53 researchers will perform their research activities with funding from the National Science Centre. The second ranking list of proposals submitted to MINIATURA 8 in March has been published.
MINIATURA is a call addressed to researchers with a PhD degree employed at Polish research institutions, who may request funding of PLN 5,000 to 50,000 for a single research activity in the form of preliminary/pilot studies, library and archive searches, fellowships, research visits and/ or consultations.
The call is meant to support research activities performed by researchers with no prior experience in research project management. The aim of a research activity under MINIATURA is to prepare a research plan for a project for which funding can be requested under an NCN call, or other national or international calls. A research activity may be performed by researchers whose scientific achievements include at least one paper published or at least one artistic achievement or achievement in research in art, who have been conferred their PhD degree after 1 January 2012. The eligibility period may be extended as provided for in the Regulations, for example, by the time of childcare leave or long-term sick leave or physiotherapy leave granted to the ones who are unfit to work.
53 research ideas
The second ranking list includes 53 research activities with a total value of PLN 2,024,930.
Projects recommended for funding in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences include studies of the impact of current market conditions on workers’ personal and professional life. Dr Katarzyna Woźniak-Jasińska from the Poznań University of Economics and Business will study the attitudes, preferences and presenteeism of workers in terms of their hybrid work. Funding awarded under MINIATURA 8 will enable Dr Marcin Rojek from the University of Lodz to perform preliminary/pilot studies on educational qualities of co-working.
In the area of Physical Sciences and Engineering, researchers all over Poland will investigate numerical modelling of selected phenomena, study material properties and use of modern methods to produce substances for specific application. Dr inż. Sylwia Baluta from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology will go on a research visit to study a novel approach to stable biosensors using plasma-enhanced laccase immobilization. Dr Sebastian Jurczyk from the Institute for Engineering of Polymer Materials and Dyes at the Łukasiewicz Research Network will carry out a research activity aimed to study and evaluate the efficiency of selected biodegradable polyesters modification by reactive extrusion method to improve their physicochemical properties.
Research activities in Life Sciences recommended for funding focus on human health, animal health and plant processes. Dr Jakub Kryściak from the Poznań University of Physical Education will investigate the effects of specific soccer training on neuromuscular fatigue and acid-base homeostasis in young soccer players. Dr inż. Luiza Tymińska-Czabańska from the University of Agriculture in Krakow will pursue a research activity focusing on the use of GPR with 3D scanner to measure root system variability of Scots pine trees.
Research activities recommended for funding under MINIATURA 8 on Ranking List No 2
Ranking List No 2 under MINIATURA 8 in pdf format
Funding per research group:
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences: 18 research activities with a value of PLN 435,998
- Physical Sciences and Engineering: 20 research activities with a value of PLN 901,120
- Life Sciences: 15 research activities with a value of PLN 687,812
Call for proposals under MINIATURA 8 is ongoing
The call for proposals under MINIATURA 8 started on 1 February and will end on 31 July 2024, 4 p.m.. In MINIATURA, the evaluation procedure differs from other NCN calls for research projects. Proposals are processed as they are received by the NCN and do not have to wait until the end of the call for proposals. They are evaluated by the experts forming the evaluation team. A merit-based evaluation is performed in a single stage and the results are published once a month for proposals submitted in a specific month of the call.
The NCN Council has decided to designate PLN 20 million for MINIATURA 8. The call for proposals may be suspended if the total amount of requested funds exceeds PLN 40 million.
Funds for research activities under MINIATURA 8 are divided proportionally to the number of months of the call for proposals. Funding can only be awarded if the proposal is within the pool of funds available in a month.