Country Overviews
Introduction
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education is responsible for developing and funding research in Poland. This ministry took over the functions of the former State Committee for Scientific Research (KBN) in 2003.
Goal-oriented projects involve research, implementation and essential investments (e.g. for the start-up of new products or services). The science budget only covers part of the research costs (up to 50%, or up to 70% for small to medium-sized organisations) and the remainder is borne by the research organisations themselves. Goal-oriented projects can also be submitted by privately-owned organisations, but they must compete for funding. For larger amounts, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education identifies specific areas for research, invites organisations to submit applications and selects one or more to carry out the research.
All entities conducting research, whether private or state-owned, have an equal right to apply for all the budgetary means of the State Committee for Scientific Research. Those means may also be used abroad.
Organisations involved in transport research include the Transport Faculty of the Technical University Warsaw (Politechnika Warszawska), other technical universities, the Polish Academy of Science, the Technical Research Centre for Railways and the Institute for Road and Bridge Research (IBDiM).
National Government Departments
Ministry of Infrastructure / Ministerstwo Infrastruktury
General Directorate for National Roads and Motorways / Generalna Dyrekcia Dróg Krajowych i Autostrad
Ministry of Science and Higher Education / Ministerstwo Nauki i Szkolnictwa Wyzszego
Polish Framework Programme / Krajowy Program Ramowy
This is the first attempt in Poland to focus significant contribution towards scientific research crucial to socio-economic development of the country. Beginning in 2005, it serves as a fundamental instrument of the country's research policy outlined in the governmental strategy documents such as the National Development Plan (2007-2013). Relevant strategic research fields include transportation infrastructure, energy, the environment, and new materials and technologies.
www.eracareers-poland.gov.pl/page.html?kid=549:4596&sct=402:4716
National Foresight Programme "Poland 2020" / Narodowy Program Foresight "Polska 2020"
Initiated by the Minister of Science and Information Society Technologies, it focuses on building a medium and long-term vision (until year 2020) of development of scientific and technical policy. It includes 3 research areas and 20 topics. The topic "Transport", as well as other topics partially related to transport, is included in the research area "Sustainable Development of Poland". The two other research areas are "Information and Telecommunications Technologies" and "Security".
www.foresight.polska2020.pl
Public Research Organisations
PAN - Polish Academy of Sciences / Polska Akademia Nauk
www.pan.pl and www.english.pan.pl
