National Science Centre updates grant rules and promotes research commercialization

The National Science Centre (NCN) is implementing structural changes to its grant processes and fostering collaboration with commercialization entities. In the Impakt Akces NCBR competition, over one-third of the 26 qualified projects were based on research previously funded by the NCN, demonstrating the link between basic research and market potential.

Additionally, the SpaceTech 2 accelerator program, organized by Akces NCBR in cooperation with the Polish Space Agency and the Industrial Development Agency, is currently accepting applications until October 16. The program targets solutions in areas such as satellite data AI, quantum communications, and space propulsion, offering non-repayable grants of up to 300,000 PLN.

To manage a significant increase in grant applications, the NCN Council has approved new regulations effective in 2027 and 2028. These include an annual limit allowing a researcher to serve as a project manager for only one application per calendar year in most NCN competitions. These measures aim to maintain evaluation quality and encourage researchers to pursue European Research Council (ERC) grants.