About the Project
The Coalition for Polish Innovation (KPI) is now in the second year of the Science Leaders Board (SLB) program, an initiative aimed at strengthening Poland’s global visibility as a source of breakthrough innovations. The program brings together leaders from business and science, creating a platform for collaboration that supports the development of Polish research and technology.
The program was developed in cooperation with some of the largest technology investors in Poland: Intel, Orange, Google, Dell, Ericsson and Flex. The second edition of the program includes 10 outstanding researchers from Poland: Paweł Czarnul, Jerzy Domżał, Andrzej Jaszkiewicz, Dariusz Jemielniak, Bogumił Kamiński, Jacek Jerzy Kucharski, Ewa Niewiadomska-Szynkiewicz, Barbara Piętka, Mariusz Głąbowski and Magdalena Stobińska.
The program was created in response to needs identified during discussions with representatives of the business sector and the scientific community. These conversations highlighted key challenges facing Polish science, such as improving communication with industry, supporting the commercialization of research, developing interdisciplinary doctoral programs, and promoting Polish scientific achievements internationally. In response, we created the Science Leaders Board program, which has become a platform for cooperation between business and outstanding researchers – said Amelia Szukowska, Vice President of KPI.
The Science Leaders Board program offers participants access to modern technologies, business mentoring and training designed to strengthen a wide range of skills – from entrepreneurship to soft skills. Through international networking and participation in industry events, researchers also have the opportunity to promote their work on the global stage.
Collaboration between business and academia within SLB focuses on areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, Big Data, cybersecurity, semiconductors, 5G networks, sustainable energy and clean technologies. Project partners – Intel, Orange, Google, Dell, Ericsson and Flex – have been investing in Poland for years in research and development, production and services, contributing to the growth of the country’s technology ecosystem.
“Our goal is not only to support today’s leaders of science, but also to inspire young talents to pursue scientific careers. We want Poland to be increasingly recognized around the world as a source of global innovation driven by strong collaboration between business and science,” added Marcin Czyża, President of KPI.
27 February 2026 – First Science Leaders Board Meeting at Orange Polska Headquarters
On 27 February 2026, the inaugural Science Leaders Board meeting of the year took place at the headquarters of Orange Polska. The event brought together representatives of academia and business around a shared objective – strengthening Poland’s innovation ecosystem.
The meeting was opened by Bożena Leśniewska, who emphasized the importance of long-term cooperation between the corporate sector and the research community.
Key Agenda Highlights
In the first session, Marcin Czyża and Marcin Ratkiewicz presented updates and outlined the Science Leaders Board’s priorities for 2026.
This was followed by a presentation from Paweł Tuszyński and Michał Szczerbak on the Orange Innovation Poland research agenda and its doctoral programme, demonstrating how large organizations can effectively support the development of young talent and the transfer of knowledge into the economy.
Krzysztof Rządca’s presentation on programmes for early-career researchers delivered by Google served as a starting point for discussions on international development opportunities and research grants.
A significant moment of the meeting was the introduction of a new Science Leaders Board partner – Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej – presented by Anna Plater-Zyberk and Katarzyna Pronobis.
The second part of the day focused on insights from Orange Open Tech, followed by a strategic discussion and networking session.
A Shared Direction for 2026
The meeting confirmed that advancing innovation requires continuous knowledge exchange, the courage to test new models of collaboration, and tangible support for young researchers.
Science Leaders Board remains a platform for dialogue that connects expertise and experience, strengthening Poland’s competitive advantage through science and technology.
