The Nencki Institute has once again been awarded the highest possible scientific evaluation category, A+, by Poland’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education. The distinction confirms the Institute’s outstanding research performance and its significant impact both within and beyond academia.

According to Professor Agnieszka Dobrzyń, Director of the Nencki Institute, the result further strengthens the Institute’s position as a trusted and internationally recognized research organization.

“Receiving the A+ category reinforces the Nencki Institute’s reputation as a leading and credible scientific institution, confirming the highest standards of research excellence. It is an important advantage in the global competition for top talents and a clear signal to business partners that they are working with a reliable institution capable of delivering ambitious research projects,” said Prof. Agnieszka Dobrzyń.

The Ministry’s evaluation covers the years 2022–2025 and assesses not only the quality of scientific research but also its broader impact on society and the economy. The evaluation applies to academic universities, federations, institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS), and international research institutes. Evaluations of universities of applied sciences, research institutes, and other research-performing organizations are conducted upon request.

“Achieving the A+ category further enhances the Institute’s reputation among those who may not yet be familiar with our work. This is particularly important for attracting outstanding researchers — from principal investigators establishing their own research groups to PhD candidates and postdoctoral scientists,” Prof. Dobrzyń added.

The evaluation is based on three main criteria: the scientific quality of research (including publications and patents), the financial outcomes of research and development activities, and the impact of research on society and the economy.

“We achieved the highest possible scores across all evaluation criteria, placing the Institute among the country’s top-performing research organizations. A particularly important aspect was the extent to which inventions developed at the Institute translate into benefits for the national economy and public finances. In this respect, we have also been recognized as a model institution,” said Prof. Dobrzyń.

The highest evaluation category is also expected to strengthen the Institute’s position in collaborations with industry.

“As an A+ institution, we gain additional credibility among potential partners. Companies seeking scientific expertise or access to our core facilities know they will find world-class specialists and cutting-edge research infrastructure here,” Prof. Dobrzyń noted.

She emphasized that the evaluation reflects the dedication of the Institute’s researchers and doctoral students who conduct ambitious, high-quality research, as well as the technical and administrative teams whose work supports scientific excellence every day.

The Nencki Institute has received the Ministry’s highest evaluation in every assessment since Poland introduced its current research evaluation system, earning the A+ category in all three evaluation rounds to date.

About the Nencki Institute Founded in Warsaw in 1918 by Kazimierz Białaszewicz, Edward Flatau and Romuald Minkiewicz, the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences is named after Marceli Nencki (1847–1901), the distinguished Polish chemist, physician and physiologist who worked in Zurich and St. Petersburg and is regarded as one of the founders of modern biochemistry.

Researchers at the Nencki Institute develop state-of-the-art research methods and advanced technologies to pursue ambitious interdisciplinary projects. The Institute’s research focuses on novel therapies and diagnostic approaches for neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, cancer and other major health challenges. Its scientific activity is supported by specialized core facilities that, alongside conducting their own research, provide a broad range of services, including preclinical studies, DNA sequencing, transgenic animal production and biological imaging — from light and electron microscopy to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The Institute’s strategy of promoting innovation has resulted in a steady increase in high-impact publications, patented inventions in Poland and abroad, and growing collaboration with industry.