OPUS

OPUS is the National Science Centre's main basic-research competition in Poland. It sits under NCN and is open to researchers at every career stage. The current OPUS 31 call carries a total budget of 550,000,000 PLN, which shows the scale of the programme within NCN's portfolio. The route uses grant funding rather than equity or loans, and the project budget is set case by case according to the scope of work. Projects may run 12, 24, 36, or 48 months. Applications go through the applicant's employing institution in OSF, and the project leader must spend at least half of their time in Poland during the award period. OPUS is the broadest NCN route for university and research-organisation teams that need room to shape their own basic-research agenda. It does not require prototype evidence or consortia, which keeps the emphasis on research design and institutional fit. NCN runs the competition twice a year, with spring and autumn deadlines, so groups that can move from concept to dossier quickly are best placed.

Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.