At the initiative of the Ministry of Education and Science (MEiN), the budget of the National Science Center (NCN) has been increased this year by PLN 30 million. Additional funds will be allocated to funding research under calls for proposals announced by the National Science Center.

The main goal of the NCN is to support the most valuable research by funding research projects, scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships.

During the ten years of its operation, the National Science Center has awarded nearly 23,000 grants for the best research conducted in Poland. A few years ago, the budget of the National Science Center allowed financing about 25 percent of projects submitted in individual calls, at present this ratio is only about 15 percent on average.

By the decision of the NCN Council, the additional amount granted this year by MEiN will be directed to the SONATINA and MINIATURE competitions. Scientists starting their career (up to three years after their PhD) may apply for grants in the SONATINA call. People who have not managed grants from the National Science Center so far, or have not been recipients of scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships, can apply for the MINIATURA grant.