COST Info Day – Poland

21/09/2021

Polish researchers have played a vital role in over 600 COST Actions since the country joined in 1991. The Info Day aimed to encourage a new wave of involvement from the Polish R&I community by highlighting the many benefits of pan-European networking.  

On Friday 17 September, an audience of 200 people joined from across Poland, to take part in an online Info Day. The Info Day was organised by PolSCA / Polish Science Contact Agency, in conjunction with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the COST National Coordinator. It was moderated by Dr Tomasz Poprawka, Director at the Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA) in Brussels. The event aimed to inform members of the R&I community about the role and impact of the COST programme and inform attendees how they could take part.

The event was held in two parts, the first half was held in English, with member of the COST Association, explaining the overall COST programme. Director of the COST Association, Ronald de Bruin introduced the event, warmly encouraging Polish researchers to take advantage of pan-European networking. He also highlighted the excellent performance of Poland in COST and encouraged its young researchers and innovators to play a more active role in COST Actions by applying for leadership positions, explaining to attendees that several training courses, such as Leadership and Management induction were offered at COST to help young researchers.

The second half of the event was held in Polish and aimed to demonstrate the added value and benefits of COST Actions through personal testimonials, panel discussions and more technical details, such as the nomination process by the COST National Coordinator.

polish info day

Testimonials from COST Action participants

Prof. Danuta Kruk, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, European Network on NMR Relaxometry (CA15209)

Prof. Kruk stressed the impact of networking while submitting proposals for COST Actions. She mentioned huge responsibility of the applicants who might represent even up to 200 participants in this process, but also broadening of scientific community, discovering how others work on their projects and gaining recognizability as a researcher. COST makes combining different disciplines possible – Prof. Kruk said that without COST she would never apply for interdisciplinary projects. 

Dr Tomasz Bochenek, Jagiellonian University in Cracow, European Medicines Shortages Research Network (CA15105)

According to Dr. Bochenek, COST gives numerous opportunities for international academic networking, while participation in COST Action can have a snowball effect for those involved. In this regard, COST acts as an “incubator” of new scientific ideas and technological solutions, it may help to develop new fields of research and truly boost academic careers. In his experience, it helps to build bridges between research community and world beyond the academia. Moreover, it is also a matter of certain prestige to be a part of COST Action.

Dr Piotr Wciślik, Digital Humanities Centre at the Institute of Literary Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences, New Exploratory Phase in Research on East European Cultures of Dissent (CA16213)

Dr Wciślik underlined the huge scope of work while submitting proposals for COST Actions – cooperation with a strong group of peers representing various research communities across Europe. As a matter of fact, a case of the COST Action he is involved in is a story of persistence and resilience, as it builds on previous experiences of the network.  He drew attention to a number of positive outcomes of the ongoing project: ranging from world-class publications, through strengthened prestige and international recognizability of parties involved. Finally, COST-based networking helped in the process of success applying for subsequent European grants.

Polish involvement in COST networking activities

Since joining COST in 1991, Polish researchers have demonstrated a strong commitment to the programme through participation and leadership of COST Actions. Over 8000 researchers from the country have taken part in more than 600 Actions; including holding the role of Chair in 10 Actions, as well as 117 other key leadership positions. COST Actions have proven to be a successful access tool for younger researchers and female researchers to develop their pan-European networking experience.

Inspired to join or propose a COST Action?

COST creates spaces where scientists are in the driving seat (bottom-up) and ideas can grow through a flexible and open approach. By enabling researchers from academia, industry and the public and private sector to work together in open networks that transcend borders, COST helps to advance science, stimulates knowledge sharing and pools resources.

Browse all of our running COST Actions to find a research network to join here, or alternatively propose your own network; The Open Call deadline is 29 October 2021.

Further reading

COST Member page Poland

Link to event

Polish Science Contact Agency (PolSCA)

Business & Science Poland

Polska Akademia Nauk

The Polish Ministry of Education and Science

Polish National Centre for Research and Development Office