The NCN Award is the most prestigious distinction for early-career researchers in Poland. The winners will be announced on 15 October 2025, 6:30 pm during the Award ceremony which will be broadcasted online.
The Award of the National Science Centre was established in 2013 and has since been granted to early-career researchers whose work pushes the boundaries of knowledge and makes a significant contribution to the world of science, in recognition of their outstanding basic research projects conducted at Polish research institutions. The Award is granted in three categories: Humanities, Social Sciences and Art Sciences (HS), Physical Sciences and Engineering (ST) and Life Sciences (NZ). So far, the Award has been presented to 36 researchers.
This year, 185 applications were received, covering 125 nominees, from which the Chapter selected three winners, one in each research field. Their names will be announced during the Award ceremony at the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in Kraków. The event can be followed online, on the NCN website and our YouTube channel.
The Award ceremony will be hosted by Karolina Głowacka from Radio Naukowe, with media support from Forum Akademickie and Science in Poland, Polish Press Agency. Over the next few weeks, the winners will discuss their research in the Science at the Centre series, launched by the National Science Centre in cooperation with the Copernicus Centre Foundation.
NCN Award in a Nutshell
-
Established by the NCN Council in 2013 to recognise Poland-based researchers conducting top-notch basic research projects - Awarded every year in three research areas: Humanities, Social Sciences and Art Sciences; Life Sciences; and Physical Sciences and Engineering
- 36 researchers awarded so far. NCN Award Winners
- Each winner receives an award of PLN 50 000
- Nominees must be researchers who have been conferred their PhD degree within the past 12 years; this period may be extended to account for any career breaks caused by illness or childcare
- Chapter: NCN Council members and NCN Director
- Nominations may be submitted by former NCN Award winners, former NCN Council members, principal investigators in MAESTRO and SONATA BIS calls, experts reviewing proposals submitted to NCN calls, etc.
- The most prestigious award in Poland recognising early-career researchers for their basic research projects
- Presented at the Award ceremony
Media patronage
