5th Call for Dioscuri Centres of Scientific Excellence in Poland
Max Planck Society (MPG) and National Science Centre Poland (NCN) invite applications for the Fifth Call for two interdisciplinary Dioscuri Centres of Scientific Excellence. The centres are to be located in Poland.
The joint call by MPG and NCN is designed to establish up to two interdisciplinary Centres of Scientific Excellence at Polish host institutions. In the framework of the present call, applications are invited for the domains of Humanities and Social Sciences, Life Sciences, as well as Physical Sciences and Engineering. Interdisciplinary projects, which link Humanities and Social Sciences with either Life Sciences or Physical Sciences and Engineering are particularly welcome to apply.
Going beyond the scope of a project grant, a Dioscuri Centre (DC) is built around the position of a distinguished researcher. It is awarded to excellent researchers capable of establishing and leading an outstanding, highly visible research group. A DC shall connect the local research landscape at a Polish university to the wider scientific community in Poland and abroad, while simultaneously positioning the PI of the DC in the innovative intersection of two research disciplines. These efforts will be supported by a cooperation partner affiliated with a German university or research institution. The German partner will promote the Dioscuri Centres’ structural development and integration in scientific networks, thereby strengthening scientific exchange between Poland and Germany. The DC’s development will be supported by an international Scientific Advisory Board.
Dioscuri Centres are expected to conduct top-class internationally competitive and innovative research. Each DC will be funded with a PLN equivalent to € 300,000 p.a., initially for five years. This amount will be part of a larger package involving supplementary funds, infrastructure, scientific equipment, and a long-term perspective for the PI of the DC at the respective host institution (individual negotiations between candidate and host institution). This framework will put the DCs in a position to attract additional funding from NCN and other Polish or European/international sources.
Applicants are asked to provide a research concept for an interdisciplinary Dioscuri Centre. This includes an interdisciplinary research programme as well as an outline for the DC’s structural development.
The deadline for applications is 15 September 2026.
Each DC established through this call will be monitored and evaluated by the Dioscuri Scientific Committee, and awarded the title of Dioscuri Centre of Scientific Excellence.
The programme initiated by the Max Planck Society, is jointly managed with the National Science Centre in Poland. Funding for the programme is provided by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), and funding for the Centres of the Fifth Call is provided by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW).
