Announcement of the “EXPRESS CALL TO FUND RESEARCH ON COVID-19”

In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased joint effort by researchers is now needed to understand the mechanisms of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, improve diagnostic tests, find drugs and prevent the effects of the pandemic. In order to pursue the objectives laid down in the NCN Act, we have decided to launch an express call for proposals to fund research on COVID-19. The call is addressed at researchers who can expand knowledge on COVID-19, diagnostic procedures, treatment, prevention and the psychological and social effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The funds will be designated primarily for basic research related to:

1. pathophysiology of the disease, including research that can contribute to the development of future therapeutic strategies or diagnostic methods for COVID-19,
2. infection mechanisms, including ways of protecting healthcare workers, and 
3. psychological and social effects of the pandemic and ways of reducing them (including health policy and organisation of medical care, ethics in research and patient care, social behaviour in the face of pandemics).

The call will addressed at researchers with a documented research track record in the areas in question. Other researchers with the required experience and research infrastructure may also participate in research projects requiring an interdisciplinary approach, within the scope of cooperation or contracted work.

The results must be made available to the public as soon as they are available.

Terms of the call

1. Proposals may cover basic research related to the subject of the call specified in the call announcement.
2. The following entities may submit research funding proposals: universities, federations of science and HE entities; research institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, research institutes; international research institutes; institutes operating within the Łukasiewicz Research Network; centres of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and other entities involved in research independently on a continuous basis.
3. Research projects can be planned for the period of up to 18 months.
4. The person acting as the principal investigator in the proposal must meet all of the following criteria:

1. be at least a PhD holder,
2. be employed pursuant to an employment contract by the host institution acting as the applicant,
3. must have acted or act as principal investigator in at least one research project funded under the following NCN calls for proposals: OPUS, SONATINA, SONATA, SONATA BIS, HARMONIA, MAESTRO, SYMFONIA, POLONEZ and international bilateral or multilateral calls for proposals or be a winner of other prestigious national or international calls for proposals.

PLEASE NOTE: Acting as the principal investigator will not count towards the limit of research projects in connection with restrictions to apply in other NCN calls.

Submission of proposals

PLEASE NOTE: Proposals completed pursuant to the data required in the form must be submitted electronically via the Electronic Platform of Public Administration Service (ePUAP).

Detailed and final information on the call for proposals along with the documents will be made available on 30 March 2020.

Contact details:

Dr inż. Tomasz Szumełda, e-mail*: tomasz.szumelda@ncn.gov.pl

*Since we work from home at the moment, you can only contact us by email.