Five researchers from Wrocław University of Science and Technology have become laureates of the “Start” programme for the most talented young scientists. The winners will receive grants amounting to 28 thousand PLN, funded by the Foundation for Polish Science

"Start" is the biggest Polish grant programme for the best young researchers hailing from all fields of science. Under the programme, grants are awarded every year with a view to supporting researchers financially at the beginning of their careers as well as making it possible for them to fully devote themselves to science. The grants are funnelled to any area of their activity.

The financial support was granted at Wrocław University of Technology to the following people:

• Mateusz Dyksik from the Faculty of Fundamental Problems of Technology;
• Anna Dzimitrowicz, PhD, Eng. from the Faculty of Chemistry;
• Maciej Kowalczyk from the Faculty of Electronics;
• Łukasz Sterczewski from the Faculty of Electronics;
• Jan Zaręba from the Faculty of Chemistry.

The FPS grants have been awarded already for the 26th time.  The winners of this year's edition of the competition were selected from 890 candidates. They are scientists aged less than 30 (or older, if they have used maternity or childcare leaves) on the point of defending their PhD theses, or those just having obtained their doctoral degrees, working in different research centres. 

A total of 100 people from the entire country have been awarded. The average age of this year's "Start" programme winners is 28 years, with 48 per cent already having the PhD title (in Poland, the average age at which the doctoral degree is received by researchers is about 35). Up until 2018, the FPS has awarded grants to over 2,900 people.

The award ceremony will be held on May 26 at the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Submission of entries to next year’s competition starts in autumn.