The LIDER UP program offers both funding for innovative research projects and training and mentoring support, offered in cooperation with experienced business partners.

The most important advantages of the program include:

• up to PLN 2.5 million in funding for project implementation,
• a new, three-part program formula, providing support at various stages of project development:
  • Phase I – training and mentoring,
  • Phase II – implementation of the research project,
  • Phase III – pre-implementation stage, with the possibility of obtaining additional funds for pre-implementation work.

Direct involvement of business representatives and specialists with experience in commercialization and sale of research results is a great advantage of the program. Their support and mentoring are intended to help participants effectively translate research outputs into solutions with implementation potential.

Detailed program guidelines will be published by NCBR in January. The call for proposals is planned to open in February 2026.

More details are available here: https://www.gov.pl/web/ncbr/lider-up–nowa-odslona-programu-dla-mlodych-naukowcow