The Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW) is responsible for the development and implementation of research policy. The Ministry provides core funding for the statutory activities of various types of research institutions and for large infrastructure investments, and it also supervises the two major governmental funding agencies – the National Science Centre (Narodowe Centrum Nauki, NCN) and the National Centre for Research and Development (Narodowe Centrum Badań i Rozwoju, NCBR).
The Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools (CRASP) in Poland is the representative body of academic schools, which have the right to award the doctor's degree (or equivalent) in at least one scientific discipline. On July 5, 2013 CRASP and Polish Academy of Sciences (Polska Akademia Nauk, PAN) issued a joint statement on open access to scientific publications and educational resources. In 2018 CRASP published a statement on the implementation of open science model. CRASP is a member of European University Association, which supports universities in the implementation of Open Science principles.
The Polish Academy of Sciences (Polska Akademia Nauk, PAN) is a national research institution founded in 1952. It conducts advanced research at its scientific units, integrates research community in Poland, supports and promotes various forms of research and educates young scholars.
State research institutes (see: Main Council of the Research Institutes) are government-run institutions that conduct R&D work in line with the needs of the national economy and social life.
Two major governmental agencies are responsible for the bulk of research funding in Poland.
The National Science Centre (NCN) was launched in 2011 as the main governmental agency supporting basic research in Poland. This is achieved through the funding of research projects in all fields of sciences and humanities as well as doctoral fellowships and post-doctoral internships. NCN belongs to the cOAlition S from its beginning (September, 2018). In April, 2019 NCN announced plans to introduce open science policy, as well as the requirement for data management plan (DMP) and published guidelines for applicants to complete the DMP form in the proposal. In February 2020 members of the Council expressed their approval for a new open access policy to publications created as a result of research projects funded entirely or in part from NCN resources. The obligation to ensure open access to published research findings will apply to all projects recommended for funding under calls announced on 16 June 2020 and later (see: Introducing a policy of open access to research project publications).
The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) was established in July 2007. It is a governmental agency responsible for the funding of applied scientific research programmes and activities. Its main task is the managing and implementation of strategic scientific research that should lead directly to the development of innovations. NCBR also supports the commercialization of scientific research results.
Another important research funder is The Foundation for Polish Science, a non-governmental and non-profit institution.
The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) was established in 2017. It is responsible for coordinating state activities driving the process of internationalization of Polish academic and research institutions. Members of the Board and the Director of the Polish National Agency of Academic Exchange (NAWA) declared support for Plan S.
More information on the research landscape in Poland can be found on the EURAXESS website.