On 3 December, we launched the fourth call of the Virtual Research Institute (WIB) for innovative research projects with high commercialisation potential. This means PLN 142 million available to the best scientists working in medical biotechnology.
We are looking for research teams developing new technologies that will have a real impact on the creation of innovative drugs and medical therapies—solutions ready for market implementation and products attractive to potential investors.
The WIB programme is funded by the Polish Science Fund, and through the Wrocław-based research institute Łukasiewicz – PORT, the resources are allocated to teams conducting research at the highest international level. WIB offers not only five-year funding, but also significant shares in profits from commercialisation of research results. Its core idea is to connect science and business in a way that benefits all stakeholders and, as a result, strengthens the competitiveness of the Polish biotechnology industry on the global market.
– We are opening the fourth edition of the call and inviting research teams specialising in medical biotechnology and developing therapeutic applications across all areas of medicine – says Prof. Jarosław Bosy, Director of Łukasiewicz – PORT, which is responsible for implementing the programme and managing the Virtual Research Institute. – The WIB programme is undoubtedly a major opportunity for Polish scientists to secure research funding, develop a more business-oriented mindset and gain broader visibility. As in previous editions, strong emphasis remains on the high commercialisation potential of submitted projects – he adds.
The fourth WIB call begins with a consultation and advisory phase. The application submission period will run from 31 March to 11 April 2025. Submitted proposals will undergo a formal evaluation followed by a substantive assessment based on scientific and socio-economic criteria. The latter will be conducted by an international panel of experts, including specialists in both biotechnology and commercialisation.
Across the three WIB projects currently underway, a total of 11 institutions from across Poland are involved. These include three research teams comprising 142 researchers.
The HERO project (“Horizon of Excellence in the Application of mRNA in Cancer Immunotherapy”), led by Prof. Andrzej Dziembowski from the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, has been running for nearly three years and focuses on the use of mRNA technology in cancer immunotherapy. In 2024, funding was awarded to the projects INTERCEPT (“Targeted single-cell analysis technology for cancer diagnostics – a step towards interceptive cellular medicine”) and ADEVASCO (“Personalised endothelial diagnostics in oncology therapy – towards modern vasculo-oncology”). Altogether, these projects have received nearly PLN 190 million in funding.
The teams selected in the fourth WIB call will compete for a total funding pool of PLN 142 million.
More information is available on the WIB website.
