Who are we?

We are part of the science funding system in Poland—a system that doesn’t only include government agencies. It also has room for a non-governmental organization, an independent body that operates a little differently from state institutions but cooperates with them when needed. We are certainly united by a shared concern for science as a whole.

We differ in our source of funding. Although we sometimes ally ourselves with the public administration and take part in the process of distributing structural funds in Poland, we are a private foundation, basing our independence on the possibility of autonomous development and funding of our initiatives.

We also have a different philosophy on the division between basic science and applied science. We believe there is no sense in dividing science into basic and applied. There is only good science and bad science. Good science will always have consequences—whether for the overall benefit of society, or more visibly in the form of commercially launched products. We reject the divisions applied in the previous century and simply support excellent science.

Prof. Maciej Żylicz, president of the board, Foundation for Polish Science