Texts by: SCIEX fellows and Anna Pavlovych, Magdalena Gessel, Sylwia Iżyniec and Katarzyna Aleksandrowicz. Managing Editor: Anna Pavlovych

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2 Publisher: Foundation for the Development of the Education System SCIEX Scholarship Fund Mokotowska 43, Warsaw tel.: , fax: Texts by: SCIEX fellows and Anna Pavlovych, Magdalena Gessel, Sylwia Iżyniec and Katarzyna Aleksandrowicz Managing Editor: Anna Pavlovych Editors: Anna Pavlovych, Magdalena Gessel Proof reading: Dr John Fells Graphic design and typesetting: Justyna Marciniak Photos by: SCIEX fellows, Wojciech Wójtowicz Printing: Oficyna drukarska Jacek Chmielewski ISBN: ISBN Fundacja Rozwoju Systemu Edukacji, 2012 Supported by a grant from Switzerland through the Swiss Contribution to the enlarged European Union

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4 Spis treści CONTENTS PREFACE 3 GENERAL INFORMATION 11 DESCRIPTION OF THE SCIEX SCHOLARSHIP FUND 15 DESCRIPTIONS OF RESEARCH PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY SCIEX FELLOWS 19 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 78

5 Innowacje to jedna z mocnych stron Szwajcarii. Szwajcarskie instytuty badań naukowych są jednymi z najlepszych na świecie. FOREIGN SCIENTIFIC POLICY IS AN ESSENTIAL PILLAR OF SWISS FOREIGN POLICY Sukces i przyszły rozwój Szwajcarii w dużej mierze opierają się na wiedzy i innowacji. Zdajemy sobie sprawę ze strategicznego znaczenia edukacji, nauki, badań i rozwoju dla naszego kraju i przykładamy stosowną wagę do tych zagadnień, które mają również duże znaczenie we współpracy i stosunkach międzynarodowych. Szwajcaria, po raz kolejny, stoi na czele rankingu Global Competitiveness Report opublikowanego przez World Economic Forum, w którym wymienionych jest 144 gospodarek światowych. Zgodnie z informacjami podanymi w raporcie, innowacje to jedna z mocnych stron Szwajcarii; instytuty badań naukowych są jednymi z najlepszych na świecie i, co więcej, intensywnie współpracują z sektorem biznesu, który ponosi największe nakłady na badania i rozwój, ma najwyższy poziom innowacyjności i jest znany ze skutecznego stosowania wyników badań do celów komercyjnych. Wyniki te potwierdzają niezwykłą odporność gospodarki szwajcarskiej na skutki kryzysu w strefie euro oraz to, że nasza długoterminowa orientacja na gospodarkę i społeczeństwo oparte na wiedzy i innowacjach stanowi właściwy kierunek rozwoju. Jednak w dzisiejszym świecie realizacja odpowiedniej polityki i właściwe podejście na poziomie krajowym nie są wystarczające. Dlatego w interesie Szwajcarii jest podnoszenie, na poziomie międzynarodowym, świadomości znaczenia kraju jako niezwykle konkurencyjnej lokalizacji dla prowadzenia badań naukowych, rozwoju technologicznego i innowacji oraz promowanie międzynarodowej współpracy w tych dziedzinach na poziomie indywidualnym i instytucjonalnym. Dlatego też współpraca zagraniczna w zakresie badań naukowych stanowi podstawę polityki zagranicznej Szwajcarii. Podczas, gdy uniwersytety i instytuty naukowe w Szwajcarii realizują niezależne strategie współpracy międzynarodowej, rząd federalny promuje działania w zakresie współpracy międzynarodowej prowadzonej za pomocą wielu kanałów, np. poprzez uczestnictwo Szwajcarii w europejskich organizacjach i programach badawczych (takich jak programy badawcze UE: CERN, ESA i inne) oraz za pomocą współpracy dwustronnej z ważnymi krajami partnerskimi. Polska jest ważnym partnerem dla naszego kraju i Szwajcarsko-Polski Program Współpracy finansowany przez Szwajcarię zapewnia wyjątkową możliwość zwiększenia i zacieśnienia współpracy i partnerstwa pomiędzy naszymi społecznościami naukowymi. Od Mikołaja Kopernika po Marię Curie-Skłodowską, Polska ma wspaniałe tradycje naukowe. Po 20 latach od przyjęcia modelu gospodarki rynkowej, priorytety Polski skłaniają się ku badaniom i innowacjom. Dzięki dużym zasobom wysoko wykwalifikowanych i zmotywowanych pracowników, Polska zapewnia obiecujące możliwości zacieśnienia współpracy dwustronnej w dziedzinie nauki, badań i innowacji. Jestem przekonany, że Program wymiany naukowej między Szwajcarią a nowymi państwami członkowskimi Unii Europejskiej SCIEX-NMSch będzie mieć znaczący wkład w tym zakresie i będzie promować bliskie stosunki pomiędzy osobami prywatnymi i instytucjami w naszych krajach, które będą kontynuowane jeszcze po zakończeniu programu. Program wymiany naukowej powinien również promować dwustronną wymianę i współpracę w zakresie efektywnego transferu i upowszechniania wiedzy na rzecz gospodarki i rozwoju innowacyjnych sektorów, takich jak odnawialne źródła energii, nowe technologie oraz w wielu innych dziedzinach, w których Szwajcaria ma wiele do zaoferowania. JE LUKAS BEGLINGER Ambasador Szwajcarii w Polsce Projekty badawcze realizowane w ramach Funduszu Stypendialnego SCIEX NMS ch cele i osiągnięcia Podsumowanie projektów

6 Innovation counts among Switzerland s main strengths. Swiss scientific research institutions are among the world s best research programmes, CERN, ESA, etc.), and through bilateral cooperation with important partner countries. Switzerland s success and future development are based and depend to a large extent on its knowledge and innovation capacities. Hence, we recognize the strategic importance of education, science, research and development for our country and act accordingly. And we attach equal importance to this field in our international relations and cooperation. In the latest Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum, Switzerland is again ranked first among 144 economies. According to the report, innovation counts among Switzerland s main strengths; its scientific research institutions are not only among the world s best, but they also cooperate strongly with the business sector which in turn excels in terms of R&D spending, innovative capacities and their successful application for commercial purposes. These findings confirm as much as the Swiss economy s remarkable resilience to the consequences of the Eurozone crisis that our longstanding orientation towards a knowledge and innovation-based economy and society is the right way forward. In today s world, however, it is not enough to pursue adequate policies and to do things right at the domestic level. It is in Switzerland s interest to increase international awareness of its strengths as a highly competitive location for scientific research, technological development and innovation and to promote its worldwide cooperation in these fields at personal and institutional levels. That is why foreign scientific policy is an essential pillar of Swiss foreign policy. While Swiss universities and research institutions pursue their own international strategies and cooperation activities, the federal government promotes international cooperation through multilateral channels, e.g. Switzerland s participation in European research organisations and programmes (such as EU Poland clearly is an important partner, and the Swiss-Polish Scientific Exchange Programme financed by the Swiss Contribution offers a unique opportunity to enhance and strengthen cooperation and partnership between our scientific communities. From Copernicus to Maria Curie-Skłodowska, Poland looks back on a great tradition of scientific excellence. After 20 years of successful transition to a free market economy, it is now in the process of shifting its priorities towards research and innovation. In conjunction with its large pool of well qualified and motivated human resources, this offers a promising base for a closer and intensified bilateral relationship in the fields of science, research and innovation. I trust that the Swiss-Polish Scientific Exchange Programme will make a major contribution to that end and help foster solid personal and institutional ties between our countries that will outlive the Programme s duration. The Programme should equally be conducive to fostering bilateral exchange and cooperation with regard to the effective transfer and diffusion of knowledge to the economy and the development of innovative sectors such as renewable energy, high tech industries and many other fields where Switzerland has plenty to offer. JE LUKAS BEGLINGER AMBASSADOR OF SWITZERLAND TO POLAND Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects

7 Scientific Exchange Programme between Switzerland and Poland (Sciex-NMS ch ) is a very attractive instrument that aims at promoting young talented scientists The Swiss Contribution to the reduction of the economic and social disparities in the enlarged European Union, which is addressed to 12 EU Member States that joined the European Union starting from 2004, amounts to 1.26 billion Swiss francs. Nearly 40% of this total sum is dedicated to Poland in order to support 60 projects and programmes in different thematic areas, like for instance environment and infrastructure, regional development, health, private sector and NGO support. Additionally, the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme puts a lot of emphasis in supporting Research and Development initiatives in Poland. In this field, the Scientific Exchange Programme between Switzerland and Poland (Sciex-NMS ch ) is a very attractive instrument that aims at promoting young talented scientists who intend to pursue their research in cooperation with Swiss researchers and institutions. It allows Polish fellows to benefit namely from high standards in research and experimental development, a highly innovative and competitive environment, strong linkages between higher education and industries as well as private business, etc. Up to now, several calls took place within this programme and around 100 Doctoral Candidates or PostDocs received financing for stays in Swiss research teams for periods of 6 to 24 months. The project selection is done by a high level competition. In each call, around 25% of the applicants could be selected. These figures show the attractiveness of the Programme and its success among both, the Polish and the Swiss research communities. But more important than that, the selected proposals are all of extremely high quality. And they will bring people of both our countries together and enhance sustainable partnerships. DOMINIQUE FAVRE HEAD OF THE SWISS CONTRIBUTION OFFICE IN POLAND 4

8 The SCIEX Scholarship Fund places emphasis on quality and sustainability of relations and contacts, quick processing of applications and boosting professional development of researchers Poland s entry to the European Union has resulted in the need to actively participate in the shaping of European policy which aims to introduce a competitive and dynamic economy, which is based on knowledge, is capable of sustainable development, and provides more and better jobs. Therefore, large emphasis has been placed on research and development as it plays a major role in the development of Poland, and in increase of innovativeness and competitiveness of the Polish economy. In Poland, research and development is conducted mainly by universities, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences and R&D units. Since 2009, Polish scientists have been able to apply for grants to work at research institutes in Switzerland as part of the Scholarship Fund under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Programme. It is worth emphasising that the Scholarship Fund places emphasis on quality and sustainability of relations and contacts, quick processing of applications and boosting the professional development of researchers. The participation of Polish scientists in international programmes has brought many benefits. It has allowed them to obtain access to the latest technology and to participation in major scientific initiatives. It is thanks to such programmes as the Scholarship Fund that Polish science is getting closer to the international scientific scene, especially that in Europe. Also Switzerland benefits from such cooperation as it acquires excellent and gifted Polish scientists. The Fund also provides evidence that Polish scientists are among the best and that their work is appreciated at HEIs abroad, something confirmed by numerous scientific contacts. As a result, Polish scientists are ready to participate in competitions prepared by foreign experts. We have confidence that Poland will continue fruitful cooperation with Switzerland within the scope of support for academic mobility. MAŁGORZATA WIERZBICKA DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL COORDINATION UNIT SWISS-POLISH COOPERATION PROGRAMME The Fund, which realises the priorities for social and economic development of our country, is open to all scientific disciplines. It has provided funding to nearly 100 scientific mobilities to Switzerland worth in total more than CHF 8 million. However, this is not a final number as we have two more competitions ahead of us and more projects waiting for cofinancing. Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects

9 SUPPORT FOR THE MOBILITY OF DOCTORAL CANDIDATES AND SCIENTISTS IS ONE OF SINE QUA NON PRECONDITIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INNOVATIVE AND MORE COMPETI- TIVE ECONOMY WITH STABLE GROWTH IN EMPLOY- MENT NUM- BERS

10 It is of no doubt that exchange of experiences, which can and should be promoted by doctoral candidates and scientists, is pivotal to the Europe of knowledge Principles of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund have become an inherent part of the Europe 2020 strategy for social and economic development in the of area academic and scientific cooperation, raising education standards at HEIs by boosting the number of scientific mobilities, the development of innovativeness, and creating sustainable links between the worlds of science, business and research. Support for, and modernisation of, higher education, including the mobility of doctoral candidates and scientists are sine qua non preconditions for the development of an innovative and more competitive economy with stable growth in employment numbers. It is of no doubt that exchange of experiences, which can and should be promoted by doctoral candidates and scientists, is pivotal to the Europe of knowledge. Aiming at the proposed R&D to GDP expenditure ratio of 1.7%, which our country should achieve in 2020, we should learn from the best. At present, Switzerland spends 2.9% of its GDP for R&D, whereas the EU s goal is 3% of GDP allocated for that purpose. The majority of Swiss scientists who work at HEIs publish the results of their work in periodicals included in the Philadelphia List at least once a year. A statistical Polish scientist does it once in three years. However, the estimates show that an increase in outlays for Polish science by only 10% will result in the growth of scientific effectiveness by 40% (data according to the report entitled Produktywność naukowa wyższych szkół publicznych w Polsce (Scientific Productivity of Public HEIs in Poland)). Foundation for the Development of the Education System has acted as a Contact Point in Poland since Polish- Swiss cooperation established as part of the implementation of projects by fellows of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund has paved the way for the transfer of good practices and innovations and resulted in improved quality at HEIs who are members of research consortia. Some discoveries and successes of Polish scientists conducting research and working in Switzerland have become known all over the world. Over the past few years, more than 100 Poles have participated in the research resulting in the launch of the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, thanks to which the discovery of a new elementary particle, which may be the long sought after Higgs boson, has been announced. I believe that thanks to the projects implemented by Polish fellows of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund, the results of their work, which so far have been known only in scientific circles, will become known to the general public. I am convinced that thanks to research projects implemented as part of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund, cooperation established by Polish and Swiss scientific consortia will strengthen links between the world of science, business and research, and will boost the attractiveness and prestige of Polish scientific circles in the international arena. Have an interesting read. MIROSŁAW MARCZEWSKI GENERAL DIRECTOR FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM Higher expenditure on research and intensified cooperation between Polish and Swiss scientists has been possible thanks to the launch of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund, for whom the Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects

11 The Scientific Exchange Programme: a successful and promising instrument to strengthen the scientific collaboration between Poland and Switzerland Poland is the largest partner within the Scientific Exchange Programme with the highest budget of 12 million Swiss Francs and, consequently, the highest number of granted projects (89 in 4 different calls for tenders knowing that Poland will participate in 2 more calls for tenders until the end of the Programme). As part of the Swiss Contribution to the New Member States (NMS) of the European Union, the Scientific Exchange Programme (Sciex-NMS ch ) aims at contributing to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the enlarged European Union through fostering the scientific capacities of researchers in the NMS and promoting sustainable research partnerships between the NMS and Switzerland. The Scientific Exchange Programme provides generous funding and a unique opportunity for Junior Researchers from the New Member States first to boost their scientific career, second to develop new capacities and search in a new scientific environment liberated from any further academic obligations and with optimal research and working conditions, and, finally, to gain international experience and extend their scientific networks. Furthermore, through these research placements, institutional partnerships are enhanced and sustainably established. A total amount of approx. 45 million Swiss Francs has been earmarked for the Scientific Exchange Programme for the duration 2009 to Since its beginning, around 300 Fellowships were granted, which means that a part of the innovative projects of 300 highly qualified Junior Researchers will be conducted in Switzerland under the supervision of Senior Researchers, located both in Switzerland and in the New Member States. At the end, around 460 twelve-months Fellowships are expected. The granted projects are gender-balanced and are mainly conducted by PostDocs (53 vs. 36 by Doctoral Candidates). The granted projects are developed in all scientific fields but the most represented fields are Chemistry (15 projects), Engineering Sciences (11 projects) and Legal and Social Sciences & Economics (11 projects). More than 60% of the granted projects have a duration of 12 months. Mandated by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the Rectors Conference of the Swiss Universities (CRUS) is in charge of the implementation and management of the Scientific Exchange Programme. CRUS is proud of being part of this success story, of the culture of excellence which has merged within the Scientific Exchange Programme and of the diversity of the projects conducted. The Scientific Exchange Programme generates namely an impressive amount of new discoveries, knowledge, ideas and scientific networks. This publication realized by our Polish partners from FRSE allows us to have an insight in some of the Polish-Swiss granted projects. CRUS wishes you to enjoy the reading! AUDE PACTON SCIEX PROGRAMME MANAGER RECTORS CONFERENCE OF THE SWISS UNIVERSITIES (CRUS) 8

12 From among new member states of the European Union, Poland is the country which sends the largest number of scientists with support of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund. So far, 96 projects have obtained co-financing Switzerland stands not only for watches, Lindt chocolate, fondue, skiing in the Alps and its four official languages. It is also famous for highly valued scientists, among them 25 Nobel prize laureates such as, to mention only two: Jean Henri Dunant laureate of the first peace prize, and Werner Arber and Kurt Wüthrich prize winners in the field of medicine and chemistry, who may be followed by Polish scientists participating in scientific exchanges as part of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund. The founding of scientific partnerships that develop the capacities of individual scientists and lead to establishment and strengthening of cooperation between scientists from Switzerland and Poland is the main goal of projects implemented as part of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund. From among the new member states of the European Union, Poland is the country which sends the largest number of scientists with support of the Fund. Since 2009, 333 applications have been filed and 96 projects have obtained co-financing. And their number is bound to grow, because as of the date of this publication the data for the 2012 selection are not yet known. We will also have the last selection round in 2013, and it is worth mentioning that CHF 12 million has been earmarked for the Scholarships programme. From the beginning of its operations, the SCIEX Scholarship Fund has enjoyed considerable interest on the part of scientists as it offers opportunities for the development of professional careers at the world s best research centres, which indeed is a very attractive offer. Scholarships in Switzerland pave the way for the international careers of Polish scientists. Many young scientists have conducted research in, and benefited from being immersed in the international and intercultural environment of, Swiss HEIs, from consultations with foreign experts and from access to advanced scientific facilities. This publication presents the experiences of the SCIEX Scholar ship Fund fellows and quotes their opinions on implemented projects. It also describes the added value of their stays in Switzerland for their professional and scientific careers. We hope that contacts established and friendships made during implementation of projects will last after their completion and bring mutual benefits in the future. I hope you will enjoy reading this publication and have many ideas for inspiring projects submitted as part of the last call for proposals under the fund, which will be staged in autumn 2013! KATARZYNA ALEKSANDROWICZ DIRECTOR OF SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects

13 THE MAIN GOAL OF THE FRSE IS SUPPORT OF ACTIVITIES AIMED AT THE REFORM AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM OF EDUCATION IN POLAND

14 GENERAL INFORMATION

15 THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM ADMINISTERS THE LARGEST PROGRAMMES IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION IMPLEMENTED IN POLAND

16 Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) Contact Point of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund The main goal of the Foundation for the Development of the Education System is support of activities aimed at the reform and development of the system of education in Poland. In order to achieve this goal, the Foundation: administers foreign cooperation programmes in the field of education; supports analytical and case studies implemented as part of the programmes, which support the reform of the education system; programmes the cooperation of Polish educational institutions with their counterparts abroad; initiates cooperation with Polish and foreign educational institutions and organisations. Operations of the Foundation, which facilitate the participation of school and university staff in assistance programmes aimed at improving the quality of education, support the reform and the development of the education system in Poland. The programmes put into practice a number of initiatives of the European Union, whose priorities include: increasing the number of investments in human resources; getting rid of social divisions and inequality; supporting educational aspirations; promoting cooperation aimed at improving the quality of educational services; promoting lifelong learning. The Foundation for the Development of the Education System (FRSE) administers the largest programmes of the European Union in the field of education implemented in Poland. FRSE was the sole operator of the Tempus programme, which supported the modernisation of higher education in Central and Eastern European countries. Thanks to the experience acquired during the administration of the Tempus programme, following the European Commission s decision to include Poland in the group of countries participating in the Socrates programme, the Foundation became the National Agency of the Socrates and Socrates II programmes, and for many years was responsible for managing all its subprogrammes; Erasmus, Grundtvig and Comenius. FRSE has also administered the Youth programme in the field of informal education, which since 2007 has been called the Youth in Action programme. In 2007, according to the decision of the Polish educational authorities, FRSE was appointed as the central institution responsible for the implementation of the Lifelong Learning Programme and all its sub-programmes: Comenius, Erasmus, Grundtvig and Leonardo da Vinci. The Foundation also acts as the National Contact Point for Erasmus Mundus and Tempus programmes, as the National Office of Eurodesk Poland and as a Resource Centre of SALTO EECA which is an EU initiative promoting cooperation with the countries of Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. FRSE also manages the European Language Label competition and the etwinning action. Last but not least, the Polish EURY- DICE Unit operates at the Foundation (Eurydice is a European educational information network). Programmes administered by FRSE: The Lifelong Learning Programme and its sub-programmes: Comenius preschool and school education, Erasmus higher education, Leonardo da Vinci vocational education and training, Grundtvig adult education, Study Visits, LLP Preparatory Visits; Youth in Action; Erasmus Mundus; Tempus; EURODESK; SALTO EECA; European Language Label; etwinning; EURYDICE; Polish-Lithuanian Youth Exchange Fund; Scholarship and Training Fund (STF); SCIEX Scholarship Fund; Human Capital Operational Programme three projects implemented as part of Priority III: High Quality of the Education System. Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects

17 SINCE 2009, THE FOUNDATION FOR THE DE- VELOPMENT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM HAS OPERATED AS A CONTACT POINT FOR THE SCIEX SCHOLARSHIP FUND IN POLAND

18 Description of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund Poland is the country which sends the largest number of scientists for SCIEX Scholarships The Scientific Exchange Programme, as part of which the SCIEX Scholarship Fund is implemented, aims at contributing to the reduction of economic and social disparities in the enlarged European Union through fostering the scientific capacities of researchers in new member states and promoting sustainable research partnerships between the ten new member states and Switzerland. The Fund was launched in 2009 as part of the Scientific Exchange Programme between Switzerland and new member states of the European Union SCIEX NMS ch for the years As part of the Programme, it is possible to apply for grants for the implementation of research programmes in all academic disciplines, as part of which two scientists or two units (one from Switzerland and one from a new member state) wish to cooperate, provided that they avail of indispensable specialist knowledge and qualified human resources. Scientists working at prestigious research and educational institutions in 10 new member states, including Poland, are immediate beneficiaries of the programme. From the very beginning, the programme has enjoyed large interest on the part of scientists, and each year the applications outnumber the available posts. So far, 96 Polish scientists have been to work in Switzerland under the programme. From among the new member states of the European Union, Poland is the country which sends the largest number of scientists for SCIEX Scholarships. In 2011, Polish scientists obtained CHF 1.7 million for staging scientific research in Switzerland. Polish research projects constitute nearly 44% of all the applications financed under the programme. Thanks to the exchanges, doctoral students, scientists and their mentors have many opportunities to share their experiences and raise their professional qualifications. The SCIEX Scholarship Fund is addressed to representatives of all fields of science with no age limitation. Doctoral candidates and PostDocs can leave for research stays in Switzerland lasting from 6 to 24 months. An annual scholarship amounts to from CHF 50,000 to 80,000 CHF. Goals of the Fund The main goal of projects implemented as part of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund is to establish scientific partnerships which will: develop individual researchers capacities (human capital); foster scientific progress and innovation (scientific prospects); establish or enhance networks between researchers (networking). The Fund s Budget The total Fund allocation for Poland amounts to CHF 12 million. Who can apply? Consortia composed of scientific and research institutes from Switzerland and Poland can apply for grants under the Scholarship Fund. The main applicant is a Swiss host institution, which acting in cooperation with a sending institution from Poland, coordinates the application process and within the deadline stipulated for each Call sends the application to the intermediary institution, i.e. the Swiss Conference of University Rectors (CRUS). The list of eligible Polish institutions is published on the following website: and includes: HEIs, units of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and national research institutes. The list of eligible Swiss institutions is published on the following website: and includes: HEIs, research institutions of the federal institutes of technology domain, universities of applied sciences and research institutions subsidised by the Swiss Confederation. Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects

19 Prior to filing an application under the Scientific Exchange Programme between Switzerland and New Member States of the European Union (SCIEX NMS ch ), a host institution from Switzerland must sign a framework cooperation agreement with CRUS, which includes an obligation to observe the provisions of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. What projects can be funded? As part of the SCIEX Scholarship Fund, a consortium composed of a Polish sending institution and Swiss host institution may apply for co-financing of the following projects: Scholarships for Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (PostDocs) from Poland, in order to conduct research at research institutes in Switzerland. Scholarships are awarded for a period lasting from 6 to 24 months. The contribution for a six-month stay of a Doctoral Candidate amounts to CHF 25,000 in the first year and CHF 27,500 in the second year. Grants awarded to Junior Researchers amount to CHF 40,000. Additional funds are earmarked for the reimbursement of e.g. travel costs (up to a given limit). Stays of individual scientists from Poland or Switzerland in order to prepare research projects or stays related to their implementation, i.e. 5-day stays in Switzerland or Poland, the co-financing of which amounts to CHF 2,500. The supported projects should contribute to raising professional qualifications and the development of scientific and research cooperation. Calls for proposals Calls for proposals are staged annually. The last Call for proposals by Polish-Swiss scientific consortia is planned for autumn Eligible project costs Table 1. Eligible costs of scholarships for Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers from Poland Category Scholarship Transport Other Eligible costs Scholarship: Doctoral Candidates CHF 50,000 over the first 12 months of the stay Doctoral Candidates CHF 55,000 over the next 12 months of the stay Junior Researchers CHF 80,000 over the 12 months of the stay (max. length of the stay 18 months) Costs of travel between Poland and Switzerland (max. CHF 1,000) Transport in Switzerland (max. CHF 1,000) Participation in conferences (including external catering and hotel accommodation costs) Publication costs (max. CHF 500) Table 2.. Eligible costs of short research visits by scientists from Switzerland and Poland Category Transport Accommodation and board Eligible costs (max. CHF 2,500) Costs of travel between Poland and Switzer land. Transport within the country. Hotel accommodation costs Expenses 16

20 The SCIEX Scholarship Fund is addressed to representatives of all fields of science with no age limitation Contact SCIEX Contact Point in Poland Foundation for the Development of the Education System ul. Mokotowska Warsaw tel.: Intermediary Institution for the Scholarship Fund Rektorenkonferenz der Schweizer Universitäten (Conference of Swiss University Rectors (CRUS)) International Relations of CRUS Post box 607 CH Bern 9 tel.: sciex@crus.ch Swiss Contribution Office in Poland Address for correspondence: Swiss Embassy in Poland Swiss Contribution Office in Poland Aleje Ujazdowskie Warsaw tel.: warsaw@sdc.net National Coordination Unit Ministry of Regional Development Department for Aid Programmes and Technical Assistance ul. Wspólna 2/ Warsaw tel.: sppw@mrr.gov.pl Open Calls for proposals 1 st Call for proposals 2009 As part of the 1 st call for proposals 2009 (deadline for submitting applications: 1 November 2009), 77 applications were submitted to CRUS. Co-financing was awarded to 26 projects (more than 33%), out of which 13 projects were implemented by Poland and the total grant exceeded CHF 1,000,000. Among the co-financed projects was one from Estonia and 12 from the Czech Republic. In the 1 st Call for proposals the total contribution exceeded CHF 1,900,000, including: CHF 1,021,500 awarded to Poland CHF 78,500 awarded to Estonia CHF 800,000 awarded to the Czech Republic Research projects were implemented by: cantonal universities (16); the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (7); research institutes (3). 12 researchers were women, and 14 researchers were men. 2 nd Call for proposals 2010 As part of the 2nd Call for proposals closed on 1 April 2010, 106 applications were filed, including: 6 from Estonia 7 from Slovenia 15 from Lithuania 58 from Poland 20 from Hungary On 26 August 2010, the Steering Committee made a decision to co-finance 26 research projects from Poland out of 58 Research Projects Implemented as Part of the Scientific Exchange Programme NMS ch Objectives and Achievements Summary of Projects