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NCBR allocates PLN 200 million to fight the coronavirus

PLN 200 million will go to Polish entrepreneurs and scientists who work on diagnostics, treatment and prevention of viral diseases. The National Center for Research and Development has announced the “Coronaviruses” Fast Track competition. The executive agency of the Minister of Science and Higher Education uses a proven formula for financing innovation from European Funds to counter the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, including SARS-CoV-2.

What will PLN 200 million from the Intelligent Development Program be allocated to? The NCBR has provided for three basic thematic areas which should be included in the projects submitted for co-financing:

  • Diagnostics – devices for the rapid detection of the presence of the coronavirus.
  • Treatment – research on the use of existing or new drugs, as well as work on a vaccine.
  • Prevention – preventive actions limiting the spread of the pandemic (including the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus) and actions for Polish antivirus shield: improving biosafety and protection of the society and supporting its functioning in epidemiological emergencies.

– This is the largest amount so far allocated in Poland to support innovation that will help in the fight against coronavirus – says Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Science and Higher Education Jarosław Gowin. – We hope that the work of Polish scientists
and entrepreneurs will not only help to control the currently spreading pandemic, but in the future they will allow to effectively prevent viral diseases, treat them and minimize their effects – he adds.

Enterprises, both SMEs and large companies as well as consortia consisting of entrepreneurs or entrepreneurs and research units, can apply for support. As in the previous initiatives of the National Center for Research and Development, a necessary condition for receiving a grant is the innovation of the proposed solution at least at the national level, as well as the need to implement it on the market. Importantly, the competition is dedicated to projects implemented throughout Poland: PLN 125 million will be allocated to work in less developed areas (i.e. outside the Mazowieckie Voivodeship), and PLN 75 million in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship.

– The aim of the European Funds was and is to solve the most important social and economic problems. Today, not only in our country, but at the European and global level, the greatest challenge is the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Redirecting some of the available EU funds to this fight is a natural decision. Removing the adverse effects of a pandemic for the economy is our obligation, which we consistently fulfill. Not only are we allocating further funds for this purpose, but we have also issued recommendations for institutions to take measures to facilitate the implementation of investments co-financed by the EU. The special fund law, which was adopted by the Seym on Friday, will soon expand and strengthen our anti-virus fund package – says Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, Minister of Funds and Regional Policy.

It is worth recalling that the new competition is not the only NCBR’s activities that make it easier for entrepreneurs, universities and research units to apply for grants and conduct their research and development projects during a pandemic.

– As one of the first institutions in the country that has European funds at its disposal, we proposed actions aimed at reducing the negative economic effects of the coronavirus epidemic. We extended the deadlines for calls for proposals in our competitions, we moved the panel meetings of applicants with experts to the network, we used additional digital communication tools to facilitate contact with the Center for all partners – reminds the director of the NCBR, Dr. Eng. Wojciech Kamieniecki – Now we are going even further: we are launching the savings generated in the already completed competitions and we are announcing the Fast Track, unique in its subject matter and formula. Importantly, we plan it immediately as an action with long-term effects. This is the first such initiative not only to allow us to fight the pandemic now. One of the key research areas is prevention. We believe that Polish scientists are already thinking about solutions that will be useful in a year or several years. Our task is to help them create a secure future thanks to technology – explains Kamieniecki.

The call for proposals will start May 6 and will last until December 31, 2020 r to 12.00. The competition is divided into 3 rounds: the first will run from May 6 to June 5, 2020, the second from June 6 to July 24, 2020, and the third from July 25 to December 31, 2020. The evaluation of applications will be carried out after the end of each round and will last up to 90 days.

Detailed information on of the competition are available on the NCBR website: Fast Track “Coronavirus”

The Fast Track “Coronaviruses” competition is financed by European Funds under Measure 1.1 of the Intelligent Development Operational Program “R&D projects of enterprises”, Sub-measure 1.1.1 “Industrial research and development works carried out by enterprises”.