Ministry of Science
and Higher Education

About the progress of Horizon Europe

During the talks, progress and future tasks related to the implementation of the Horizon Europe Framework Program – the European Union’s largest research and innovation program, which provides aid in the amount of more than €93 billion for 2021-2027 – were discussed. The meeting was aimed at developing a strategy for promoting the program and the effective implementation of innovation in Poland by strengthening cooperation with international research organizations, companies and funding institutions.

Intensification of international cooperation

One of the topics of discussion was the intensification of contacts to engage Polish scientific and business institutions even more actively in international projects. The need to attract cooperation partners and greater interest of the commercial sector in scientific research was emphasized. Also highlighted was the need for more intense lobbying for Polish solutions in Brussels to create greater opportunities for Polish scientists to influence EU research projects.

Increasing the visibility of Polish scientists in Europe

“We want Poles to participate in key R&D teams on the international stage and for more and more funds allocated for science and innovation to make their way to Poland. We need to intensify contacts. We will certainly get university rectors interested in what you are doing. They are always eager to get involved in any initiatives. I think many of them will suggest how to promote Horizon even better. We want you to be visible. There is a huge amount of work ahead of us, but I believe that together we can achieve ambitious goals,” said Minister Dariusz Wieczorek.

Industry Contact Points

Industry Contact Points (ICPs) support the participation of Polish beneficiaries in the Horizon Europe program, which promotes research and innovation through:

• organization of and participation in specialized training courses and thematic workshops concerning the program
• organization and participation in nationwide matchmaking, networking and brokerage events targeting domestic and foreign partners in the science and business sectors
• identifying and attracting partners for projects in the program, in cooperation with research units, research funding institutions, public administration and entrepreneurs
• cooperation with international organizations and representation of Polish entities involved in the program at their forums
• information and promotional activities regarding European partnerships financed under the program
• individual consultations for researchers, research units and entrepreneurs participating in the program
• monitoring changes in the legislative environment that affect the program.

The venture has seven industry contact points:

• Contact Point for Smart and Clean Mobility, located at Łukasiewicz – Aviation Institute in Warsaw
• Contact Point for Sustainable Economy, operating at Lukasiewicz – Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals in Gliwice
• Contact Point for Medical Technologies and Health at Łukasiewicz – PORT Polish Technology Development Center in Wrocław
• Contact Point for Digital Transformation at Łukasiewicz – Poznań Institute of Technology in Poznań, Poland
• Contact Point for Industry 4.0, located at the Łukasiewicz - Industrial Research Institute for Automation and Measurements PIAP in Warsaw
• Contact Point for Low Carbon Technologies and Clean Energy at Łukasiewicz – Warsaw Institute of Technology
• Contact point at the Łukasiewicz – ITECH Institute of Innovation and Technology in Warsaw, which acts as a coordinator of ICP activities.

The Minister of Education and Science has allocated funds in the amount of PLN 45 million for the operations of ICPs in the years 2022-2027.