The NCBJ has received funding from the EIB under the TechEU programme to promote innovation, new technologies and economic competitiveness. Thanks to this financial support, the NCBJ will be able to carry out groundbreaking research and development in the fields of physics, materials engineering and medicine. The funding also supports the development of Poland’s expertise in the field of nuclear energy.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) have signed a financing agreement worth 85 million zlotys to support the construction of modern scientific infrastructure at Poland’s only research reactor.

“The agreement signed today demonstrates the EIB’s consistent and multifaceted support for Poland’s energy transition and security, as well as for innovation and the resilience of the economy” – said Marko Primorac, EIB Vice-President responsible for operations in Poland. “The foundations of a strong industry and competitive advantages lie in laboratories, where leading scientists have access to state-of-the-art equipment. The funding provided to the National Centre for Nuclear Research (NCBJ) supports the development of a knowledge-based economy and strengthens Europe’s technological autonomy, whilst also aligning with the ambitions of Poland’s nuclear energy programme.”

The EIB has granted the National Centre for Nuclear Research funding to develop world-class scientific and research facilities under TechEU, the flagship programme for financing innovation and economic competitiveness in Europe. This infrastructure will enable scientific research and development work in the fields of advanced materials, nuclear energy and medicine.

In particular, the funding will enable the construction, near the MARIA reactor, of the MNL Maria Neutron Laboratory, which will be used to develop measurement techniques for materials used, amongst other things, in renewable energy sources and accumulators. The funding will also support the NOMATEN CoRE programme, which is dedicated to the research and production of materials resistant to extreme operating conditions, for example in the energy and chemical industries. Furthermore, the EIB funds will help to enhance the capabilities of the Polish Free-Electron Laser (PolFEL 1.1), which will enable research into ultrafast processes occurring in matter.

“The funding secured from the European Investment Bank significantly accelerates our development and enables us to carry out some of the largest infrastructure investments of recent decades; it also highlights the complementarity and synergy of various sources of European funding for the implementation of projects such as the construction of research infrastructure” – said Prof. Jakub Kupecki, Director of the NCBJ.

The National Centre for Nuclear Research is the first research institution in Poland to receive funding under the TechEU programme implemented by the European Investment Bank. Last year, the University of Silesia, Synerise, Allegro and PESA secured funding for their development.