28 rectors of Polish HEIs signed an agreement establishing the Polish Conference of Doctoral Schools.

The tasks of the Polish Conference of Doctoral Schools include mutual cooperation and development of doctoral schools; exchange of information on ongoing projects concerning doctoral education; mutual promotion of projects carried out by doctoral schools; implementation of joint projects aimed at doctoral students; joint application to competent units in order to obtain interpretation and interpretation of the legal regulations concerning doctoral education and operation of doctoral schools.

The Rectors appointed their representatives to form a Steering Committee. The first Head of the Committee was unanimously elected Dr Ilona Świątek-Barylska, Professor at the University of Łódź (UŁ) – Director of the Doctoral School in Social Sciences at the University of Łódź.