Launch of the project "WelcomeIChF: Support and Integration of Foreign Employees at IChF PAS"

On 1 October 2025, the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS (IChF) launched project no. BPI/WTP/2024/1/00020, led by Dr. hab. Jan Paczesny, with implementation planned until 30 September 2027. The project is funded under the 2024 call of the Welcome to Poland programme of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).

The statutory tasks of IChF include conducting scientific research and fostering international cooperation through the creation of consortia and the implementation of joint projects with foreign partners. In line with its development strategy, IChF’s key mission in carrying out these tasks is to strive for scientific excellence by promoting the highest quality research, supporting scientists in addressing ambitious research challenges, developing infrastructure, supporting staff development, and facilitating the transfer of knowledge to the socio-economic environment.

One of the next steps in these efforts is the WelcomeIChF project, through which we will enhance services for foreign employees coming to IChF. This is crucial from the perspective of our development. In pursuing internationalization and setting ambitious scientific goals, we recognize that modern research requires teams composed of scientists with diverse qualifications and from different parts of the world. Efficient support for these researchers increases IChF’s attractiveness as a workplace, enabling us to attract and retain talented researchers from the global scientific community.

Facilitating the adaptation process of foreign employees fosters the creation of an open and friendly working environment, which in turn enhances the research potential and creativity of scientific teams. By eliminating administrative barriers and assisting with everyday matters, the project supports our mission to become a globally recognized research centre, thereby strengthening IChF’s position within the international scientific community. In parallel, we will conduct promotional and outreach activities aimed at achieving the project's final goal — strengthening our international visibility. These activities will target foreign employees at IChF, international guests, administrative and technical staff, as well as scientists from abroad who may be interested in conducting research at IChF.

Within the project, seven tasks will be implemented:

Establishment of a dedicated organizational unit — Welcome Point — along with the purchase of computer equipment for its operation;
Development of Welcome Package;
Expansion of IChF’s press service and further development of its website;
Promotion of IChF, Poland, and the results of the project implementation;
Integration activities for foreign employees and their families;
Scientific meetings;
English language training for administrative staff.

The long-term effects of the project will include increased effectiveness of foreign employees’ stays in terms of both their education and research work. The Welcome Point will become an integral part of IChF’s structure, providing daily support at a level comparable to the best research institutions worldwide. Enhancing IChF’s recognition in the international community and strengthening its image as a friendly place that supports scientific career development will attract even more talented researchers. The project will also promote greater national diversity among IChF employees, particularly by increasing the number of PhD students and staff from currently underrepresented regions such as the Americas and Western Europe. The implementation of the project will also contribute to an increase in international collaborations and the development of new research consortia, thereby enhancing the number of projects carried out within international partnerships.

Project budget: 549 882,36 PLN

Project website: https://ichf.edu.pl/en/welcomeichf

European Funds contribution:

Welcome to Poland programme is co-financed by the European Union through the European Fund for Social Development 2021–2027 (FERS), within the project "Support for higher education and science institutions in serving foreigners and Poles traveling abroad" (no. FERS.01.05.IP.08-0003/24).