Response to the universities’ position on the funding of science, research, and innovation
In response to the position statement issued by Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, and the Jan and Jędrzej Śniadecki Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology regarding the funding of science, research, and innovation in the region, I would like to emphasize that I continue to regard the region’s higher education institutions as key partners in shaping the social, economic, and technological development of our voivodeship. Supporting the scientific and research potential of universities and research institutions remains an important element of the region’s development policy.
Therefore, having analyzed the content of the universities’ statement, I would like to clearly assure that financial resources have been reserved for co-financing projects carried out by research institutions under the regional programme European Funds for Kujawy and Pomorze 2021–2027 (EFKP).
In their statement, the universities argue that an obstacle to obtaining these funds is the new institution established by the regional government to coordinate our R&D policy — the Prof. Jan Czochralski Kujawsko-Pomorskie Scientific and Technological Centre (KPCNT). R&D includes, among other things, the process of applying scientific research to economic development — that is, to businesses and private companies. Indeed, from the outset, the assumption of the EFKP programme was that the PLN 245 million allocated to R&D would be divided partly into direct grants for entrepreneurs and networking initiatives connecting research institutions with business (PLN 115 million), and partly into funding for the purchase of research infrastructure for universities and other research centres (PLN 130 million). Implementation was intended to take place within a partnership project coordinated and led by KPCNT, with the purchased research equipment to be transferred to its partners free of charge for use.
Despite their initial declaration of support, after two years of attempts to agree on the details, the public universities ultimately withdrew from this model of cooperation and financing. Consequently, the proposed partnership model and the goal of commercializing research results (with a 60-percent funding rate) were rejected by the universities.
Therefore, on 19 May I applied to the European Commission for approval to amend the provisions of the regional programme by expanding the catalogue of eligible support to include public research infrastructure, in line with the expectations of our universities. As a result, universities will be able to receive funding covering up to 85 percent of eligible costs, or even up to 95 percent if the project contributes to strengthening security, civil resilience, or the development of dual-use technologies. In addition, project objectives will no longer need to refer to commercialization indicators. This will restore the model of support for universities that applied during previous EU budget programming periods.
Furthermore, I would like to stress that the eligibility period for expenditures expires on 31 December 2030, which means that more than four and a half years remain for project implementation.
At the same time, I have asked the rectors of the universities in writing to provide information regarding:
- preferred types of projects for implementation, such as support for public R&D infrastructure, implementation of R&D activities, or strengthening technology transfer and cooperation with business;
- estimated financial needs;
- planned or necessary infrastructure, equipment, and organizational investments required for the development of research and scientific activities;
- the anticipated timetable for implementing these activities;
- any other relevant information that would facilitate support under the EFKP programme.
For this purpose — activities whose scope will be defined by the universities themselves — we may allocate up to PLN 90 million to be used by the end of 2030, with a co-financing level of up to 95 percent.
Another issue that requires clarification concerns the scale and allocation of the regional programme’s funds dedicated to supporting innovation. As already mentioned, the EFKP programme earmarks PLN 245 million for this purpose.
So far, approximately PLN 16 million has been used for KPCNT’s networking project and around PLN 95 million for R&D grants awarded by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Loan Fund.
I would also like to point out that KPCNT was not established as an alternative to higher education institutions, but rather as a tool for integrating the region’s scientific potential and enabling more effective use of public funds. The Centre is open in nature, and its purpose remains the creation of infrastructure accessible to enterprises, universities, and research teams from across the voivodeship.
As part of the KPCNT project, approximately PLN 40 million is planned for support of R&D infrastructure that may be fully used for commercial purposes, with the institution’s own contribution amounting to as much as 40 percent of the total investment value (for comparison: the planned allocation for universities is PLN 90 million with their own contribution amounting to only 5 or 15 percent). This is a strategic project for the programme and is responsible for achieving key economic indicators.
Finally, I would like to correct the inaccurate claim repeated in the universities’ statement that we are the only voivodeship whose regional programme does not provide support for public R&D infrastructure. There are, in fact, other voivodeships whose regional programmes neither support nor plan to support public R&D infrastructure (for example, the Pomorskie Region). In several regions that do plan such support, calls for project applications have not yet been announced. I therefore believe that projects supporting research and development potential under the new framework can also be implemented in our region within the current financial perspective.
Piotr Całbecki
Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region
29 May 2026