The University of Gdańsk placed among 10 Polish universities that received the largest EU funding for research and innovation in 2014-2020, within the scope of Horizon 2020 Program. The entire budget of 2020 Horizon Program projects implemented at the University of Gdańsk is almost EUR 5 million and in total the university executes 16 such projects. Further projects are currently being evaluated by the European Commission, or are at the grant agreement signing stage.

The mere presence of the University of Gdańsk among top ten Polish universities receiving most funds under Horizon 2020 Program and the 8^th spot on that list shows the university is way up there when it comes to innovation. Horizon 2020 Program is the largest framework program for research and innovation in EU history, implemented from 2014-2020, with a budget of EUR 80 billion, of which EUR 2.8 billion was dedicated to research and innovation projects. Program’s main objective is to develop society and economy based on knowledge, by supporting research, development and innovation.

Projects executed at the University of Gdańsk,within the framework of Horizon 2020 Program, are consistent with those ambitious objectives. The top subjects of research from our university concern the following:

• biological and biotechnological sciences, connected to molecular and microbiology research and conducting responsible research and innovation (RRI);
• humanities and social sciences: combining grassroot urban initiatives with elements of participatory and deliberative democracies;
• connected with marine sector – development of the European University of the Seas in terms of research and innovation, cooperation with social and business environments, mostly with the so-called ‘blue economy’ sector.

The total worth of projects implemented at the University of Gdańsk within the scope of Horizon 2020 Program equals EUR 4,727,163.90.

- The University of Gdańsk being placed so high on the list makes us very happy, but also motivates us to work even harder in order to get even more funding under future European Commission’s competitions and programs. Execution of international partnership projects and engagement of various research projects allows us to achieve the desired synergy effect and work out solutions for problems of not only scientists but entire societies – states prof. dr hab. Krzysztof P. Bielawski, UG Vice Rector for Development and Cooperation with Business and Industry.

Brief descriptions of major UG implemented projects (receiving over EUR 300 thousand in funding) are presented below:

Dissecting the mechanism of DNA repair in human mitochondria (MitoRepairosome)

Mutations of human mitochondrial DNA proteins cause a number of diseases like muscular dystrophy, Alpers and Parkinson diseases. The project findings will offer an insight into the fundamental principles of human mitochondrial DNA repair, which will in future result in a greater understanding of broadly defined mitochondrial diseases.

Dr hab. Michał R. Szymański, prof. UG from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG is the Principal Investigator of the project. UG received EUR 1.5 million in funding (the largest amount among all 16 projects).

Viral Metagenomics for Innovation Value (Virus-X)

The main aim of the project is to analyze metagenomic libraries of genetic material derived from bacteria and viruses isolated from extreme environments in order to give a better understanding of how microbes function in configurations characterized by their extreme complexity. The Virus-X project will enhance the understanding of not yet researched microbial communities and their functional dynamics. The research in this area has not yet been conducted on such a scale. The isolated enzymes will be used to develop/ modernize methods of novel medical diagnostics.

Prof. dr hab. Tadeusz Kaczorowski from the UG Faculty of Biology is the project leader for the University of Gdańsk. UG received EUR 610 thousand in funding.

Structural Transformation to Attain Responsible BIOSciences (STARBIOS 2)

STARBIOS 2 aims to implement the Responsible Research and Innovation-RRI approach in research institutions through Action Plans. A model and guidelines will be elaborated based on the Action Plans feedback and experience to facilitate the implementation of RRI in other research institutions.

Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof P. Bielawski from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG is the project leader for the University of Gdańsk. Total project budget is over EUR 312 thousand.

Cities as Arenas of Political Innovation in the Strengthening of Deliberative and Participatory Democracy (EUARENAS)

The main objective of the project is to answer the following question, how can grassroot initiatives merge elements of participatory and deliberative democracies. The analysis of local actions will enable the evaluation as to what extent is the merger of two democracy types possible and the development of political model based on genuine dialog and compromise-seeking.

Prof. dr hab. Iwona Sagan from UG Faculty of Oceanography and Geography is the project leader for the University of Gdańsk. The consortium received almost EUR 3 million in funding, of which over EUR 323 thousand is intended for the University of Gdańsk.

Reinforce Sustainable Actions, resilience, cooperation and harmonization across and by the SEA-EU Alliance (reSEArch-EU)

The consortium of European University of the Seas – SEA-EU, whose partner is the University of Gdańsk, received funds for the project which aims to develop SEA-EU alliance in terms of research and innovation, cooperation with the environment, in particular with business and industry.

Prof. dr hab. Krzysztof P. Bielawski from the Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology UG and MUG is the project leader for the University of Gdańsk. The project’s budget is EUR 2 million, of which over 318,000 euro will be allocated to the University of Gdańsk – the leader of the WP3 Bridging the Gap with Innovation Ecosystem package.

Universities – beneficiaries of Horizon 2020 Program based on the amount of acquired funds:

1. University of Warsaw
2. Jagiellonian University
3. AGH University of Science and Technology
4. Warsaw University of Technology
5. Silesian University of Technology
6. Poznan University of Technology
7. Wroclaw University of Technology
8. University of Gdańsk
9. Adam Mickiewicz University
10. Warsaw University of Life Sciences

UG projects information comes from UG Development Project Management Office data.

Translation: Adam Myzyk