Changes in the organization and the financing of scientific research in Poland: direction and dilemmas

The year 1990 marked a transitional period in the development of science and technology in Poland. A package of bills passed by the Polish Parliament in December 1989 has laid down the basis for the elaboration of a new funding system taking into account the opening and the liberalization of Polish society and the ending of the overcentralized system of control in the areas concerned. The four aims of the proposed reform are the replacement of administrative control over science by co-operation between the government and the scientific community in the determination of science policy; the diversification of funding methods for basic and applied research; the introduction of the competitive principle with regard to research funding, including peer review for project proposals; and the ending of the separation of science into 'sections' of different state organizations. From now on, researchers and research organizations will have to elaborate funding packages for themselves, drawing upon numerous sources, and to adapt themselves to current perceived and expressed national needs. The author cautions, however, that an overemphasis of the market principle could have detrimental effects on academic freedom and on the productivity of theoretical research. *This article makes use of fragments of the statement made by Deputy Premier, of J. Janowski, at the meeting of the Committee for Science and Technological evelopment of the Polish Council of Ministers on 23 February, 1990.