INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

“I have applied to the European Commission for the possibility of changing the way funds from our regional programme [European Funds for Kujawy and Pomorze, FEdKP] are allocated for scientific research and research and development (R&D) infrastructure. The goal is for these funds to also support basic research,” said Marshal Piotr Całbecki before today’s session of the Regional Social Dialogue Council (WRDS).

The meeting, attended by the rectors of Nicolaus Copernicus University, Kazimierz Wielki University, and Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, is chaired by Voivode Michał Sztybel. The regional self-government is also represented by Vice-Marshal Zbigniew Ostrowski.

When it comes to technology, research and implementation, as well as the commercialization of science, Poland and its regions rank near the bottom in Europe. In the European Innovation Scoreboard, an annual report published by the European Commission, Poland is currently ranked 23rd (among the European Union’s 27 member states). The highest-ranked Polish region, the Warsaw Capital Region, is in 135th place, while the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region ranks 207th.

Because technology now determines development and growth, the regional self-government authorities concluded that action to improve this unfavorable situation is essential. Acceleration is necessary.

Hence the substantial investments – PLN 245 million in the FEdKP programme for R&D grants for companies, so-called networking initiatives, and the development of research infrastructure – as well as the establishment of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Scientific and Technological Centre (the Czochralski Centre) as the coordinator of activities in this field.

However, several years after these assumptions were adopted, it became clear that this model does not fully meet the expectations of part of the academic community. Therefore, a decision was made to ask the European Commission about the possibility of renegotiating the FEdKP programme in the segment concerning the financing of research and implementation activities. If the European Commission agrees, the proposals put forward by UMK, PB and UKW – including classifying universities as direct beneficiaries, expanding the catalogue of eligible support to include public research infrastructure, and increasing grants to the maximum level (up to 95 percent), with a total of PLN 30 million to be divided among UMK, UKW and PB – will be reflected in the programme provisions.

“I also asked the rectors, given that they will not be cooperating with the Czochralski Institute, to present their own research plans and projects that they would like to finance under these new rules,” Marshal Piotr Całbecki said before the start of today’s WRDS session.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office
May 28, 2026