Eleven researchers affiliated with Nicolaus Copernicus University among NCN OPUS 30 and SONATA 21 grant winners
Eleven researchers affiliated with Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) in Toruń have been awarded grants in the OPUS 30 and SONATA 21 competitions organized by the National Science Centre (NCN). Together, projects affiliated with NCU will receive PLN 18,074,175.
The results of the OPUS and SONATA calls were announced on 11 June. According to the National Science Centre, this year’s competitions attracted a record number of applications—nearly 3,500, almost 15% more than last year. In total, more than PLN 911 million will be awarded to Polish research institutions to support fundamental research.
The OPUS programme is open to researchers at all career stages, regardless of age, seniority, or experience. Applications may cover national research projects, projects involving international partners, or projects using international research infrastructures. Grants may be used to cover salaries, research travel, scientific equipment, and other research-related expenses necessary for project implementation.
OPUS 30 grant recipients affiliated with Nicolaus Copernicus University
- Prof. Katharina Boguslawski, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics – Accelerating Approximate Coupled Cluster Models Using Quantum Information, Correlation-Based Domains, and Machine Learning. Funding: PLN 1,353,712.
- Prof. Tímea Drinóczi, collaborating with the Faculty of Law and Administration – Post-formalist Constitutionalism: A Normative Framework for Rebuilding Constitutionalism after Illiberal Rule. Funding: PLN 1,064,922.
- Łukasz Kowalski, M.A., Faculty of History – Mobility, Interaction and Exchange during the Baden Culture in Poland (3650–3100 BC): An Archaeometallurgical Perspective. Funding: PLN 691,291.
- Prof. Dariusz Smoliński, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences – Cytoplasmic P-Bodies as Developmentally Programmed Centres Coordinating mRNA Fate during Plant Meiosis. Funding: PLN 3,978,627.
- Prof. Katarzyna Stadnicka, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum – PIVOT: Probiotics and Postbiotics with Anticancer Properties in Preclinical Studies Using in ovo Xenografts and a Human Gut Simulator for Colorectal Cancer Therapy. The project will be carried out in cooperation with the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences. Funding: PLN 3,402,544.
- Dr Paweł Szczepanik, Faculty of History – Touching Holiness: An Analysis of Early Medieval Sacred Sites and Cult Places in the North-West Slavic Region. Funding: PLN 1,286,978.
- Dr Szymon Śmiga, Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Informatics – Beyond Standard DFT: Advanced Correlation Methods Based on the Adiabatic Connection Formalism. Funding: PLN 889,110.
- Dr Jörgen Vijgen, collaborating with the Faculty of Theology – The Biblical Hermeneutics of Thomas Aquinas’ Commentary on the Gospel according to St Matthew. Funding: PLN 1,089,461.
Nicolaus Copernicus University is also a partner in two OPUS-funded projects:
- BIO-MAST-3D: Bioactive 3D Dressings with Nanoparticles and Algae for Drainage Therapy after Mastectomy: A Personalised Approach for Patients at High Risk of Complications. The project is led by Prof. Jakub Rybka of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, with the University of Gdańsk as the third partner institution. Funding: PLN 3,627,993.
- Integrated IR–UV–Vis Spectroscopy of Simple Molecules in Interstellar Ices: From Monomers and Clusters to Micrograins for the Interpretation of JWST Spectra. The project is led by Prof. Małgorzata Biczysko of the University of Wrocław. Funding: PLN 2,182,580.
The SONATA 21 competition is intended for early-career researchers. Grants may support projects lasting from one to three years. As in the OPUS competition, applicants were required to demonstrate a track record of scientific publications or artistic or artistic-research achievements.
SONATA 21 grant recipients affiliated with Nicolaus Copernicus University
- Dr Asta Rand, Institute for Advanced Studies – Sulphur Isotopes in Medieval Archaeofaunal Bone Material from Poland (ISOMAP). Funding: PLN 1,744,360.
- Dr Marta Szada, Faculty of Humanities – Book Circulation Networks and the Formation of Reading Communities in Late Antiquity. Funding: PLN 796,850.
- Dr Michał Żółtowski, Faculty of Chemistry – Ab Initio Calculations of Spectroscopic Parameters of Nitriles for Modelling Observations of Titan’s Atmosphere. Funding: PLN 1,776,320.