NCBR launches first call for universities under new financial framework

‘Education for the Needs of Core Industries’ is the first call launched by the National Centre for Research and Development under the European Funds for Social Development programme. 200 million PLN (approx. 45 million euros) will be granted to universities to stimulate the development of fields of studies educating personnel to meet the needs of selected industries crucial for the development of the economy, such as: renewable energy, agriculture and food industry, aerospace and transport.

The call for applications was launched on the 15th of May and will be open until 10th of July this year. The call aims at improving the quality of education and the development of competencies and is being implemented under the 'Skills' priority of the European Funds for Social Development (FERS) programme, the successor of the Knowledge for Development programme appreciated by higher education institutions. Its objective is to strengthen modern higher education, which relevantly responds to economic challenges and the related needs of the labour market.

Within the call, with a budget of 200 million PLN (aprox. 45 million euros), higher education institutions will pursue comprehensive activities in the fields of study that educate for the needs of selected industries essential for the development of the economy, such as renewable energy, agriculture and food industry, aerospace and transport. This will help shape their offer to match the modern economy and the green and digital transformation.

Applications can be submitted by higher education institutions, pursuing projects independently or in a partnership - either with another higher education institution or entity operating in the social and economic environment. If a partnership is established, a justification should be provided. Funding will be granted to the projects that will cover a range of activities, forming a comprehensive support programme, implemented in the field or fields of study related to the specified industries and ensuring the development of students and personnel involved in the implementation of the educational process - in order to adapt the offer of the entities of the higher education system to the needs of the development of the economy, as well as green and digital transformation.

Funding is available for activities related to the didactic or research and teaching activities of academic personnel: participation in courses, trainings, internships, study visits (national and international) and other forms of exchange of knowledge and experience with practitioners working professionally in the industries of interest to the call.

Additional points in the evaluation can be obtained if the higher education institution has at least one year (by the date of the application) of documented cooperation with employers or entities operating in the social and economic environment from the industries whose needs are addressed in the call, with regard to the practical elements of education.

Rewarded will be also the partnership with at least one entity representing core industries specified in the call, as such a partnership favours permanent cooperation and its continuation after the end of project activities. It will also be beneficial for the applicants if the field or fields of study, which apply for support in the project, educate for the needs of core industries included in the areas of Regional Smart Specialisations of the region in which the higher education institution is located.

The complementarity with other projects implemented under the current or previous financial framework as well as employment of a person with disability for the implementation of the project, will also be taken into account during the evaluation.

The maximum funding in the call 'Education for the Needs of Core Industries' is 97% of the project value.