2022): download
Implementation of the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Internal Review. November 2017: download
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. Internal analysis of implementation 2014: download
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers ? Internal Gap Analysis for the Foundation for Polish Science 2012: download
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers Internal gap analysis for the Foundation for Polish Science 2012: downlowad
Declaration of support for the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers: download
Open, Transparent and Merit-based recruitment strategy: download
Born on 20 June 1934 in Grabkowo near Warsaw, Poland, deceased on 12 February 2016 in Warsaw.
Professor of physical metallurgy and materials science. His field is the relations between microstructure and mechanical properties of metals, with special interest in the structure of grain boundaries and properties of metals. Contributed over 70 papers in international journals, two monographs and two academic books.
Graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology (1960). In 1959 joined the staff of the Materials Technology Department of Warsaw University of Technology (WUT), transformed into the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering in 1975, and eventually, in 1995, into the Faculty of Materials Science and Engineering. 1967 – PhD in physical metallurgy. 1969 – 1970 in the Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, Cambridge University, UK. 1979 – Associate Professorship, 1989 – full Professorship in materials science in 1981-1987 the Director of the Institute Materials Science and Engineering, elected for two consecutive terms of office. From 1981 to 1987 and then again from 1991 to 1996 a member of the Senate of WUT, member or chairman of various of Senate and University commissions, and since 1981 to now in the University Commission for Professional Ethic.
1990-1994 a member of the Expert Group at the Ministry of Education. Elected in 1991 and again in 1994 to the State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN), he was Chairman of the Technical Science Group of the Fundamental Research Commission, and from 1994 to 1997 – Deputy Chairman of the Applied Research Commission. Since 2000 in the Professional Ethic Group of the Minister of Science and Technology.
Member of the Warsaw Scientific Society (1988), a corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences (1991), and a member of The Society for the Advancement of Sciences (1993). Recipient of Knight (1989) and Officer (1997) Cross of the Polonia Restituta Order, and The National Education Medal (1995). Received dr h.c. from Academy of Mining and Metallurgy, Cracow (1999) and from Warsaw University of Technology (2001).
President and Executive Director of the Foundation for Polish Science from October 1992 till September 2005.
Ongoing programmes financed by the European funds
International Research Agendas
In 2015 the Foundation started to implement the International Research Agendas programme financed by the European fund within the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014?2020, Measure 4.3. International Research Agendas. The Foundation received over EUR 126 million which allow for providing support to approx. 10 units responsible for the implementation of International Research Agendas.The goal of the programme is to create specialised, world-class research units in Poland applying global best practice in identification of research programmes and topics, HR policy, R&D management, and commercialisation of R&D results. These units will pursue international research agendas, i.e. research programmes created by applicants and members of the international research community who are world-renowned authorities in the field in which the unit specialises.
TEAM Programme ? financing for research teams headed by leading scientists
TEAM-TECH Programme ? financing for research teams headed by leading scientists carrying out R&D projects related to a new product or production process (technological or manufacturing) of significant importance for the economy; TEAM-TECH Core Facility and TEAM-TECH Core Facility PLUS – financing for research teams headed by leading scientists carrying out R&D projects related to designing and developing research services with the use of advanced research equipment.
FIRST TEAM Programme ? financing for first research teams headed by young doctors
POWROTY/REINTEGRATION Programme ? financing for projects designed as postdoctoral fellowships, carried out by young doctors (postdocs) returning to scientific research after a break
HOMING Programme ? financing for projects designed as postdoctoral fellowships, carried out by young doctors (postdocs) coming to Poland from abroad
Funding for the purchase of specialist equipment
Winners of the FIRST TEAM and INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AGENDAS programme competitions may now apply for funding for the purchase of specialist equipment at the research units where their projects are being carried out.
As part of the competition, funding will be provided for the purchase of specialist equipment, understood as a set of testing, measurement or laboratory devices with a low degree of universality and high technical parameters.
It is possible to purchase equipment necessary for the significant development of a project implemented under the FIRST TEAM or INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH AGENDAS programme and/or for the development of the R&D human resources engaged in the project, provided that the unit does not have any equipment that could be used as an alternative, and that gaining access to such equipment in another unit is impossible or unjustified from an economic point of view.
From 1 December 2017 heads of projects implemented under the TEAM, TEAM-TECH, core facility competitions, FIRST TEAM, HOMING, and POWROTY/REINTEGRATION programmes (Measure 4.4 of the Smart Growth Operational Programme) may submit applications to make changes in their projects.
The changes may include the adjustment of the scope of the project, as well as its prolongation. Such modifications, if substantively justified, may be connected with an appropriate increase in funding for the project.
Technical assistance
The Foundation for Polish Science is implementing the SG OP Technical Assistance Project for the years 2017?2019 as part of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014?2020 co-financed from the funds of the European Regional Development Fund.
The project aims to provide the necessary support in the efforts undertaken by the Foundation for Polish Science with a view to carrying out projects within the SG OP 4th Priority Axis, Measure 4.3 ?International Research Agendas? and Measure 4.4. ?Increasing the Human Potential in the R&D sector?.
The funding received from the EU for the requirements of the project is PLN 17,941,560.
Reporting suspected financial irregularities and fraud in projects and competitions supervised by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) under the SGOP, Measure 4.4
The Foundation for Polish Science, which acts as the Implementing Authority for Measure 4.4 of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020, undertakes to observe the highest legal and ethical standards, and to adhere to the principles of accuracy, objectivity and honesty. It is resolutely determined to prevent financial fraud, including corruption and conflicts of interest.
The obligation to adhere to the principles of legality, objectivity, responsibility and honesty also applies to SGOP project applicants and beneficiaries, as well as to their suppliers and partners.
The FNP has a system in place to report potential or suspected irregularities, or fraud, by email to zglosnaduzycie@fnp.org.pl.
Potential or suspected irregularities, or fraud, may be reported anonymously. However, the individual who is reporting may be asked to provide further information to help resolve the issue, and to identify himself or herself, and provide his or her contact details in cases involving information with personal data. We guarantee that all data are kept confidential.
The FNP has an anti-fraud policy in place as part of the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020 to resolutely and consistently counteract all cases of financial fraud with the support of relevant authorities and law-enforcement agencies.
Implementation of structural funds by FNP: archived programmes
In 2008, the Foundation started to implement the programmes financed by the European Regional Development Fund within the Innovative Economy Operational Programme 2007?2013 (Measure 1.2 ?Strengthening the human resources potential of science?). As a beneficiary of the key programmes of the IE OP, the Foundation received the amount of over 100 mln EUR (this funding was spent in 2007?2015).In 2011, the Foundation launched the SKILLS project, funded by the Human Capital Operational Programme (Measure 4.2 ?Development of R&D system staff qualifications and improving the awareness of the role of science in economic growth?). By the end of 2015, the Foundation had spent over 35 million zlotys on this project.1. Programmes financed by the European funds within the Measure 1.2 ? Strengthening the human resources potential of science? of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme
TEAM Programme ? projects carried out according to priorities included in IE OP by students, PhD students and postdocs in the best research teams in Poland
VENTURES Programme ? innovative projects that may serve the economy, ran by students, graduates and doctoral students
WELCOME Programme ? projects carried out according to priorities included in IE OP by outstanding scientists from abroad establishing research teams in Polish scientific institutions
PARENT-BRIDGE Programme ? grants for parents that facilitate their return to scientific research and for pregnant women conducting research
HOMING PLUS Programme ? grants for young scholars to encourage them to begin their research in Poland
2. Programmes financed by the European funds within the Measure 4.2 ?Development of R&D system staff qualifications and improving the awareness of the role of science in economic growth? of the Human Capital Operational Programme
SKILLS Project ? developing the skills of the research & development sector?s employees and PhD students in communication, interdisciplinary cooperation, and research projects management.
The SKILLS project encloses several trainings ran by the best specialists from Poland and abroad as well as the following programmes:
IMPULS competition ? promoting applied research and developing scientists? skills related to the commercialization of research and development results
Trainings Programme ? improving reserachers? work skills by completing an internship at a research performing organisation or a company abroad
eNgage competition ? developing researchers? skills in science communication or presentation of research results for non-scientists
Meetings initiated by the project?s participants ? presenting the newest research directions, exchanging thoughts and experience, and integrating the scientific world
Programme Officers Academy ? improving the skills of grant and scholarship programmes? management and tightening the cooperation among science managers in Poland.
Since May, 26th 2014 the Foundation for Polish Science has been operating out of its new headquaters: ul. Krasickiego 20/22 in Warsaw.
The need for a move from the previous FNP headquarters to a new one arose as a result of the considerable development in the Foundation?s programme activity. Since 2008 the FNP has carried out several new programmes financed from European structural funds, and had to double its staff. The previous building was too small to house all members of the staff, so in 2008 we purchased a real estate for office purposes at ul. Krasickiego 20/22. This comprised a ruined 1930s building surrounded with a garden, which had both certainly seen better days. During the II World War it suffered serious damage, and was not rebuilt following the original design. The Foundation acquired the building in a very bad condition. Having received the consent of the Warsaw Conservator of Listed Buildings, we got the go-ahead to rebuild and modernise the property.
It was our intention to create not only a functional place that would satisfy our office needs, but above all – a unique, visually attractive and environmentally friendly building that would both emphasise the prestige of the Foundation and Polish science and become a landmark of the district and city ? an open place inspiring various communities.
In 2009 we announced a competition for developing an architectural conception for the modernisation and rebuilding of the building at ul. Krasickiego 20/22 to house the new FNP headquarters. The winner was FAAB Architektura. Building work began in autumn 2012.
The work resulted in a modernised building redeveloped in accordance with the principles of ecological construction, based on revitalisation of existing building materials making maximum use of the old building?s structure, leaving those walls that were not rebuilt after the war and whose technical condition permits their preservation. However, during building work it became clear that, for example, the part of the elevation reconstructed after the war does not meet building norms and was in danger of collapse. Following the renovation the building comprises four floors withoffice space of 1527m2. The modernised building returned to the original, pre-war order of the front elevation, with a street entrance and an original terrazzo stairwell. The revitalised building features modern ecological technological solutions, including a rational management system for water and electric energy. The property has been made more attractive by its ?living façade?, i.e. a vertical garden installed on the front elevation.
Solutions used in the building:
Energy saving
Living façade ? the new FNP headquarters is Poland?s first building covered in a ?living facade? consisting of a 250-m2 elevation garden. Plants are supplied with water and minerals by special irrigation system including a geotextile fabric creating a ?foundation? for the vegetation. The weight of the system including vegetation does not exceed 30 kg per square metre. The elevation garden is also a thermal isolator ? heating the building in winter and cooling it in summer and thereby reducing its energy needs.
Daylight: an inner atrium running through all floors above ground level provides natural light to the building?s interior. Daylight also reaches the garages equipped with a system of skylights.
The building is fitted with the highest-class energy-saving equipment ? heat pumps reducing the need for energy.
Water saving
Rainwater stored in a retainer tank and then used for flushing toilets.
The Foundation for Polish Science (FNP) seeks to take an active part in creating best practices for the professional ethics of scientists conducting research in Poland, and to contribute to development of rules and experience in the area of the ethical standards that should be applied in Polish scientific institutions. Thus, in the form of codes, the Foundation defines the rules and values governing its staff, as well as the beneficiaries, candidates and reviewers in the competitions the Foundation conducts:
Under the Rules of Procedure, any person in possession of information concerning a possible violation of the Foundation?s ethical rules may notify the Foundation accordingly (while the Foundation?s staff and experts have an obligation to do so). Notifications should be submitted to etyka@fnp.org.pl.
EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY
The Foundation supports the development of scientists and enables them to fully exploit their abilities and research interests. Therefore, work for a diverse scientific community ? based both on gender and other personal characteristics ? is also work for the improvement of science?s quality. We know that ensuring real equality of opportunity for groups at risk of discrimination in the development of scientific careers is difficult due to structurally and historically established barriers. However, this does not relieve us of the responsibility for co-creating academic culture and supporting the best scientists.
Because of the scale of the Foundation?s activity and its importance for the whole of Polish system of funding science, its programmes must be subjected to systematic evaluation. Evaluation serves to analyse the purposefulness, quality and results of the programmes being run, thus also supporting the process of building FNP?s programme strategy.
FNP evaluation is conducted in three forms:
current monitoring
internal evaluation
external evaluation
Monitoring
After the completion of an edition of a programme or a significant stage thereof, a review is made of its progress, the results and any problems encountered. Any doubts, remarks and suggestions for the future are then formulated.
Monitoring serves the following purposes:
current analysis of ongoing activity (constituting an ?early warning? system about difficulties which may arise),
involvement of coordinators in assessment of the programmes which they run,
periodically conducted evaluation.
Internal evaluation
Each of the Foundation?s programmes is subjected to internal evaluation every 4?5 years. The purpose of this is to make a careful analysis of the purposefulness and quality of activities undertaken, to identify critical points and to make recommendations for the future.
Internal evaluation includes:
analysis of programme procedures and documents,
surveys of beneficiaries and possibly other people involved in a programme (e.g. reviewers, academic supervisors of scholarship holders),
interviews with beneficiaries and persons involved in the running of programmes,
analysis of statistical data relating to programmes,
analysis of the external context of FNP programmes (comparison with what is offered by other institutions providing support for science).
External evaluation
An objective assessment of the FNP?s programmes is to be ensured by entrusting the task to outside experts ? persons independent of the Foundation and recognized as authorities in the scientific community. The purpose of external evaluation is to evaluate the programmes offered by FNP in terms of the Foundation?s role and mission, the needs of the scientific community, the international perspective and the standards of the best foreign institutions financing the development of science.
Reports and evaluation analysis
Monitoring the Career Development of FNP Program Laureates and Scholarship Holders – 2nd Wave (February 2020)
Young researchers from foreign countries, in projects funded by FNP, under Smart Growth Operational Programme Measures 4.4 and 4.3 Download summary – English version
Qualitative study of education of doctoral students in projects supported by FNP under Measure 4.4 of the Smart Growth Operational Programme (April 2019) Download summary – English version
Research on the cooperation and relations between scientific and economic institutions in the TEAM TECH program (April 2019) Download summary – English version
Support for transfer of scientific achievements into commercial practice by the Foundation for Polish Science in 1991?2015: Analysis of the effects of pursuit of FNP?s second and third statutory objectives from the beginning of its operations (August 2017)Download summary – English version
Study of the quality of training of doctoral students as FNP stipend-holders: Quantitative study (June 2018) Download summary – English version
Career monitoring. Report from surveyof laureates of the START and VENTURES programmes ansstipend holders in the TEAM, WELCOME and MPD programme(February 2018) Download summary – English version
Recruitment of research teams in projects funded by FNP under Smart Growth Operational Programme (December 2017) Download summary – English version
Study of the opportunities for funding research and the role of the Foundation for Polish Science in the Polish research funding system. Survey of a nationwide sample of professor title holders (February 2017) Download summary – English version
TEAM POIG and WELCOME projects evaluation (March 2016)
O Fundacji 
