Application deadline: 31 May 2018.
1. Objective of the programme
The objective of the Polish Returns (Polish: Polskie Powroty) programme is to enable Polish scientists to return to their country and take up employment in Polish higher education institutions or research units. The programme will create optimal conditions for returning scientists to conduct in Poland world-class research and/or development work. Funds obtained as part of the Polish Returns programme will facilitate offering the returning scientists remuneration at a European level and will facilitate the forming of a project group (research team). Polish higher education institutions and research units will draw in specialists with international experience and expertise on the latest research in their respective disciplines.
2. To whom is the programme addressed?
The programme is addressed to the scientists who:
a. have Polish citizenship;
b. hold at least the PhD degree;
c. are not employed in Poland at the time of submitting the application;
d. return to the country after at least two years of documented employment at a higher education institution abroad/research or scientific institute/research department of a foreign enterprise based outside of Poland;
e. are scientifically active, which means that they have conducted research, didactic or other scientific activity during their stay outside Poland for at least two full years (in the period counted from the beginning of 2014). Allowances can be made for the possibility of interruptions in scientific activity during the two-year stay abroad (e.g. in connection with maternity leave, parental leave, fortuitous events, unforeseeable circumstances, etc).
3. What is the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) financing under the programme?
The programme is financing:
· remuneration of the returning scientist (for a period of 36-48 months) along with employer costs;
· remuneration for two members of the project group (for a period of 36-48 months) along with employer costs;
· costs of relocation;
· cost of adaptation of the workplace.
NAWA will provide the financing of projects for the duration of 36 to 48 months limited to a maximum amount of PLN 2,175,000 per project.
4. What we expect from the returning scientist?
The task of the returning scientist is to create his own project group and apply for grants to Polish and international research funding institutions, as well as to conduct and disseminate research results in renowned scientific journals or to conduct development/implementation work. As part of the projects financed in the programme, the applicants plan research activities to be carried out during the project. The returning scientist will also be able to support the host institution by combining research work with management, didactic and mentoring functions.
5. Who may apply?
Proposals can be submitted by the following institutions:
· higher education institutions,
· scientific units of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
· research institutes,
· international scientific institutes operating in the territory of the Republic of Poland
which plan to employ the returning scientist.
What is important, the institutions (applicants) do not have to incur additional costs of employment of the returning scientist and/or the members of the project group. The grant from NAWA will cover the total cost of remuneration incurred by the employer. The applicant may provide its own contribution to the project, but it is not obligatory.
6. Duration of projects
The projects should be implemented within 36 to 48 months. The implementation of the project may start no earlier than October 1, 2018 and no later than June 30, 2019.
7. When is the deadline for submission of proposals?
Proposals must be submitted by 31 May 2018 only in the NAWA ICT system, at: https://programs.nawa.gov.pl/login.
8. Project budget
Following costs are eligible:
a. remuneration of the Returning Scientist (for a period of 36-48 months) along with employer costs. The amount varies depending on the stage of his scientific career and is:
· PLN 350 000 (total cost of remuneration incurred by the employer) per year for an experienced scientist employed on a full-time basis;
· PLN 240 000 (total cost of remuneration incurred by the employer) per year for a scientist employed on a full-time basis who does not meet the criteria for experienced scientist;
b. remuneration for two members of the project group (for a period of 36-48 months) along with employer costs - PLN 180,000 in total per year;
c. costs of relocation of the returning scientist and his/her family – limited to a maximum amount of PLN 30 000;
d. cost of adaptation of the workplace – limited to a maximum amount of PLN 25 000.
For more information about Polish Returns programme, please contact the Department of Programmes for Scientists: researchers@nawa.gov.pl