The Foundation for Polish Science has selected the winners of the fifth FIRST TEAM competition. Thirteen junior scientists received grants totalling over PLN 26 million for setting up their first research teams.
The FIRST TEAM programme supports junior postdoctoral researchers in building their research independence by awarding each of them around PLN 2 million to assist them in implementing their team projects and in taking up the most interesting research challenges. The grants are financed from the Smart Growth Operational Programme (SG OP).
The fifth FIRST TEAM competition attracted 131 applications, out of which reviewers and experts recommended the financing of 13 projects, for a total amount of over PLN 26 million. The funds awarded by the FNP will allow the selected leaders to set up their own research teams and finance at least 29 workplaces for researchers employed in the projects, and 35 scholarships for students and PhD students involved in research work. A total of 28 international and 12 Polish research partners were invited to cooperate on the research.
See the list of grantees of the fifth FIRST TEAM competition
The FIRST TEAM programme
The FIRST TEAM programme run by the Foundation for Polish Science awards grants of ca. PLN 2 million for researchers to set up their first research teams. Funds can be awarded to junior postdoctoral researchers up to five years following the obtaining of their PhD degrees, regardless of nationality. The programme is aimed at breakthrough R&D research of significant importance for the economy and society, and in line with the list of National Smart Specialisations. Projects may be conducted in research units, enterprises, or scientific and industrial consortia in Poland. The winners are selected on the basis of a three-stage substantive evaluation performed by international reviewers and experts who took part in the work of two panels: the scientific and economic panel, and the interdisciplinary panel. The grants are awarded for a three-year period, with an option of an extension for another two years.
The Foundation has carried out five competitions under the FIRST TEAM programme. More than 500 candidates have participated in them, and 54 winners have received funding amounting to more than PLN 107 million. Over 190 people are involved in the implementation of FIRST TEAM projects.
For further details go the programme website FIRST TEAM.
Congratulations to all awardees!