Research in Poland Jerzy M. Langer Ministry of Science and Information Society Technologies An outline EARTO General Assembly Research to Business Warsaw, 15th April 2005

Foundations: strengths and weaknesses

GDP Growth (%)

Inflation rate (%)

NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (in thousands) NUMBER OF UNIVERSITY GRADUATES (in thousands) / /2 Human resources in Poland students

Students in Poland a demographic projection

NUMBER OF PH. D. STUDENTSNUMBER OF AWARDED DOCTORAL DEGREES Human resources in Poland PhD

Institutions of science and researchers UNIVERSITIES63% RTOs (JBR) 28% P A N 9% Researchers about FTE

State Universities 125 Private Universities 252 Polish Academy of Sci. Institutes 81 R&D units 232 Size of the R&D sector (2002)

Polish Academy of Sciences research staff age issue dr dr hab Professors emeritus AGE GROUP

King D.A. (2004) Nature 430, Science structure

Budgetary expenditure

R&D expenditure 0,0 0,2 0,4 0,6 0,8 1,0 1, % GDP TOTAL BUDGET NON-BUDGET

Scientific vs. economic wealth Citation intensity GDP per person in thousands US dollars David A. King, Nature 2004

Way forward: - internal reforms - the EU chance

Introduction of competitiveness and economic rules in science Implementation of highly competitive grant system.Implementation of highly competitive grant system. Critical assessment of all research institutes. It constitutes a basis of a ranking system in a distribution of statutory fundsCritical assessment of all research institutes. It constitutes a basis of a ranking system in a distribution of statutory funds Benchmarking for disciplines, institutes, individualsBenchmarking for disciplines, institutes, individuals

Joining the EU merger strategies Financial incentives to apply and participate in EU programs (financial backing).Financial incentives to apply and participate in EU programs (financial backing). Priorities based on economic and resource assessment.Priorities based on economic and resource assessment. „Ivy league” government policy (streamlining resources into top competitive groups).„Ivy league” government policy (streamlining resources into top competitive groups). Shift from „pure” research to economy oriented.Shift from „pure” research to economy oriented. Pro-innovative fiscal policy (chance for R&D intensive industries), especially SMEs.Pro-innovative fiscal policy (chance for R&D intensive industries), especially SMEs.

ACT ON FINANCING OF SCIENCE – PRINCIPAL CHANGES Formerly: the Minister awarded funds, executing the resolutions of the State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN) Now: The Minister of Science awards funds for science taking into consideration the opinion of the Science Council New instruments to create science policy

COMMISSION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE ECONOMY (KOMISJA BADAŃ NA RZECZ ROZWOJU GOSPODARKI) Max. 26 persons nominated by the minister – appropriate experts, representatives of relevant ministers, and persons representing social and economic practice UNITS - disciplinary or interdisciplinary units - working units of Council Commissions COMMITTEE FOR SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL POLICY (KOMITET POLITYKI NAUKOWEJ i NAUKOWO-TECHNICZNEJ ) Max. 11 persons nominated by the minister, incl. those proposed by the President of PAS and Chairmen of RGSW, KRASP and RG JBR COMMISSION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE (KOMISJA BADAŃ NA RZECZ ROZWOJU NAUKI) 28 persons proposed by academia UNIT OF APPEALS (ZESPÓŁ ODWOŁAWCZY) 5 persons proposed by academia Science Council

FP6 - overall results ATBEDEDKELESFIFRIEITLUNLPTSEUKBGCYCZEEHULTLVMTPLROSISK TR partners in submitted projects partners in retained projects success rate

EU-25 Networks of excellence

Poland – Centres of excellence

POLISH POSITION ON FP7 General conditions Ensuring equal chances of access to FP instruments Ensuring a balance between “new” and “traditional” instruments Continuation of the thematic priorities Excellence as a basic criterion of evaluation Formulation of thematic priorities to accommodate social and environmental challenges – both global and regional

Frontier/basic research a chance and a must

Where researchers work (%) Source – EC Key Figures

Strongest Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Astrophysics Medium Biology, Earth Sciences, Medicine, some Engineering Sciences. Lagging most Engineering Sciences, Ecology. Strong nationally Archaeology, Literature studies Sociology, History Why then basic research is great chance in NMS? It is fairly inexpensive.It is fairly inexpensive. It is a landmark of Polish „ivy league” of higher education and thus helps to train open minds.It is a landmark of Polish „ivy league” of higher education and thus helps to train open minds. A distance from science-driven research to applied is much smaller if a first step is at the highest level.A distance from science-driven research to applied is much smaller if a first step is at the highest level. There will be a lot of resources in Europe, so we must get prepared to compete, and quickly.There will be a lot of resources in Europe, so we must get prepared to compete, and quickly. There we are strongest.There we are strongest. But uncompromised quality is absolute must

ERC – the hope Great expectationsGreat expectations Great challengeGreat challenge However the ERC will not solve all problemsHowever the ERC will not solve all problems But ERC will contribute to the solution of many problems and issuesBut ERC will contribute to the solution of many problems and issues We must not only advocate for the ERC, but we all have to work for its success.We must not only advocate for the ERC, but we all have to work for its success.

The ERC – for whom and how? Address exclusively the top level of researchers in Europe (groups but also individuals).Address exclusively the top level of researchers in Europe (groups but also individuals). Age and origin must not be used as a criterionAge and origin must not be used as a criterion All granting procedures must be highly competitive.All granting procedures must be highly competitive. It will help create benchmarks.It will help create benchmarks. Support only the best individuals and groups, so that they can become even better.

Poland strongly supports the proposed inclusion of basic research in FP7 and... Poland fully endorses the proposed establishment of the European Research Council. … the need to strengthen international cooperation in research… … coordination of national research programmes. Poland supports the EU’s mobility policy… Polish position regarding FP /04 RECH

S&T in XXI century Europe European Research AreaEuropean Research Area Europe seen as a whole From the Enlargement to Common EuropeFrom the Enlargement to Common Europe No new invisible Berlin Wall!!! Utmost care for all talentedUtmost care for all talented Need for novel pan-European R&D funding schemes – the concept of European Research CouncilNeed for novel pan-European R&D funding schemes – the concept of European Research Council From ERA to REI

R esearch E uropean E ducation A rea I nnovation R esearch E uropean E ducation A rea I nnovation Europe: the knowledge based society Heraclitos said – α αα i And indeed Europe is on the move