The National Centre for Research and Development

The National Centre for Research and Development is the Programme Operator of the “Applied research and innovation” Programme, implemented under the EEA Grants. The Programme Operator is a Polish public institution responsible for managing the Programme. 

The Programme Operator is responsible for organising calls, evaluating proposals, and funding research projects. The programme partners on the Donor States’ side are The Research Council of Norway (RCN) and The Icelandic Centre for Research (Rannis).  

The "Applied research and innovation" Programme aims to enhance the quality of scientific research and innovation in Poland and increase their practical application in the economy and society. Its core idea is to integrate science with its broader environment so that research results translate into concrete solutions addressing contemporary challenges, aligned with the three priorities of the EEA Grants: 

• European green transition 

• Democracy, rule of law, and human rights 

• Social inclusion and resilience 

The total budget of the Programme exceeds €94 million, and the final date of cost eligibility is 30 April 2031. 

The Programme provides support in several key areas. It offers substantial funding for research and innovation projects, both as international projects involving partners from Poland and the Donor States, and also grants supporting the early career stages of female researchers. It also emphasises the development of competencies among researchers and research-support staff by financing activities that build skills related to the use of research results for societal and economic benefit. Another important element is supporting interdisciplinarity and cross‑sector cooperation, enabling the creation of innovative solutions with strong implementation potential. 

Within the Programme, two calls for research projects and two calls supporting research capacity are planned: 

• POLNORIS: bilateral research and innovation projects in an international format with partners from Poland and the Donor States; budget: €70 million; call announcement: June 2026; application period: September–December 2026 

• Call 2: research and innovation projects for early‑stage female researchers; budget: €15 million; call announcement planned for Q1 2027 

• Call 3: Support for dissemination and valorisation of research results; allocation: €3,086,765; call announcement planned for 2027 

• Call 4: Bilateral Cooperation Fund; allocation: €500,000 

Each research and innovation project must align with at least one of the three priorities defined in the key programme document outlining the use of funds — the Blue Book: Europe’s green transition; democracy, rule of law and human rights; social inclusion and resilience. 

The Programme covers all scientific disciplines. 

The Programme goes beyond funding research — it is a comprehensive mechanism supporting the development of science, its practical application, and the creation of lasting links between science, the economy, and society.