Announcement by the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre of 6 September 2023 on the competition for funding scholarships for Ukrainian citizens

Pursuant to Article 3(1) par. 1, 2 and pt. 7 of the Act of 28 April 2022 on the Copernican Academy (Journal of Laws, item 1459) in connection with the agreement of 14 June 2023 between the Copernican Academy and the Taipei Representative Office in Poland (the “Agreement”), a competition for the funding of scholarships for Ukrainian citizens is hereby announced (the “Scholarships”).

1. I. Subject of the programme

1. Scholarships are awarded to Ukrainian citizens with a master’s or doctoral degree in economic and management sciences or legal sciences to fund internships and research and development as part of their continuing education at Nicolaus Copernicus University.
2. Fellowships shall be used in particular to support Applicants in financing the necessary activities related to the implementation of scientific research aimed at obtaining a doctoral or post-doctoral degree in the disciplines listed in point I.1.
3. The maximum amount of funding for the Scholarship is PLN 10,000 per month.
4. The duration of the Scholarship shall be no longer than 36 months.
5. The condition for obtaining a scholarship within this competition is undertaking doctoral studies at Nicolaus Copernicus University or joining a research team carrying out research or research and development at Nicolaus Copernicus University in the scientific disciplines indicated in point I.1.

1. II. Entities entitled to participate

The basis for applying for support under the Scholarship is the submission of an application by the Applicant under the conditions specified in this Announcement. Applications may be submitted by Ukrainian citizens meeting the requirements set out in sections I.1 and 5.

1. III. Conditions for participation

1. The call for applications runs until 31 October 2023.
2. Applications should be submitted to the secretariat of the Copernicus Academy at: ul. Nowogrodzka 47a (2nd floor), 00-695 Warsaw or forwarded by e-mail to: biuro@akademiakopernikanska.gov.pl.
3. The application shall be accompanied by:
• a) a certificate from the Nicolaus Copernicus University of Science and Technology on admission to doctoral studies or a statement from the Dean of the relevant College of the Nicolaus Copernicus University of Science and Technology that the candidate has been included in a specific research team within that College;
• b) the scope of the planned research with justification of the need for financial support from the Copernicus Academy;
• (c) a certificate or a copy of a document proving Ukrainian citizenship;
• (d) the recommendation of at least one independent researcher.

1. The documents listed in III. 8 b) and d) shall be submitted by the applicant in Polish and English.
2. Any application received after the deadline shall be left unprocessed and the Applicant shall be informed thereof.

1. IV. Formal assessment of the application

1. The data contained in the application and its annexes are subject to formal assessment.
2. The formal assessment of the application is carried out by the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre.
3. The formal assessment of an application includes checking that it is complete and verifying that it meets the requirements set out in the call for proposals.
4. If the application is found to be formally deficient, the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre shall set a deadline of no less than 3 days for the Applicant to supplement it, under pain of leaving the application unprocessed.
5. An application may be withdrawn at any stage of the competition procedure.
6. Proposals that have received a positive formal assessment are referred to substantive assessment.

1. V. Substantive evaluation of applications

1. Data included in the application and annexes to the application are subject to substantive assessment. Substantive appraisal is carried out by a panel of experts appointed by the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre under the terms of the Agreement.
2. Other persons with knowledge and experience necessary for the evaluation of proposals submitted under calls for proposals may also take part in the work of the panel of experts. These persons shall form part of the expert teams.
3. The panel may seek the opinion of other persons outside its membership with the knowledge and experience necessary for the evaluation of the proposals submitted under the call in question.
4. The substantive evaluation consists of the individual opinions of the panel members and the determination of the overall assessment of the proposal.
5. The substantive appraisal concludes with the establishment of a ranking list indicating the applications recommended for funding and the drafting of justifications for the final assessments.
6. The chairperson of the panel submits to the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre a ranking list indicating the proposals recommended for funding, together with written justifications.
7. If the application is successful, the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre determines the amount of funding.
8. Information on the amount of funding awarded or denied shall be communicated to the applicant together with the draft agreement for the funding of the Scholarships.
9. If formal defects of an application are found at the stage of its substantive evaluation, the expert team shall reject the application.

1. VI. Principles of Funding Scholarships
• 26. the Director of the Nicolaus Copernicus Research Centre, on behalf of the Academy, shall conclude agreements for the funding of Scholarships, which shall specify in particular:
• a) a certificate from the Nicolaus Copernicus University of Science and Technology on admission to doctoral studies or a statement from the Dean of the relevant College of the Nicolaus Copernicus University of Science and Technology that the candidate has been included in a specific research team within that College;
• the amount of funding allocated and how it is to be transferred,
• the manner and procedure for the Centre to supervise the performance of the subject matter of the contract,
• the method of accounting for the funds allocated,
• issues concerning the economic copyright or related rights resulting from the performance of the subject matter of the contract,
• issues related to the publication or possibility of disseminating the result of the implementation of the subject of the contract,
• termination conditions.