A project funded by the state budget, allocated by the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the Science for Social Development program.
Project title: Securing Polish satellites in orbit and building expertise in space security in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship
Project budget: : 1 816 600,00 PLN
Total value : 1 816 600,00 PLN
Date of signing the financing agreement: April 24, 2026
Short description of the project:
In the next few years, Poland will become the owner and operator of more than a dozen military and dual-use Earth observation satellites as a result of projects that have already been funded: Piast, MikroGlob, Camila, MikroSAR, and a contract between the Armaments Agency and Airbus Defence and Space. This represents a total investment of approximately 4 billion PLN. The proposed research, conducted with the assistance of the “Solaris” network, will serve national security in the field of space security (in particular, the protection of national assets in orbit).
CAMK PAN has launched a unique telescope at an astronomical observatory in South Africa, designed to detect and characterize hard-to-detect space debris. This telescope will successfully compete with leading instruments of this class from NASA, the European Space Agency, and even the U.S. Armed Forces. The objectives of this project include (1) developing methods for rapid processing of data from satellite and space debris observations. Given the enormous role of satellites in the functioning of the modern world, their security is not only a concern for operators and satellite owners but an essential element of broader public safety. For this reason, as part of this project, we will establish in Toruń (at the CAMK PAN branch in Toruń) (2) a Space Security Laboratory, which, in addition to conducting observational and analytical activities in the field of in-orbit security, as well as R&D work and maintaining the necessary expert team, will engage in (3) dialogue with other
A project funded by the state budget, allocated by the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the Support for the participation of Polish research teams in international research infrastructure projects program.
Project title: The South African Large Telescope SALT
Project budget: : 7 333 063,70 PLN
Total value : 7 333 063,70 PLN
Date the financing agreement was signed: April 1, 2026
Short description of the project:
The South African Large Telescope (SALT) is the largest optical-infrared telescope in the Southern Hemisphere. It is located at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), one of the darkest sites on Earth. SALT provides the highest quality spectroscopic and photometric data for the faintest objects in the southern sky. Optical spectra carry fundamental information about the properties, structure, and evolution of luminous astrophysical objects. Such data are essential for studying small bodies in the solar system, searching for extrasolar planets, determining the fundamental physical parameters of stars and galaxies, determining the distances to astronomical objects, and studying the distribution and dynamics of baryonic matter and dark matter in galaxies and the Universe. Access to SALT allows the Polish astronomical community to maintain a significant position in global astronomy. Thanks to participation in the project, Polish researchers also have access to smaller telescopes located at SAAO.
The SALT project is being carried out by the following institutions representing individual countries: ● National Research Foundation (South Africa) ● Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center and Polish universities: Adam Mickiewicz University, Jagiellonian University, Nicolaus Copernicus University, and University of Wrocław (Poland) ● Rutgers University (USA) ● University of Wisconsin–Madison (USA) ● Armagh Planetarium (Great Britain) ● Dartmouth College (USA) ● Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA - India) ● American Museum of Natural History (AMNH - USA).
A project funded by the state budget, allocated by the Minister of Science and Higher Education under the Support for the participation of Polish research teams in international research infrastructure projects program.
Project title: Poland's in-kind contribution to CTAO-ERIC: mirror production and IT infrastructure development
Project budget: : 20 074 528,81 PLN (total - consortium) and 1 317 670,00 PLN CAMK-PAN
Total value : 20 074 528,81 PLN
Date the financing agreement was signed: January 1, 2026
Short description of the project:
The project focuses on strengthening national capabilities in the field of space security through the establishment of the Space Security Laboratory at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center PAS in Toruń and the development of advanced methods for rapid processing of observational data related to satellites and space debris. The project will utilize the unique Solaris-5 telescope located in South Africa, enabling high-performance observations of orbital objects. The project outcomes will contribute to improving the security of Polish satellite assets, enhancing cooperation between science and industry, and developing research and innovation competences in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian region.
Project title: Participation in the initiative of the Minister of Science entitled “Grants for Grants – Promotion of Excellence V (Horizon Europe)”
Funding basis: Contract 6243/GGPJ6-22/HEUROPA/0 with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Project budget: PLN 30 000,00
Description:
The initiative includes activities related to the preparation of the project proposal entitled “Towards Autonomous Observatories”, submitted under the European Union Framework Programme Horizon Europe – Excellent Science. The funding was granted under the initiative of the Minister of Science “Grants for Grants – Promotion of Excellence V (Horizon Europe)” and is intended to support the preparation process of an international grant proposal as well as the development of scientific cooperation in the field of modern autonomous astronomical observatories.
Project title: Probes of new physics and technological advancements from particle and gravitational wave physics experiments. A cooperative Europe - United States - Asia effort
Funding basis: Contract 6268/H2020/2025/2 with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Project budget total: PLN 248 177,00
MNiSW financing: PLN 100 174,00 (89,9% of national project funding)
Description:
The PROBES project aims to strengthen international collaboration and knowledge transfer between academic and non‑academic partners from Europe and the USA in the field of advanced technologies used in fundamental physics research. It focuses on developing researchers' competencies and exchanging know‑how in five key areas: gravitational‑wave astronomy and interferometer technology, radiation detection and advanced measurement techniques, radiation‑ and magnetic‑field‑resistant electronics, modern photodetectors and calibration systems, as well as radiation simulations and computational infrastructure.
Project implementation period: 01.01.2025 - 28.02.2026.
Project title: Participation in the project titled Support for the Astrocent Plus project – Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre (Astrocent Plus)
Funding basis: Contract MNiSW/2025/DIR/811 with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Project budget total: PLN 29 750 000,00
Description:
The aim is to support the project entitled 'Astrocent Plus – Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre (Astrocent Plus)', co-financed by the European Commission from the European Union's Horizon Europe Framework Programme as part of the Teaming for Excellence initiative, aimed at developing the Astrocent Centre of Excellence in conducting basic research combined with innovative applied research and development work in the field of particle astrophysics, aimed at developing technologies used both in groundbreaking scientific research and in solving global challenges such as health protection, climate change and sustainable energy sources.
Project implementation period: 1.10.2025 - 31.12.2030.
Project title: DRD1 Conference Warsaw
Funding basis: Contract WNK/SP/0385/2025/01 with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Project budget total: PLN 204 440,00
MNiSW financing: PLN 96 640,00 (47% of national project funding)
Description:
The aim of the project was to organise the 6th DRD1 Collaboration Meeting – a week-long conference serving as a platform for the presentation and exchange of research results and the development of radiation detector technology within the international DRD1 network (CERN EP, in accordance with the European Committee for Future Accelerators (ECFA) roadmap for detector research and development). The meeting took place in Warsaw on 6–10 October 2025, for the first time outside CERN, and was hosted by Astrocent (CAMK PAN).
Project implementation period: 1.08.2025 - 31.12.2025.
Project title: Virgo-PL: Polish participation in the Virgo gravitational wave observatory
Funding basis: Decision 2023/WK/13 of the Ministry of Education and Science
Project budget: 12 367 024,33 PLN (total - consortium) and 871 125 PLN (CAMK)
Description:
The aim of the project is to support the Polish Virgo Project Consortium Institutions in the use and expansion of the Virgo gravitational wave detector, which is part of the global network of gravitational wave detectors in Europe (Virgo, GEO600), the USA (LIGO) and Japan (KAGRA). The project consists of seven tasks, which are the implementation of the agreement between the Polish Consortium and the European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) regarding the contribution to the Virgo research infrastructure. These tasks concern the financial contribution to EGO, contribution to improving the sensitivity of the Virgo detector, noise characteristics in the Virgo detector, contribution to the International Gravitational-Wave Observatory Network (IGWN) and analysis of data from the global network of gravitational wave detectors, and popularization of the Virgo project results.
Project title: Spectral Information Processing using Quantum Neural Networks (SIPwQNNs)
Funding basis: Contract 5304/ESA/2023/0 with the Ministry of Education and Science
Project budget:
total: PLN 855 135,00 (EUR 182 335,53)
MEiN financing: PLN 389 739,00 (89,9% of national project funding)
Description:
Quantum computing enables the application of new methods to solve challenging scientific and engineering problems. One of such problems is the classification of the ever-increasing volume of remote sensing data. The objective of the SIPwQNNs project is to investigate the potential of applying quantum machine learning techniques (QML) for the analysis and processing of spectral images obtained by Earth observation satellites. As a result of this project, we can expect new tools and methodologies that can significantly improve the process of classifying Earth observation data, which, in turn, will have a significant impact on domains such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, natural resource management, and many other areas related to Earth observations.
SIPwQNNs has the potential to bring tangible benefits to society by supporting sustainable development, environmental protection, agricultural improvement, natural resource management, and citizens' quality of life.
Project title: Hyper-Kamiokande
Funding basis: Decision 2022/WK/15 of the Ministry of Education and Science
Project budget: 67 596 799.26 PLN (total - consortium) and 8 985 964.47 PLN (CAMK)
Description:
The Hyper-Kamiokande detector will be an underground radiation detector using the Cherenkov phenomenon, so it will record the charged particles produced by neutrinos and enable determination of their energies. It will be 5 times larger (258 kt water mass) than the current Super-Kamiokande detector. An extremely attractive feature of this type of detector is its simple operating principle: a large volume filled with very pure water, surrounded by light detectors (photomultipliers). The difficulty in the construction of Hyper-K will be the huge size of the tank - it will be a cylinder 71 m high and 68 m in diameter, which requires the hollowing out of a 73 m (H) by 69 m (D) cave in the rock. The whole construction must be placed deep underground (about 650 m), for shielding the detector from cosmic radiation. This size and location present new experimental and engineering challenges, as it will be the world's largest man-made facility of its kind.
Project title: Participation in the programme „Premia na Horyzoncie 2”
Funding basis: Agreement number 568500 /PnH 2/2022
Project budget: : 30 622.00 PLN
Description:
Salary supplements for staff involved in the implementation of the grant: Integrated activities in the field of high energy astrophysics, financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement number 871158.
Project title: Participation in the programme „Premia na Horyzoncie 2”
Funding basis: Agreement number 565173/PnH 2/2022
Project budget: : 30 738,00 PLN
Description:
Salary supplements for staff involved in the implementation of the grant: Probes of new physics and technological advancements from particle and gravitational wave physics experiments. A cooperative Europe - United States - Asia effort., financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement number 101003460.
Project title: SST-1M Mini-array Construction and Testing as Technology Demonstrator for the Cherenkov Telescope Array
SST-1M/CTA
Funding basis: Decision DIR/WK/2017/12 of 14.12.2017 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Project budget: 7 880 044,35 PLN (total - consortium) and 522 783,17 PLN (CAMK)
The aim of the current project is to check the parameters and conduct research using a mini-network of two atmospheric imaging Cherenkov telescopes SST-1M for the study of high-energy gamma radiation from space. The equipment validation and calibration carried out as part of the task will enable the implementation of a whole series of valuable, and perhaps even unique scientific research. Systematic observations of the Crab Nebula, well-studied source of gamma emissions in the energy range up to around 100 TeV which is considered to be the main calibrator for gamma astronomy, will be used to calibrate the system. The main observation program will include monitoring the variability of several known bright blazars (active nuclei of galaxies with relativistic jets facing the observer) to determine their duty cycle range and power spectra in the high energy gamma-ray range. As part of the project, we also plan to attempt to measure the stellar intensity interference SII using two Cherenkov telescopes. The implementation of this measurement technique, proposed several decades ago, would constitute a new quality in astronomy in the implementation of measurements by networks of small Cherenkov telescopes. If the planned trials were to be successful, this would be the fundamental result for instrumental astronomy obtained with our SST-1M network.
https://www.cta-observatory.org/
Project title: National Center for Quantum Satellite Communications (NCSatKom)
Funding basis: Agreement Nr 7016/IA/SP/2019 of 19.07.2019 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Project budget: 9 646 000,00 PLN
The project is based on the construction of a robotic telescope and a quantum communication system.
Robotic ground-based telescopes are becoming one of the most important branches of instrumental astronomy. These devices are capable of carrying out at least one night of observation on their own based on general guidelines set by their users, but usually such devices work independently for months and collect huge amounts of data. Robotic telescopes are now also used as sensors in the area of satellitesand space debris tracking. As part of the Polish Space Strategy, Poland indicated this segment, called SST (Space Surveillance and Tracking), as one of the three basic pillars of the Polish space industry. The aim is to develop the current system for monitoring and tracking of Earth artificial satellites and to assess current and future space threats, such as satellite collisions or their parts. In order to achieve this goal in practice, it is necessary to develop efficient algorithms for the reduction and analysis of data from satellites and terrestrial telescopes, and to ensure confidential communication between the terrestrial and satellite systems. Robotic telescopes can be used as an element of the terrestrial system of communication with satellites through links based on encrypted quantum communication.
Task title: Computational infrastructure for Polish gravitational wave astrophysics
Virgo
Funding basis: Agreement Nr 6931/II-LAN/SP/2019 of 19.07.2019
Co-financing: 360 000,00 PLN
Total value of the task: 398 769,00 PLN
Funding by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education grant for the development of IT infrastructure
Data analysis in the field of gravitational waves requires access to enormous computing power in the shortest possible time after the end of the observation campaign, calibration and data release (this is also important because the periods between collecting and calibrating data and making it public are gradually shortened). In addition, the astrophysicists at CAMK are actively developing new data analysis methods based on machine learning. Therefore, CAMK PAN applied on behalf of the Polish consortium Virgo for the necessary computing resources.
The grant was awarded for the expansion of a large IT infrastructure at CAMK serving the Virgo-Polgraw group (https://polgraw.camk.edu.pl/pl/), which operates within the European Virgo consortium (https: //www.virgo-gw. eu /).
Thanks to the grant, a GPU supercomputer for deep machine learning was purchased. Please, find more information here.
Project title: Very high energy astrophysics with H.E.S.S.
Funding basis: Decision 2021/WK/06 of the Ministry of Education and Science
Project budget: : 412 847,37 PLN (total - consortium) and 338 097,37 PLN (CAMK)
Description:
The overriding goal of the project is to provide Polish scientists with the opportunity to continue research in the field of very high energy gamma-ray astrophysics using the international High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) observatory in Namibia. These telescopes are designed to observe the Universe in the very high energies, between several dozen GeV and about 100 TeV (the so-called VHE range). Telescopes of the H.E.S.S. Observatory record the Cherenkov radiation produced by the particles of the atmospheric shower resulting from the interaction of high-energy gamma photons with the Earth's atmosphere. The images of the shower make it possible to reconstruct the energy of the original gamma photon and to determine its incoming direction.
Scientific objectives of the H.E.S.S. belong to three main thematic groups:
1) searching for sources of cosmic rays (cosmic particle accelerators) and studying their properties and role in the Universe, with particular emphasis on the study of remnants of supernova explosions, pulsar nebulae, pulsars, micro-quasars, binary star systems, star formation regions, galaxies, blazars, radio galaxies, and gamma ray bursts;
2) study of the extragalactic background light (EBL) and the properties and structure of the intergalactic magnetic field;
3) testing fundamental physical theories by looking for traces of dark matter particle annihilation and studying Lorentz invariance. These studies are supplemented by cooperation with observatories operating in other energy ranges, the development of new data analysis methods and the use of modern computer methods for simulation and data acquisition.
Project title: Participation in the programme „Premia na Horyzoncie 2”
Funding basis: Agreement number 526845 /PnH 2/2021
Project budget: : 16 862 839,00 PLN
Description:
Salary supplements for staff involved in the implementation of the grant: Sub-percent calibration of the extragalactic distance scale in the era of big surveys – UniverScale, financed by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the grant agreement number 951549
