Deadline: 30-Jun-2026
The Poland–France Joint Research Projects Programme supports collaborative research and academic mobility between institutions in Poland and France across all scientific disciplines. The initiative is jointly implemented by Poland’s National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) and Campus France to strengthen bilateral scientific cooperation through shared research activities and researcher mobility.
Funding supports travel and subsistence for project participants, with a maximum of 40,000 PLN per project and a total programme budget of 800,000 PLN. Projects run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.
Programme Overview
The Poland–France Joint Research Projects Programme promotes structured scientific collaboration between Polish and French research institutions.
It focuses on:
- Joint research implementation
- Researcher and academic mobility
- Cross-border scientific cooperation
- Development of long-term institutional partnerships
- Strengthening EU-aligned research collaboration frameworks
Projects must be submitted in parallel:
- Polish applicants submit to NAWA (National Agency for Academic Exchange)
- French partners submit to Campus France
Programme Objectives
The programme is designed to:
- Strengthen bilateral Poland–France research cooperation
- Support mobility of research teams
- Enable jointly implemented scientific projects
- Improve international research quality and visibility
- Foster long-term academic collaboration
- Support early-career researcher involvement
- Align cooperation with the Poland–France Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship
Key Features of the Programm
1. Joint Research Projects
Projects must be co-developed and jointly implemented by Polish and French institutions.
They may include:
- Shared research design and methodology
- Joint data collection and analysis
- Collaborative publications
- Cross-border scientific experiments
- Multidisciplinary research activities
2. Research Mobility Support
The programme funds mobility between Poland and France to enable:
- Field visits and research stays
- Joint laboratory or fieldwork activities
- Academic exchange and collaboration meetings
- Coordination of shared research tasks
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include institutions defined under Polish higher education and research law (Article 7(1)(1, 2, and 4–7)).
Requirements for Polish Applicants
Applicants must:
- Be eligible research or academic institutions in Poland
- Plan to employ a project leader for implementation
- Ensure the project leader holds at least a doctoral degree or equivalent
- Employ the project leader within the applicant institution
Project Leadership Rules
- Each individual may serve as project leader in only one application
- Project leaders must be formally affiliated with the applying institution
French Participation Requirement
- A French partner institution must be included
- A corresponding application must be submitted to Campus France
Exclusion Criteria
- Institutions or individuals from the Russian Federation are not eligible
- Applicants from Russia are excluded from participation
Eligible Project Teams
Project teams may include:
- Academic staff from universities and research institutes
- Researchers from scientific institutions
- Students participating in project activities
- Early-career researchers (encouraged)
Funding Information
Budget Structure
- Maximum per project: 40,000 PLN
- Total programme budget: 800,000 PLN
Eligible Costs
Funding is limited to mobility-related expenses:
Travel Costs
- Round-trip travel between Poland and France
- Travel lump sum: 2,000 PLN per person
Subsistence Costs
- Daily allowance: 400 PLN per participant per day
- Covers accommodation and living expenses during research stays
Project Timeline
- Call implementation period: 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2028
Projects must be completed within this timeframe.
Application Process
Step 1: Joint Proposal Development
Polish and French institutions jointly design the research project.
Step 2: Parallel Submission
- Polish application submitted to NAWA
- French application submitted to Campus France
Step 3: Formal Evaluation
Checks include:
- Completeness of application
- Eligibility compliance
- Correct submission format
Step 4: Substantive Evaluation
Assessment based on scientific and collaboration quality.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are scored using the following weighted criteria:
1. Project Team Qualifications (20 points)
- Academic experience and expertise
- Research track record
- Team composition quality
2. International Cooperation Value (20 points)
- Strength of Poland–France collaboration
- Sustainability of partnership
- Added value of cross-border cooperation
3. Research Quality and Methodology (50 points)
- Scientific rigor and innovation
- Research design quality
- Methodological clarity
- Feasibility of implementation
4. Early-Career Researcher Involvement (10 points)
- Participation of junior researchers
- Capacity-building opportunities
- Training and mentorship components
Selection Process
Final selection is made jointly by:
- Polish evaluation authorities
- French evaluation representatives
Priority is given to projects that:
- Align with the Poland–France Treaty on Enhanced Cooperation and Friendship
- Demonstrate strong bilateral impact
- Support sustainable research collaboration
Expected Outcomes
Funded projects are expected to deliver:
- Joint scientific outputs (publications, datasets)
- Strengthened institutional partnerships
- Increased researcher mobility
- Enhanced international research capacity
- Long-term collaboration frameworks
- Greater participation of early-career researchers
Why This Programme Matters
This programme strengthens European research integration by:
- Enabling structured bilateral scientific collaboration
- Supporting mobility-driven knowledge exchange
- Improving research competitiveness across disciplines
- Encouraging joint innovation and academic outputs
- Building long-term Poland–France research networks
It serves as a foundation for deeper EU-level scientific cooperation and cross-border academic development.
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Identify Research Partners
Polish and French institutions identify shared research interests.
Step 2: Design Joint Project
Partners develop:
- Research objectives
- Methodology
- Mobility plan
- Team composition
Step 3: Prepare Dual Submission
Applications are submitted simultaneously in both countries.
Step 4: Evaluation Process
Projects are reviewed for scientific quality and collaboration strength.
Step 5: Implementation
Approved projects execute:
- Research activities
- Mobility exchanges
- Joint outputs
Tips for a Strong Application
- Ensure strong scientific methodology (highest scoring factor).
- Clearly define Poland–France collaboration benefits.
- Include early-career researchers meaningfully.
- Align objectives with long-term institutional cooperation.
- Demonstrate feasibility of mobility plan.
- Show potential for joint publications and outputs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Weak justification for international collaboration
- Incomplete parallel submission (Poland + France)
- Poorly defined research methodology
- Lack of institutional commitment
- Ignoring eligibility rules for project leadership
- Overlooking early-career researcher involvement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Poland–France Joint Research Programme?
It is a bilateral research funding initiative supporting collaborative scientific projects and researcher mobility between Poland and France.
How much funding is available?
Up to 40,000 PLN per project, with a total programme budget of 800,000 PLN.
Who can apply?
Eligible Polish research institutions with a qualified project leader and French partner institutions submitting a parallel application.
What costs are covered?
Travel and subsistence costs for research mobility between Poland and France.
What is the project duration?
Projects run from 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028.
Are students eligible?
Yes, students and early-career researchers can participate as part of project teams.
Can one person lead multiple projects?
No. Each project leader may only lead one application.
Conclusion
The Poland–France Joint Research Projects Programme strengthens bilateral scientific cooperation by funding joint research activities and researcher mobility between institutions in both countries. With a strong emphasis on scientific quality, structured collaboration, and early-career researcher participation, the programme builds long-term academic partnerships and supports high-impact international research.
By combining mobility funding with jointly executed research, the initiative enhances scientific exchange and contributes to sustained Poland–France cooperation in higher education and research.
For more information, visit NAWA.
