FAQ: GRIEG and C&C Kick-off

Are there any restrictions on serving as Principal Investigator in relation to other NCN calls, such as OPUS or PRELUDIUM?

The GRIEG BIS call falls within the category referred to in § 9(b) of the Annex to Resolution No 18/2026 of the Council of the National Science Centre of 12 February 2026, amending the Regulations on awarding funding for tasks financed by the National Science Centre in the area of research projects.

Consequently, submitting a proposal under the GRIEG BIS call allows the limit to be increased to three proposals/projects assigned to the Principal Investigator.

Due to the different submission deadlines in the OSF system, the GRIEG BIS and MAESTRO/SONATA BIS calls are not considered to belong to the same call edition. Therefore, proposals may be submitted under both calls.

At the same time, please note that a proposal containing research tasks that overlap with tasks included in a previously submitted proposal may only be submitted once the decision of the Director of the National Science Centre refusing funding for the earlier proposal has become final.

Can someone apply to both GRIEG BIS and SONATA BIS as PI? Should the budget scheme follow OPUS criteria?

The GRIEG BIS call falls within the category referred to in § 9(b) of the Annex to Resolution No. 18/2026 of the National Science Centre Council of February 12, 2026, amending the Regulations on the allocation of funds for the implementation of tasks financed by the National Science Centre in the field of research projects. Therefore, an application in the GRIEG BIS call entitles the candidate to an increase in the limit of three applications/projects assigned to the Principal Investigator. The cost eligibility are described in the Guide for applicants and evaluators (chapter 3.5.4).

Due to different closing dates for the OSF system, the GRIEG BIS and MAESTRO/SONATA BIS calls are not considered to belong to the same edition, so it is possible to apply for both calls. Please note that the proposals covering research tasks overlapping tasks specified in another proposal submitted earlier may only be submitted after the NCN Director’s decision to refuse funding has become final.

May the same Principal Investigator submit three proposals?

A Principal Investigator may submit only one proposal under the GRIEG BIS call.

Our main Norwegian partner asks whether, in point 1 of the Letter of Intent, they should declare their intention to cooperate only with the Polish partners, or whether they should also include the names of partners from “third countries”. In addition, when indicating the planned number of project participants, should partners from “third countries”, who are not included in the project budget, also be counted, or only the Polish and Norwegian partners?

The Letter of Intent is a declaration of cooperation within the project with the Project Promoter. Therefore, each Project Partner, including partners from third countries with their own sources of funding, must sign a Letter of Intent. Partners from third countries should also be included in the project team, and their competencies and role in the project should be described.

Can self-funded partners participate in the consortium? May they participate in the project without receiving funding from the NCN and without affecting the project budget?

Yes. Partners from third countries may participate in the project using their own sources of funding.

Can a GRIEG BIS project include two partners from the Donor States (Norway, Iceland and/or Liechtenstein), or is only one Donor State partner allowed?

Bilateral cooperation refers to cooperation between entities from Poland and the Donor States. Therefore, cooperation involving Poland, Norway and Iceland is fully eligible.

Is a partnership with two foreign partners, one from Norway and one from Iceland, eligible?

Yes. Such a Project Partnership is eligible. According to the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.2), the Project Promoter cannot be a consortium or a group of entities. One institution must act as the Project Promoter. The Project Partners may be entities from Poland and the Donor States, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.3).

May international cooperation involving researchers from the United States be carried out using their own sources of funding?

Yes. A third country means any country other than Poland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

Will projects involving two Polish institutions as partners receive any additional advantage, or does the number of partners not matter?

No. The number of Project Partners does not affect the evaluation. The only requirement is to include at least one Project Partner from a Donor State, including the Lead Donor Project Partner, in accordance with the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.3).

According to the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.2), the Project Promoter cannot be a consortium or a group of entities. One institution must act as the Project Promoter. The Project Partners may be entities from Poland and the Donor States, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.3).

Is there any preference (financial or thematic) for projects involving a partner from Norway rather than Iceland?

No. There is no preference regarding the Donor State of the Project Partner. The choice of partner should be based on the scientific scope and objectives of the project.

Is it possible to form a consortium of two Polish research organisations acting as partners to a Norwegian institution?

According to the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.2), the Project Promoter cannot be a consortium or a group of entities. One institution must act as the Project Promoter. The Project Partners may be entities from Poland and the Donor States, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.3).

What if the Polish partner, for example the Jagiellonian University, has two research teams led by two different group leaders – one from the Jagiellonian University and the other from the Jagiellonian University Medical College (Collegium Medicum)? How should this be reflected in the proposal?

The Jagiellonian University Medical College (Collegium Medicum) is formally part of the Jagiellonian University. Therefore, members of the research team from the Medical College should be affiliated with the Jagiellonian University in the proposal.

If I already have a partner in Norway that is a university, how can I verify whether it is an eligible institution?

The list of Norwegian research organisations approved by the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and therefore eligible to act as the Lead Donor Project Partner is available here: https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/financing/research-organisations/approved-research-organisations/

May foundations registered in Poland whose statutory objectives include research activities act as Project Promoters or members of a consortium?

Yes. They may act as the Project Promoter or as Project Partners, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements set out in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Sections 3.2–3.3).

May a Polish entity be one of the Project Partners? The OSF system does not provide this option, although I understood from today's webinar that this is possible. For example, may a proposal include a Polish Project Partner and a Project Partner from Iceland?

Yes. Polish entities may participate as Project Partners. They should be added to the proposal in the OSF system under the "Project Participants" section.

May kindergartens or schools be considered non-academic Project Partners, for example if the project includes organising training sessions or workshops for them?

According to the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators (Section 3.3), Project Partners may include public and private entities, commercial and non-commercial organisations, and non-governmental organisations that have legal personality and are established in Poland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway. However, for a Project Partnership to be eligible, it must include at least one Lead Donor Project Partner that is a research organisation.

Is it necessary to sign a Project Partnership Agreement when submitting the proposal, or is a Letter of Intent from the Norwegian partner sufficient?

At the proposal submission stage, a Letter of Intent signed by the Project Partner is required.

When should the Project Partnership Agreement be signed for a GRIEG BIS project?

The Project Partnership Agreement must be signed after the funding decision has been awarded and before the Project Contract is signed.

Should all Project Partners sign the same Letter of Intent? By what deadline must the Letter of Intent be submitted?

Each Project Partner must sign a separate Letter of Intent. The Letters of Intent must be submitted as attachments to the proposal. The proposal submission deadline is 30 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST.

Must the Letter of Intent also be signed by the Project Promoter, or is it sufficient for the Letters of Intent to be signed only by the Project Partners?

The Letters of Intent must be signed only by the Project Partners.

Should the Letter of Intent be accompanied by proof that the foreign partner's representative is authorised to sign such documents (e.g. combined into a single PDF with the Letter of Intent)?

No. This is not required.

How should the Letters of Intent be merged into a single document if the Project Partners electronically signed them?

Scanned Letters of Intent bearing handwritten signatures may be merged into a single PDF file after they have been signed. If the Letters of Intent are signed using a qualified electronic signature (PAdES format), they must be merged into a single PDF file before signing. The documents should be prepared using the template provided and uploaded, as appropriate, either as a "scanned document" or as an "electronically signed file".

Will there be any preferential scoring for women applicants?

Additional points may be awarded to women serving as Principal Investigators in disciplines where women are underrepresented. Detailed information is provided in Section 4.3.5 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators..

One of the objectives of the call is to support early-career researchers as project leaders. How will this be reflected in the proposal evaluation criteria?

The involvement of at least one early-career researcher as the leader of a research task is mandatory. In addition, an early-career researcher serving as the Principal Investigator may receive an additional 0.5 points in the evaluation.

How can I check whether a panel is male- or female-dominated? Where can I find this information?

The Basic Research Programme Cooperation Committee, based on NCN statistics, will determine the level of representation of women or men that is considered underrepresented. Illustrative gender statistics are available here (pp. 18–21): https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/raporty/ncn-2011-2015-rozklad-plci.pdf

Where in the evaluation criteria is the score for the underrepresented gender criterion specified?

The evaluation criteria are described in Section 4.3 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. The additional score for the underrepresented gender criterion (0.5 points) is specified in Section 4.3.5, "Additional points".

If the Project Partner's team leader is an early-career researcher, will the proposal receive the additional points?

No. The additional 0.5 points may only be awarded if the Principal Investigator is an early-career researcher.

Do the additional points apply to the Principal Investigator or to the leader of a research task?

The additional 0.5 points may only be awarded to the Principal Investigator (PI).

Is it correct that a PI from the Polish team who wishes to apply for GRIEG BIS must have NCN project as a PI? 

No, managing NCN grant (or any other grant) in the past is not formal requirement for GRIEG BIS PI.

If the Principal Investigator of the Polish team is an early-career researcher, will the proposal receive a higher score than if the Principal Investigator were an experienced researcher?

An early-career researcher serving as the Principal Investigator (PI) may receive an additional 0.5 points in the evaluation.

Does the requirement mean that the Principal Investigator must be an early-career researcher, for example a PhD student?

No. The Principal Investigator does not have to be an early-career researcher. However, if the Principal Investigator is an early-career researcher, the proposal may receive an additional 0.5 points in the evaluation.

What is the definition of an early-career researcher under this call? How many years after obtaining a PhD? May the Norwegian Project Partner employ an early-career researcher?

The definition of an early-career researcher is provided in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, Section 2.3, footnote 5: “Early-stage researchers are understood as defined in Article 360 section 2 and Article 360 section 3 of the Act of 20 July 2018 on the Law of Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws item 1668, 2018), which falls within profile R1 – ‘First Stage Researcher’ or R2 – ‘Recognised Researcher’ as defined in the Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a Framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe.”

According to this definition, an early-career researcher is either a doctoral candidate or a researcher who obtained a doctoral degree no more than seven years before the proposal submission date. The seven-year period is calculated from the date on which the doctoral degree was awarded.

Yes. The Norwegian Project Partner may employ an early-career researcher.

Could you explain how the following provision should be interpreted? How many years after obtaining a PhD does it apply? Does it refer to a researcher holding a PhD but not a habilitation degree, or to a person holding only a Master's degree? "An early-career researcher is understood to be a researcher falling within profile R1 – 'First Stage Researcher' or R2 – 'Recognised Researcher', as defined in the Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a Framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe.

The definition of an early-career researcher is provided in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, Section 2.3, footnote 5: “Early-stage researchers are understood as defined in Article 360 section 2 and Article 360 section 3 of the Act of 20 July 2018 on the Law of Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws item 1668, 2018), which falls within profile R1 – ‘First Stage Researcher’ or R2 – ‘Recognised Researcher’ as defined in Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a Framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe.”

According to this definition, an early-career researcher is a doctoral candidate or a researcher holding a doctoral degree awarded no more than seven years ago. The seven-year period is calculated from the date on which the doctoral degree was awarded. A habilitation degree has no relevance for early-career researcher status.

What is the maximum period after completing a PhD for a PhD holder to be recognised as a researcher at an early stage of their academic career?

The definition of an early-stage researcher can be found in the Guide for applicants and evaluators - chapter 2.3 - footnote 5: Early-stage researchers are defined in Article 360, section 2 and Article 360, section 3 of the Act of 20 July 2018 on the Law of Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws item 1668, 2018), which falls within the profiles R1 – “First Stage Researcher” or R2 – “Recognised Researcher” as defined in the Council Recommendation of 18 December 2023 on a Framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talent in Europe.

This definition states that an early-stage researcher is a doctoral candidate or a researcher with a doctoral degree that has been awarded for less than seven years. The 7-year period should be counted from the date the degree was awarded.

Is the seven-year period for an early-career researcher calculated from the date of the PhD defence or from the date the doctoral degree was awarded?

The seven-year period is calculated from the date on which the doctoral degree was awarded.

Is a postdoctoral researcher considered an early-career researcher?

Yes. A postdoctoral researcher is considered an early-career researcher.

Does a doctoral candidate meet the definition of an early-career researcher?

Yes. A doctoral candidate is considered an early-career researcher.

Is it a formal requirement that an early-career researcher must lead at least one research task within the project?

Yes. It is a formal requirement that at least one early-career researcher is involved in the project as the leader of at least one research task.

If all Project Partner team leaders are women, but none of them is an early-career researcher, is the formal requirement still met?

No. One of the formal requirements is the involvement of an early-career researcher, regardless of gender, as the leader of at least one research task.

What does the requirement that an "early-career researcher must lead at least one research task" mean? If a Project Partner is responsible for three research tasks and all of them are led by an experienced researcher, does one of those tasks still have to be led by an early-career researcher?

Yes. It is a formal requirement that at least one early-career researcher is involved in the project as the leader of at least one research task.

Would planning one position for a doctoral candidate in the project fulfil the requirement to involve an early-career researcher? Is it necessary to create a position for a doctoral candidate, or is it sufficient to engage a doctoral candidate under a contract of mandate or a contract for specific work?

One of the project requirements is the involvement of an early-career researcher as the leader of at least one research task.

This may be a doctoral candidate engaged under a contract of mandate, provided that they are a member of the research team.

An early-career researcher must lead at least one research task. May this be, for example, a postdoctoral researcher employed by the Project Promoter (Polish side)?

The leader of at least one research task must be an early-career researcher. A doctoral degree is not required.

May a person who does not hold a doctoral degree lead one of the research tasks in the project?

The leader of at least one research task must be an early-career researcher. A doctoral degree is not required.

If one of the research tasks is led by a researcher employed by the Norwegian Project Partner who meets the definition of an early-career researcher, does this fulfil the requirement? Or must the researcher be employed by the Polish Project Promoter?

Yes. The requirement is also fulfilled if the research task is led by an early-career researcher employed by the Norwegian Project Partner.

Is it possible to employ a researcher from Ukraine for the duration of the project? If so, may such an externally recruited researcher serve as the leader of a research task and fulfil the requirement that at least one research task be led by an early-career researcher? May the early-career research task leader also be employed by the Project Partner in Norway or Iceland?

Yes. A research task may be led by an early-career researcher employed by a Project Partner in Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein. It is also possible to employ an early-career researcher from Ukraine and assign them to lead one of the research tasks.

May I identify a postdoctoral researcher by name in the proposal and designate that person as the early-career researcher who will lead one of the research tasks?

No. A postdoctoral researcher must be recruited through an open recruitment process; therefore, their identity is not known at the time the proposal is submitted. However, the description of the postdoctoral position may specify that the postdoctoral researcher will lead a research task.

Must the Principal Investigator have documented experience in leading international research projects?

No. There is no such requirement.

If a person employed as the Principal Investigator of a GRIEG BIS project holds a research and teaching position at a university, is any teaching load reduction envisaged, as in other NCN calls? Can PI be released from teaching duties?

The call documentation does not specify whether a staff member serving as the Principal Investigator may be released from teaching duties or have their teaching load reduced. The employing institution makes this decision. Unlike the SONATA and SONATA BIS calls, GRIEG BIS does not include an eligible cost category for reducing the teaching load.

May a person who does not hold a doctoral degree be responsible for the implementation of tasks on behalf of a Project Partner? Would it be more appropriate to refer to such individuals as "team members" or "researchers" rather than "partners"?

Yes. The researcher responsible for carrying out research tasks on behalf of a Project Partner may be a person who does not hold a doctoral degree.

I still do not understand what is the "partner projektu" for the case of personnel hired in Poland. That is, what is the difference between the Polish PI (general PI of the project) and the "partner projektu"?

The Principal Investigator is the researcher responsible for the entire project. Partners: researchers responsible for tasks carried out by partner entities. In each project, there must be one PI and there can be a few Partners.

As the Project Promoter, may I invite a collaborator from another university to participate in the project, even if I am affiliated with a different institution?

Every person included in the research team must be employed by either the Project Promoter or one of the Project Partners.

Is the Principal Investigator at the Polish institution required to spend at least 50% of their time in Poland, as in other NCN calls?

Yes. In the GRIEG BIS call, the Principal Investigator is required to spend at least 50% of their time in Poland.

Is it possible to change the composition of the research team during the implementation of the project? If so, does such a change require the approval of the NCN?

Yes. Changes to the composition of the research team are possible in justified cases. The conditions governing such changes will be specified in the Project Contract.

Does this mean that a project combining psychology and sociology would not meet the criterion of interdisciplinarity?

A proposal is considered interdisciplinary according to the following rules:

1. Selection of the main panel: When submitting a proposal, applicants must select one of the 26 NCN discipline panels. The proposal will be evaluated within the corresponding main research domain (HS, NZ or ST) to which the selected discipline panel belongs.
2. Identifying descriptors: In addition, applicants must indicate between one and three identifying descriptors that further specify the subject of the project.
3. Criteria for interdisciplinarity: For a proposal to be formally recognised as an interdisciplinary project, both of the following conditions must be met:
   • Formal criterion: The proposal must include at least one identifying descriptor from outside the main research domain (HS, NZ or ST) to which the proposal has been assigned.

   • Scientific criterion: The Chair of the Expert Team evaluating proposals within the relevant research domain must conclude that the project genuinely extends beyond the scope of that domain and that an additional evaluation by an expert from another research domain is required.

     Examples:

     • A proposal is submitted to ST6 with the identifying descriptors ST6_12, ST8_03, ST1_16. This proposal will not be considered interdisciplinary, because all identifying descriptors belong to the ST research domain.
     • A proposal is submitted to ST6 with the identifying descriptors ST6_09, ST6_1, HS6_21. This proposal may be considered interdisciplinary. The Chair of the ST Expert Team will make the final decision . If the Chair determines that the proposal is interdisciplinary, an additional opinion will be requested from an expert evaluating proposals in the HS research domain.

Can PI submit interdisciplinary research projects under the GRIEG BIS call, given that LANGSPIL is explicitly presented as the programme dedicated to interdisciplinary research?

Yes. Interdisciplinary research is eligible under the GRIEG BIS call and proposals that meet the interdisciplinarity criterion may receive an additional 0.5 points during the evaluation process. However, LANGSPIL is the call specifically dedicated to funding interdisciplinary research projects.

Do the thematic priorities have to constitute a core element of the proposal, or is it sufficient to refer to them more generally to be eligible for funding?

Every proposal submitted under the call must address at least one of the Programme's key priorities and contribute to addressing the challenges associated with that priority. Details are provided in Section 2.2 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

The alignment of the proposed research with the thematic priorities may be contextual and should therefore be interpreted broadly. As stated in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators: "The key priorities should not be understood in a narrow sense or as disciplinary limitations." And "Applicants should consider the broad societal, technological, and/or environmental challenges that the priorities refer to, explore issues related to them and orient their research in a way that ensures that the project will contribute towards solutions for one or more of the priorities."

Compliance with the thematic priorities is part of the scientific evaluation. Therefore, the NCN cannot determine in advance whether a proposal meets Criterion 0. This decision is made by the Expert Team evaluating the proposal. As described in Section 4.3.2 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, Criterion 0 is an eligibility criterion (YES/NO). If the Expert Team concludes that a proposal does not address any of the Programme's key priorities, the proposal will be rejected. It is therefore the Principal Investigator's responsibility to determine whether the proposed research is appropriate for submission to the GRIEG BIS call.

Is there a more detailed description of the thematic priorities available, and where can it be found?

A more detailed description of the Programme's key priorities is provided in Section 2.2 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

How strictly are the programmer’s three main focus areas to be interpreted? What kind of description do the panelists and expert reviewers receive of the three focus areas to evaluate if a proposal fits them?

The description of priorities can be found in the Guide for applicants and evaluators, chapter 2.2.

How detailed should the information on related research projects be? For example, if an OPUS proposal involving the same Norwegian Project Partner is currently under evaluation and the same partnership is planned for a GRIEG BIS proposal, would this be considered a related project?

The "Related research projects" section refers to the research tasks rather than the partnership itself. Establishing the same partnership in two different projects does not necessarily mean that the research tasks overlap. It is the Principal Investigator's responsibility to assess whether the research tasks planned in different projects or proposals overlap. During the scientific evaluation, the NCN may verify whether there is a risk of double funding.

What does it mean that proposals are evaluated by comparison with other proposals? For example, when assessing the Principal Investigator, does this mean that their previous experience in leading research projects will be compared with that of other applicants?

Yes. However, it should be noted that the Principal Investigator's achievements are assessed in accordance with the DORA principles, considering their career stage, any documented career breaks, and the specific characteristics of their research discipline.

Do the objectives of the proposal need to be formulated as research hypotheses, or are research questions also acceptable?

Applicants should describe the project concept and the scientific problem to be addressed and/or the research hypothesis. They should also define the scientific objectives, with particular emphasis on the innovative nature of the proposed research project and its significance for the advancement of knowledge. Each objective should be described separately. The project objectives must be verifiable and should clearly describe the intended outcomes of the project. Where relevant, applicants should also explain the interdisciplinary nature of the proposed research.

Within a Project Partnership, is it expected that part of the research will be carried out, for example, in Norway? If so, what proportion of the project (or how many research tasks) should be carried out by the Polish Project Promoter and by the foreign Project Partner?

There is no prescribed percentage distribution of research tasks between the Project Promoter and the Project Partner(s). The allocation of tasks should be determined by the scientific scope and needs of the project.

Is approval from an ethics committee required only in Poland, or also in the country of the Project Partner (e.g. Iceland)?

At the proposal submission stage, applicants should describe all approvals and permits that will be required, taking into account the specific nature of the proposed research. The necessary approvals must be obtained before the research begins in the country where the relevant research activities will be carried out. Where research requires approval from a bioethics committee, such approval is required for the researchers who will conduct those activities. The NCN may request copies of the application submitted to the bioethics committee, together with the relevant approvals, at various stages of the project implementation or after the project has been completed.

By what stage must approval from a bioethics committee be obtained – before submitting the proposal or before the research begins?

Approval from the bioethics committee is required before the relevant research activities begin, not at the proposal submission stage. When submitting the proposal, applicants are only required to indicate in the relevant sections which approvals and permits will be required. Where research requires approval from a bioethics committee, such approval must be obtained before those research activities commence. The NCN may request copies of the application submitted to the bioethics committee, together with the relevant approvals, at various stages of the project implementation or after the project has been completed.

What is the role of the Partner PI (i.e. the lead scientific coordinator at the partner institution)? Is the Partner PI's CV assessed? I do not understand the difference between a "researcher" and a "postdoctoral researcher". Is the budget for Norwegian personnel prepared according to Norwegian rules? In other words, are there no fixed salary rates, and should we ask our Norwegian partners to prepare the budget in line with Horizon Europe rules? Can a postdoctoral researcher already be named in the proposal, for example someone who helped prepare the proposal and is a member of the research group?

Within the research team, the proposal includes the role of "Partner (PI) – foreign entity", which refers to the person responsible for carrying out the research tasks on behalf of the lead Project Partner from a Donor State. For other Project Partners, applicants should select either "Partner" or "Partner (foreign entity)". The scientific achievements of the Principal Investigator (PI) representing the Polish Project Promoter constitute a key element of the evaluation. The scientific achievements and competences of the Partner PI are assessed as part of the evaluation of the research team, the capacity to implement the project, and the quality of the bilateral cooperation. The Partner PI is not a second Principal Investigator. The eligibility requirements for the researcher and postdoctoral researcher positions are described in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. A postdoctoral researcher must be recruited through an open recruitment procedure; therefore, the person's name should not yet be indicated in the proposal. Foreign Project Partners should prepare their personnel budget in accordance with the rules of the Horizon Europe Programme. Norwegian Project Partners may use simplified cost options, as described in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

Can the level of funding allocated to the Norwegian Project Partner exceed 40% in exceptional and duly justified cases?

No. The level of funding allocated to Project Partners from the Donor States cannot exceed the maximum limit specified for the call.

I have a question regarding the following provision in the GRIEG BIS call: "The total costs planned by all Donor Project Partners from Donor State(s) should normally not exceed 40% of the Partnership's total budget." Does this mean that the Polish Project Promoter's budget may account for up to 60% of the total project costs, while the combined budget of all Project Partners from the Donor States should not exceed 40% of the total project budget?

The combined budget of all Project Partners from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein should not exceed 40% of the total eligible project costs. This does not mean that it must amount to 40%; it may be lower.

Can the Polish Project Promoter include costs in its budget that will be incurred by a Norwegian Project Partner, for example travel costs for the Norwegian partner to attend meetings in Poland?

No. One Project Partner may not cover costs incurred by another Project Partner. Each Project Partner must include all of its own eligible costs in its own project budget.

Should the budget of the Norwegian Project Partner also be entered into the OSF system? Do the Norwegian partners also have to submit an application to the Research Council of Norway (RCN), or is there only one application submitted through OSF?

There is one proposal submitted by the Project Promoter through the OSF system, covering the entire Project Partnership.

Can a researcher on the Polish side be employed under an employment contract (other than in a postdoctoral position)?

Yes. An employment contract is one of the possible forms of employment for research team members, including researchers.

How many postdoctoral researchers can be employed under the project?

There is no limit on the number of postdoctoral researchers that may be employed under the project. However, each appointment must be justified by the needs of the project.

Can the doctoral scholarship holder be of any nationality, or must they be from Poland?

W According to the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, scholarships must be awarded in accordance with the NCN Regulations on Awarding Research Scholarships (Annex to NCN Council Resolution No. 25/2024 of 4 March 2024). An NCN research scholarship may be awarded to a person who does not hold a doctoral degree and who meets at least one of the following criteria:

• is enrolled in a first-cycle, second-cycle or long-cycle Master's degree programme at a higher education institution in Poland;
• is a doctoral student within the meaning of the Act of 27 July 2005 – Law on Higher Education;
• is a doctoral candidate at a doctoral school within the meaning of the Act of 20 July 2018 – Law on Higher Education and Science.

Can Master's students participate in the project alongside academic staff?

Yes. Master's students may participate in the research team. Depending on the form of their involvement, they may receive either a research scholarship or a salary.

What salary rates apply to newly recruited postdoctoral researchers, salary supplements for existing employees of the host institution, and scholarships for students and doctoral candidates? Should applicants follow the rules used in NCN calls (if so, which ones, e.g. MAESTRO/SONATA BIS or OPUS), the internal regulations of their institution, or the rules applied in EU-funded projects?

The salary limits for individual positions are specified in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. For postdoctoral researchers, the annual salary must be between PLN 140,000 and PLN 210,000. In addition to these limits, remuneration should be determined in accordance with the host institution's internal salary regulations and applicable national law.

Must the administrative project manager be an employee of the host institution, or can someone from outside the institution fill this role?

The administrative project manager may be an existing employee of the host institution or a new person employed for the duration of the project.

Can the project manager be employed part-time under the project?

Yes. The administrative project manager may be employed part-time basis. However, the person employed in this position must devote sufficient time to ensure the efficient administration of the project.

What is meant by "significant involvement"? If a person is already employed full-time by the host institution, what additional remuneration may they receive from a GRIEG BIS project?

The involvement of research team members in the project must be consistent with the host institution's general employment and remuneration rules, justified by their project tasks, and within the salary limits for the respective positions specified in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

Is there a fixed budget for the administrative position?

Yes. The salary limits for individual positions are specified in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. For the administrative position, the maximum annual salary is PLN 120,000, assuming full-time employment for the entire year.

The Guide for Applicants and Evaluators refers to the cost category "natural person". Could you explain who a natural person is and for what types of tasks such a person may be engaged?

A natural person may be engaged as a member of the research team under a civil law contract. The conditions that such a contract must meet are described in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. A natural person may be engaged as a researcher, in an administrative or support position, or as a student or doctoral candidate where they receive salary rather than a research scholarship.

Who can be appointed as the administrative project manager? What are the requirements and eligibility criteria for this position?

The call documentation does not specify any formal requirements for the person appointed to this position. The administrative project manager should be responsible for administrative tasks related to the project, such as maintaining project documentation, organising meetings, managing the project budget, reporting, communicating with Project Partners and the Programme Operator, and coordinating dissemination activities, among other administrative responsibilities.

My question is: If the university already employs a person, how should the salary be calculated in the project budget? Does theexisting employment affect the amount that can be budgeted?

TThe team’s involvement in the project must be consistent with the unit’s general employment and remuneration principles, justified by the project’s tasks, and within the remuneration limits for individual positions specified in the call documentation and in the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, chapter 3.5.4.1.

Could the mandatory Project Manager be an employee of the Applicant who receives an additional salary supplement under the additional remuneration scheme? Additionally, can the Project Manager also perform technical or substantive project tasks, or should this role be limited exclusively to project management activities?

Regarding the project administrator, this may be an employee of the applicant who receives a salary supplement from the project. Their role should be limited to project administration.

If I plan to engage a person who is not an employee of the Applicant, for example under a civil law contract, should I identify that person by name in the proposal? If not, should their recruitment later be carried out in accordance with the public procurement regulations?

Engagement under a civil law contract must be carried out in accordance with the public procurement regulations. At the proposal submission stage, applicants are not required to identify team members by name, except for the Principal Investigator and the Project Partner leads. In the proposal, applicants do not specify the form of employment, but only indicate whether a team member will participate with remuneration or without remuneration.

Are salaries paid in accordance with the Horizon Europe rules, and are timesheets required?

The rules governing remuneration are set out in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. Timesheets are not required where a person is employed full-time on the project or assigned to the project for a fixed proportion of their working time, as specified in the secondment or other relevant document. In all other cases, time worked on the project must be recorded.

Do these limits refer to the total gross employment costs (gross-to-gross)?

Yes. The remuneration limits are given as total employment costs (gross-to-gross).

Must the administrative position be planned as a full-time position for the entire three-year duration of the project?

The administrative position must be planned for the entire duration of the project, but it does not have to be full-time. It may take the form of part-time employment, a salary supplement, or a civil law contract. However, the person employed in this position must devote sufficient time to ensure the efficient administration of the project.

The salaries for the post-doc have a different range in the guidelines. Which one is correct? In the guidelines there is this list, but it says that post-docs may have up to 210,00 (in written is different than the table)

Full-time remuneration for a post-doc type position of PLN 140,000 – PLN 210,000 per annum may be planned within the funds for the research project provided that all of the following conditions are met by the person to be employed at that position according to Guide for Applicants and Evaluators - 3.5.4.1.

Must the administrative project manager perform only project management duties (with 100% of their salary funded by the project), or can they combine this role with other responsibilities?

The administrative project manager may combine these duties with other responsibilities. The person does not have to be employed full-time on the project, but must devote sufficient time to ensure the efficient administration of the project.

How many researchers/support staff can be employed under the project?

The number of people employed under the project must be justified by the need to carry out the planned project tasks. The research team is subject to evaluation by the Expert Team.

Can the Principal Investigator receive additional remuneration or participate in the project without remuneration?

Yes. The Principal Investigator may participate in the project with additional remuneration or without remuneration, but must be employed full-time by the Project Promoter.

What if the Principal Investigator is already employed full-time by the host institution? What proportion of their salary may be funded from the project, if any?

The Principal Investigator must be employed full-time by the Project Promoter. Their involvement in the project may amount to 100% and be fully funded from the project.

Does the recommended minimum scholarship of PLN 3,500 apply to students or to doctoral candidates?

The recommended minimum amount of PLN 3,500 applies to an NCN research scholarship awarded in accordance with NCN Council Resolution No. 25/2024 of 4 March 2024.

The guidelines recommend a minimum scholarship of PLN 3,500 per month. Is this amount net?

NCN research scholarships are exempt from personal income tax. The minimum scholarship amount of PLN 3,500 per month is recommended.

Are there any recommendations regarding the level of such remuneration? For example, if the Principal Investigator's involvement corresponds to approximately 50% of a full-time position but is paid as additional remuneration?

The Project Promoter determines the amount and form of remuneration for the project team in accordance with the host institution's internal rules and within the limits specified in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

If the Project Partner lead at the Norwegian university does not receive remuneration from the project because their funding is provided under the institution's internal rules, should they still be identified by name in the proposal with zero remuneration?

Yes. All persons responsible for implementing the project (Partner position) at the Project Partner institutions must be identified by name in the proposal, even if they do not receive remuneration from the project.

Is the salary for a postdoctoral researcher included within the same annual limit of PLN 30,000 for scholarships?

No. The annual salary of a postdoctoral researcher must be between PLN 140,000 and PLN 210,000. There is no separate annual funding cap for postdoctoral researchers' salaries.

What is the difference between a research scholarship and salary for a doctoral candidate or student?

A research scholarship is awarded in accordance with the rules set out in NCN Council Resolution No. 25/2024 of 4 March 2024. In contrast, salary depends on the tasks performed within the project and is determined in accordance with the host institution's regulations governing staff remuneration.

Can a postdoctoral researcher be employed both in Poland and in Norway?

Yes. All Project Partners may employ a postdoctoral researcher, provided that the needs of the project justify this by.

Is it possible to finance part of the Principal Investigator's teaching load, as in the SONATA call?

No. Only the actual time worked on the project may be funded from the project budget.

How can someone participate in the project without being employed? Wouldn't this be contrary to labour law?

A person involved in implementing the project does not have to receive remuneration from the project. They may be funded from other sources, for example from the host institution's statutory funds.

Can the administrative position/laboratory manager be employed through a salary supplement to an employment contract?

Yes. A person in an administrative position may be employed through a salary supplement to an employment contract.

Is it possible to plan employment of a post-doc in a partner's organisation?

Yes, all partners can, if justified, plan to hire a post-doc.

Does the Project Promoter employ all members of the project team, or may Project Partners employ the members of their own teams?

Each Project Partner employs its own project team.

What is the recommended level of involvement for the Principal Investigator? For example, 50%, 60% or 75% of a full-time position?

The Project Promoter determines the level and form of remuneration for the project team in accordance with the host institution's internal rules and within the limits specified in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

Can the Principal Investigator receive remuneration in the form of a salary supplement to an employment contract?

Yes. The Principal Investigator may receive remuneration in the form of a salary supplement to an employment contract.

Can civil law contracts be used for persons who are already employed by the host institution?

Yes. The Principal Investigator may receive remuneration in the form of a salary supplement to an employment contract.

If the applicant is a research and teaching staff member whose research activities normally account for 50% of their workload, and they are released from teaching duties for the duration of the project, can they receive additional remuneration corresponding to the remaining 50% of their workload or more?

The host institution's internal regulations govern the question of release from teaching duties and are not addressed in the call documentation.

Civil law contracts require time recording. How does this apply to a contract for specific work (umowa o dzieło), which by definition is concluded for the completion of a specific work, regardless of where and when it is carried out?

Only the actual time worked on the project may be funded from the project. As regards civil law contracts, only those that meet all the conditions specified in the call documentation may be used for employing project team members.

Am I correct in understanding that a salary supplement may be paid if this is provided for in the beneficiary's internal regulations? If a salary supplement is paid under an employment contract and the employee is assigned to the project for a certain proportion of their working time, is a timesheet required?

In such a case, the proportion of the employee's working time devoted to the project that is covered by the salary supplement must be calculated and documented using a timesheet.

Is there a limit on the number of members of the project team, or is it limited only by the project budget?

The size of the project team must be justified by the efficient implementation of the project and planned in accordance with the guidelines for the project team set out in Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators. The Expert Team evaluates the project team.

Am I correct in understanding that when planning additional remuneration for researchers (in the form of a salary supplement to an employment contract), it should be calculated proportionally to the full-time remuneration limits based on the actual time devoted to the project? For example, can a Principal Investigator who devotes 25% of their working time to the project plan a maximum annual remuneration of PLN 55,000 (gross-to-gross)?

Yes. The remuneration limits apply to full-time employment over one year. Where a person is engaged part-time, the applicable limit should be calculated proportionally, as in the example provided.

A second question: does the remuneration limit of PLN 220,000 apply only to the Principal Investigator, or is this amount shared between the Principal Investigator and the other researchers?

The PLN 220,000 remuneration limit applies only to the Principal Investigator, in accordance with Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators.

How should the remuneration of an independent researcher in Norway be calculated? Should it also follow the RCN rules?

According to Section 3.5.4.1 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, Norwegian Project Partners should apply the remuneration rates used under the Horizon Europe Programme or the rates specified by the Research Council of Norway (RCN), where they are included on the list of organisations eligible to use those rates.

In a GRIEG BIS proposal, should the total number of researchers be indicated and all of them be identified by name and complete the academic achievements questionnaire, or should only the persons responsible for the research tasks be identified by name and complete the questionnaire?

In addition to the Principal Investigator and the foreign Partner PI (Partner (PI) – foreign entity), applicants should identify by name only those persons responsible for implementingresearch tasks at the Project Partner institutions (role: Partner). The academic achievements questionnaire must be completed only by those persons identified by name in the proposal. For the remaining members of the research team, applicants should indicate only the planned number of team members, together with their competences and roles in the project.

Does the PLN 500,000 limit for research equipment apply to the total value of equipment purchased by both parties? Must it be a single item of equipment, or can it consist of several items provided that their total value does not exceed this amount?

The PLN 500,000 limit applies to a single item of research equipment and applies to all Project Partners. 

The catalogue of eligible costs provides for the purchase or depreciation of second-hand equipment. Is this type of equipment defined in any way, or are there any specific guidelines or restrictions applicable to it, apart from the general eligibility rules? For example, are there any limits regarding the age of the equipment, its origin, or the source of its financing?

Depreciation costs are eligible in accordance with the host institution's accounting policy and the Accounting Act.

If the equipment (new or second-hand) has not yet been fully depreciated, the remaining depreciation (calculated in proportion to the degree of use, expressed as a percentage or period of use) may constitute an eligible project cost, provided that the use of the equipment is necessary and justified for the research planned in the project. There are no additional requirements applicable specifically to second-hand equipment. 

How will payments be made to the Project Partners? Will they be made in euros?

The Project Promoter transfers instalments to the Project Partners to cover the costs planned in the project. Project Partners from the Donor States will receive payments in the currency supported by their banks. The relevant provisions should be agreed between the Project Promoter and the Project Partners and included in the Partnership Agreement. 

What is NOK - EUR rate?

All project partners' budgets must be in PLN. There is no specific NOK-to-EUR exchange rate to use when preparing the budget.

Does the qualified date of the cost until April 30, 2031 mean that the project could still start later than after announcing the results?

The eligibility period for projects financed under the GRIEG BIS call will be specified in the project contract. It will run from the date the funding decision becomes final until 31 December 2030. Project implementation is planned to begin in Q3 2027.

In what currency will the project funding be paid?

Project funding will be paid in PLN to the Project Promoter, who will then transfer instalments to the Project Partners. For foreign Project Partners, the currency of the payments must be specified in the Partnership Agreement.

Are there any limits on subcontracting?

There is no limit on the amount of funding that may be allocated to subcontracting. However, as a general rule, the specialised knowledge and resources necessary for the implementation of the project should be available within the Project Partnership. Subcontracting research tasks is permitted, provided that it is clearly described and justified in the proposal. The justification for subcontracting is subject to evaluation by the Expert Team.

Can a subcontractor be a foreign institution (e.g. a university), for example to conduct interviews and collect opinions from people fighting in Ukraine through a Ukrainian university?

Yes. A foreign entity may act as a subcontractor, provided that it is selected in accordance with the public procurement regulations and the principles of fair competition. 

Is funding available to cover Open Access publication costs, given that Open Access is a requirement?

Yes. Under the cost category "Costs arising directly from the requirements imposed by the Project Contract for each project", applicants may budget for Open Access publication costs, but only costs related to the publication process, i.e. Article Processing Charges (APCs).

Can the project budget include publication costs for articles in subscription-based journals?

No. Only Open Access publication costs are eligible.

Many conferences, such as IEEE conferences, do not offer Open Access publication. Can researchers still participate in such conferences and present the project results?

The costs of participating in conferences at which the project results are presented are eligible. However, only Open Access publication costs may be covered by the project budget.

What is the rate of indirect costs?

According to Section 3.5.4.6 of the Guide for Applicants and Evaluators, indirect costs amount to 25% of the direct costs, excluding subcontracting costs and the costs of using third-party resources, except in the cases specified in the call documentation, including entities receiving State aid and Norwegian Project Partners applying simplified cost options.

Are bank account maintenance fees considered direct costs?

Yes. For the Project Promoter, bank account maintenance fees are eligible direct costs, as a separate bank account dedicated to the project is required.

Are membership fees for research networks and scientific associations considered indirect costs?

Indirect costs are reimbursed as a flat rate. They are costs not directly related to the implementation of the project, cannot be directly attributed to the project, and are accounted for in accordance with the host institution's internal regulations governing indirect (overhead) costs.

Does the rule requiring that 25% of the indirect costs be allocated by agreement between the Principal Investigator and the host institution (as in standard NCN projects) apply?

No. This rule does not apply to projects funded under the GRIEG BIS call.

If the Norwegian Project Partner is responsible only for project dissemination and stakeholder engagement activities, should all of its costs, other than personnel costs, be included under the category "Costs arising directly from the requirements imposed by the Project Contract"?

The category "Costs arising directly from the requirements imposed by the Project Contract" covers the costs of mandatory dissemination activities, namely maintaining a project website and organising at least one dissemination or information event/activity. All other costs should be charged under the appropriate cost category, depending on their nature (e.g. promotional materials under materials, travel costs under travel, etc.). 

What types of dissemination events may be organised as part of the project? For example, would a one-day open workshop at a university be eligible? What other types of events are acceptable?

At least one dissemination or information activity/event must be organised to present the progress, achievements and results of the project to the general public. Examples of such activities include a seminar, a stakeholder conference, a press conference, a media event, or an open workshop. 

Under which category is the paid use of Core Facilities classified?

Paid use of Core Facilities may be classified as other contract costs. This depends on the entity's applicable policies.

Are audit costs considered direct costs and can they be included in the project budget?

Yes. If an audit is mandatory, its cost may be included as a direct cost under the category "Costs arising directly from the requirements imposed by the Project Contract for each project."

If there is a partner from a third country – can we finance their travel to visit the Polish leader, or only the leader/EEA partner may visit the third country partner? Are there any other costs that could be covered for the third country partner (e.g. participation in conferences)?

The project cannot finance partners from "third countries".

Can one Kick-off grant support a visit of a researcher from Poland to Iceland, and a visit of a researcher from Iceland to Poland? Or does it support only one trip of maximum €2800?

The only requirement is that at least one on-site meeting between Polish PI and Donor partner happens. Having more meetings is allowed, but the funding in the form of lump sum of 2800 EUR will not be increased.

What is the LANGSPIL call?

The LANGSPIL call, which will be launched by December 2026 at the latest, with a proposal submission deadline in the first quarter of 2027, is dedicated exclusively to interdisciplinary basic research. With a total budget of EUR 12 million, the call will fund three-year projects that integrate multiple disciplines, drawing in particular on the strengths of the social sciences and humanities. Individual grants will range from EUR 800,000 to EUR 1.5 million. Applicants are encouraged to establish genuine collaboration and knowledge exchange with partners from outside academia. Interdisciplinary research projects should address complex challenges related to the Programme's three key priorities: the European green transition; democracy, the rule of law and human rights; and social inclusion and resilience.

If recipients of a C&C Kick-off grant are not required to apply to the LANGSPIL call, will applying to another NCN call, such as SONATA, be viewed favourably?

No. A C&C Kick-off grant has no formal impact on applications to the LANGSPIL call or to any other NCN calls. The purpose of the initiative is to facilitate bilateral cooperation and provide substantive support for researchers wishing to develop interdisciplinary research projects. Receiving a C&C Kick-off grant does not increase the chances of obtaining any NCN grant.

Does participation in a C&C Kick-off project increase the chances of obtaining a LANGSPIL grant?

Formally, no. However, in practice, we hope that it will, as this is precisely the purpose of the C&C Kick-off call.

Must the Principal Investigator of a C&C Kick-off project be included in the Applicant's project limit?

No. The Principal Investigator must be employed by the Applicant under an employment contract and hold a doctoral degree.

Can an applicant submit proposals to both the C&C Kick-off and the GRIEG BIS calls?

Yes. Applicants may submit proposals to both calls.

160. Does a C&C Kick-off grant count towards the NCN limits on the total number of projects led by one person and the number of applications submitted to NCN?

No. A grant awarded under the C&C Kick-off call is not a research project and does not count towards the NCN limits on the number of applications or projects.

161. Can meetings be held with two potential partners, for example one in Oslo and one in Trondheim?

Yes. Meetings may be held with more than one potential partner. However, to be eligible for the lump-sum payment, an Expression of Interest must be signed with at least one partner.

162. Can an application be submitted to the C&C Kick-off call if the university employs the Principal Investigator without remuneration?

Yes. The only requirement is that the Applicant employs the Principal Investigator.

So, is the Expression of Interest signed during the visit rather than at the proposal submission stage?

Yes. The Expression of Interest confirming the partners' intention to develop an interdisciplinary project concept jointly is signed during the meeting. It also serves as evidence that the grant requirements have been fulfilled and as the basis for recognising the lump sum as an eligible cost.

164. Is it mandatory for the Principal Investigator to travel to the partner institution?

A meeting between the Principal Investigator and the Project Partner from an EEA Donor State is mandatory. The Project Partner may instead travel to Poland, but the Polish beneficiary must cover the travel costs.

Can the visit include preliminary research in a laboratory in Norway?

The lump-sum grant is intended exclusively to cover the travel and subsistence costs of the Principal Investigator during a visit to the Project Partner.

Questions regarding the C&C Kick-off call may be sent to: Norway.Grants@ncn.gov.pl.

Who received funding under the predefined SPARK project and how are the funds allocated? Can all Polish researchers conducting polar research apply for these funds, or is access restricted? Who evaluates the applications and according to what criteria?

The predefined polar project SPARK is not a research project. In accordance with the Basic Research Programme Agreement, it is a project designed to support a broad range of activities within the polar research community. The partnership was established during consultations conducted by the Polish Polar Consortium, in cooperation with partners from Norway and Iceland.