We use cookies on this site to enhance your user experience. Do You agree?

Read more

I.3.8. Establishment of the Institute for Advanced Studies (Polish: Instytutu Studiów Zaawansowanych «ISZ»)

General informationPrinciples of operation for the ISZ

IDUB Programme Objective(s)

  • II.3 Improving the capacity to cooperate by increasing research capability

Name of POB/activity group

Description

Objective

The objective of this activity is to establish a virtual scientific institute, which will ultimately take the form of a University-wide organisational unit. Its main function will be to initiate, coordinate and provide financial and organisational support for research initiatives whose subject matter and time frame exceed those of the activities which are usually coordinated among the existing research groups, who are carrying out projects in the second priority research area (POB II), and to manage promising innovative activities whose implementation is difficult or at risk. The Institute will support other tasks which are being implemented under POB II; the scientific council at the Institute will have advisory, opinion-forming, and support roles in substantive and organisational tasks.

Justification

In the second Priority Research Area (POB II), there are multiple, traditionally-strong disciplines – astronomy, biology, chemistry and physics – with superb human capital and of well-established international prestige, all of which are located on the Ochota campus in the Faculties of Biology, Chemistry, Geology and Physics, and in the Centre of New Technologies (CeNT). This research area is also a priority on the agendas of international organisations, governments, and industry; thus, it has great potential for commercialisation. POB II also includes fields of study whose graduates have – and will continue to have – a key role in developing new technologies, as well as transferring their findings: among these we may include chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, applications of physics in biology and medicine, nanostructure engineering, nuclear power, and nuclear chemistry.

To foster the development of these disciplines, a mobility scheme will be implemented to ensure effective cooperation, the flexible organisation of researchers into teams to work on projects with ground-breaking potential, and optimal resource-sharing. A system for communicating about scientific achievements will be implemented, to strengthen the reputation of the University in terms of its research capabilities. An important role of the Institute will be to identify innovative scientific projects with breakthrough potential, to establish channels of cooperation with leading scientific centres, and facilitate the initial stages of their implementation. In this area, the Institute Council will have a key role – to assess the scientific class of the projects, and the feasibility of carrying them out at the University.

The Institute will also act as a common resource for all activities implemented under POB II, in the area of administrative services and the management of material and financial resources.

Examples of activities coordinated by the Institute (ISZ) include the following: a) assistance with managing the implementation of large research projects, especially interdisciplinary projects that require large purchases of equipment, widening the range of available expertise for individual organisational units at UW; b) providing facilities to conduct research for periods of 3-24 months, for researchers who are engaged in intensive research work; c) implementation of projects such as Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships and Distinguished Visiting Fellowships – these aim to identify outstanding young and middle generation researchers and incorporate them into UW’s activities; d) organising short international research programmes (lasting 1 week to 1 month), related conferences, and workshops, and inviting renowned experts and promising young researchers to attend. This would provide true opportunities for intensifying collaboration with scholars from other countries and attract new colleagues to local research teams. Funds for the organisation of workshops and conferences will be granted through competitions.

The objectives will be achieved through the implementation of tasks, including those shared with other initiatives carried out under other IDUB activities.

Examples of tasks

  1. Creating and maintaining a website with information about the Institute and its activities, including the research groups and their projects, seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences, and other events.
  2. Organising and financing a series of specialised lectures for students and doctoral candidates, which will be delivered by renowned foreign scholars (with co-financing from Action I.1.1/IV.1.1).
  3. Organising and financing the Distinguished Visiting Fellowships and the Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships programs, allowing for stays by outstanding foreign researchers for periods ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months, to start or intensify existing cooperation with the University’s staff.
  4. Organising and financing thematic international workshops (10-100 participants) on the issues relevant to POB II.
  5. Co-organising international conferences (with co-financing from Action II.4.1), during which at least one lecture will be made open to the University community.
  6. Supporting the mobility of doctoral students and UW staff by financing visits to leading research centres (in conjunction with Action IV.2.3).
  7. Gathering experience and coordinating joint applications for large national and international research grants (ITN, COFUND, MSCA, NAWA, MNiSW) (co-funding from Action I.1.3).
  8. Organising international webinars to initiate innovative research projects.

Coordinating unit

  • Faculty of Physics

Entities involved in implementation

  • Faculty of Physics
  • Faculty of Chemistry
  • Faculty of Geology
  • Faculty of Biology
  • CeNT

Principles of operation
for the Institute for Advanced Studies (ISZ)

Section 1
General provisions

§ 1

  1. The rules of operation of the Institute of Advanced Studies pertain to the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” (IDUB) Programme.
  2. The rules define how the Institute operates.

§ 2

Wherever reference is made in these Rules to:

  1. The Institute or IAS (ISZ) – it should be understood as the Institute of Advanced Studies;
  2. The Action – it should be understood as Action I.3.8 “Establishment of the Institute for Advanced Studies (ISZ)”;
  3. IDUB – it should be understood as the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” Programme, which is being implemented at the University of Warsaw on the basis of Ordinance No. 115 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw from 1 June 2020, on the implementation of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” Programme at the University of Warsaw (Monitor UW of 2020, item 246 as amended);
  4. POB II – it should be understood as the Priority Research Area II under the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” Programme;
  5. The Coordinator of the Action – this should be understood as the Coordinator of Action I.3.3. within the meaning of the IDUB Ordinance;
  6. The Programme Manager – this should be understood as the IDUB Programme Manager;
  7. The Chairperson of the Council – it should be understood as the Chairperson of the Council of the Institute;
  8. The Council – it should be understood as the Council of the Institute;
  9. The Head of the Institute – it should be understood as the Head of the Institute of Advanced Studies (ISZ);
  10. The Rector – this should be understood as the Rector of the University of Warsaw;
  11. The Statute – this should be understood as the Statute of the University of Warsaw;
  12. The University, UW – these should be understood as the University of Warsaw;
  13. The IDUB Ordinance – this should be understood as Ordinance No. 115 of the Rector of the University of Warsaw of 1 June 2020, on the implementation of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” Programme at the University of Warsaw.

§ 3

The rules shall specify in particular:

  1. the tasks of the Institute;
  2. the rules of operation for the Head of the Institute and of the Council of the Institute.

§ 4

The organisational structure of the Institute consists of:

  1. The Head of the Institute;
  2. The Council of the Institute;
  3. The IAS Office.

Section 2
The tasks of the Institute

§ 5

  1. The Institute’s activities include, among others:
    1. the creation and maintenance of a website with information about the Institute and its activities, including the research groups involved and their conducted research, organised seminars, lectures, workshops, conferences, and other projects;
    2. the organisation and financing of a series of specialised lectures for students and doctoral candidates, delivered by outstanding foreign scholars;
    3. the organisation and financing of the Distinguished Visiting Fellowships and Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships for the visits of outstanding foreign scientists for a period of 2 weeks to 6 months, in order to start or intensify cooperation with University employees;
    4. the organisation and funding of international thematic scientific workshops (with 10-100 participants), on issues being researched as part of POB II;
    5. the co-organisation of international scientific conferences, in which at least one lecture will be open to the University community;
    6. support for the mobility of doctoral candidates and employees of the University of Warsaw by financing visits to leading research centres;
    7. gathering experience and coordinating joint applications for national and international research grants (in particular ITN, COFUND, MSCA, NAWA, MNiSW);
    8. the organisation of international webinars to launch innovative research projects.

Section 3
The Head of the Institute

§ 6

  1. The work of the Institute is coordinated by the Head of the Institute, who is also the Coordinator of the Action within the meaning of Ordinance No. 115.
  2. In the event that the Head cannot perform his/her function, his/her duties will be taken over by a person appointed by the Coordinator of the Action.

§ 7

The tasks of the Head of the Institute include:

  1. acting on behalf of the Institute;
  2. setting priorities and preparing the work schedule of the Institute;
  3. creating favourable conditions for carrying out scientific research and carrying out other tasks entrusted to the Institute;
  4. announcing competitions for research projects and defining the detailed rules and criteria for the evaluation of applications;
  5. initiating scientific seminars;
  6. managing the distribution of the results of scientific research carried out with the participation of the Institute, and appropriate communication with the media and the external environment.

Section 4
The Council of the Institute

§ 8
The Structure of the Council

  1. The Council consists of at least seven members, including the Head of the Institute
  2. Members of the Council should represent various disciplines and have recognised scientific achievements.
  3. The Members of the Council are appointed by the Head of the Institute.
  4. The Council elects the Chairperson of the Council from among its members.
  5. A Member of the Council will be dismissed by the Head of the Institute on the basis of a request by the Head of the Council.

§ 9
The term of office of the Council

  1. The term of office of the Council is consistent with the period of implementation for the IDUB Programme, i.e., until 31 December 2025.
  2. If the implementation of the IDUB Programme is extended or shortened, the term of office of the Council shall be extended or shortened accordingly.

§ 10
The tasks of the Council

Tasks of the Council include:

  1. advising the Institute’s programmes;
  2. at the request of the Head, issuing opinions on the distribution of funds between implemented projects, including Fellowship projects, scientific events, and mobility support projects;
  3. at the request of the Head, giving opinions on the rules for conducting competitions under the implemented programmes in terms of effectively supporting high level research in the co-financed projects;
  4. identifying research themes which according to the Council should receive particular support in IAS projects because of their potential;
  5. at the request of the Head, performing other activities which support the operations of the Institute.

§ 11
The organisation and operation of the Council

  1. The Chairperson of the Council manages the work of the Council.
  2. During the absence of the Chairperson of the Council, the work of the Council is managed by a person appointed by the Head of the Institute.
  3. The Chairperson of the Council will be elected by a simple majority at the beginning of the Council’s term of office, in the presence of at least half of the members of the Council.
  4. The Head of the Institute may not become the Chairperson of the Council.
  5. The Chairperson of the Council convenes meetings of the Council at his/her initiative or at the request of at least two members of the Council.
  6. Members of the Council may participate in meetings remotely via teleconference tools.
  7. The Head of the Institute convenes and chairs the first meeting of the Council in a new term, until a Chairperson of the Council is elected.
  8. The Chairperson of the Council shall notify the members of the date and proposed agenda for a Council meeting by electronic means, at least seven days prior to the meeting.
  9. Persons from outside the Council may participate in the meeting of the Council at the invitation of the Head or the Chairperson of the Council, in an advisory capacity.
  10. Opinions shall be formulated by the Council by a simple majority of at least half of the members of the Council. In the event of a tied vote, the Chairperson shall cast the decisive vote.
  11. Opinions may be adopted by the Council by electronic vote.

Section 5
Administration of the Institute

§ 12

  1. Administrative support for the Institute is provided by the IAS Office.
  2. Detailed rules for the operations of the IAS Office are determined by the Head of the Institute.

§ 13

The administration of the Institute provides support in the following areas:

  1. servicing the activities of the Council;
  2. handling competition procedures;
  3. supporting individual activities of the Institute;
  4. supporting the financial processes in the Institute.

Section 6
Final provisions

§ 14

  1. In matters not covered by these Rules, the provisions of Ordinance No. 115 by the Rector of the University of Warsaw from 1 June 2020 on the implementation of the “Excellence Initiative – Research University” programme at the University of Warsaw (UW Monitor 2020, item 246 as amended).
  2. These Rules come into force on the day of their announcement.