The Foundation for Polish Science announces information on the planned call for applications under the First Team measure financed by the European Funds for a Smart Economy 2021–2027 programme. Call No. 1/2026 will be conducted between 20 January 2026 and 17 February 2026. Applications may be submitted in Polish or English.
Description of the First Team initative
First Team is implemented by the Foundation for Polish Science and aims to encourage the best young researchers from around the world to work in Polish research organisations and to develop international and economic cooperation. Under First Team, early-career researchers can apply for funding to set up a new research team and conduct R&D work in collaboration with a foreign scientific partner and a domestic economic partner. The First Team initiative is also intended to increase the competitiveness of Polish applications submitted to ERC competitions.
Who can apply for funding
Applicants for the funds may be research organisations that designate a person to act as the principal investigator of the project. This is the author of the research concept presented in the application. They must hold at least a doctoral degree obtained no later than 2 and no earlier than 9 years before the deadline for submitting applications in the call, with the start of this period being the date on which the degree was obtained. The 9-year period may be extended if the conditions described in the Project Selection Criteria are met, in particular due to career breaks related to parenthood.
What can be funded
Funding is available for original research and development work that has potential implementation value and significance in the context of solving economic or socio-economic problems. The thematic scope of the projects is not limited to specific fields of science, but refers to the priorities included in the list of National Smart Specialisations. As part of the project, cooperation with at least one foreign scientific partner and one domestic economic partner is mandatory, with financial support being granted only to the research organisation (applicant).
Funding does not cover basic research.
Amount of funding
A single project may receive funding of up to PLN 4 million. Funds are awarded through a competition. A total of PLN 52 million has been allocated to projects in call No. 1/2026.
Method and deadline for submitting applications
Applications will be accepted between 20 January 2026 and 17 February 2026, until 4 p.m. Polish time.
The application and attachments to the application must be completed in Polish or English in electronic form via the FNP electronic system at: https://wnioski2023.fnp.org.pl.
More information:
Note: We cordially invite you to an online information meeting regarding the announced call for applications. The meeting will take place on 16 January at 11:00 a.m. on the TEAMS platform. Registration is open until 15 January at 2:00 p.m. via the registration form: LINK