The Copernican Academy is a new scientific institution, which will strengthen Polish academic staff, increase competitiveness and contribute to larger recognition of Polish science in the world.

231 deputies voted in favour of the bill, 217 were against and 2 abstained. Now the bill will be proceeded by the Senate. The project was prepared jointly by the Ministry of Education and Science and the Chancellery of the President.

The Academy would implement a program covering financing scientific research, including Copernican scholarships, Nicolaus Copernicus grants, supporting the Main School of Nicolaus Copernicus, granting Copernican awards and appointing ambassadors of the Copernican Academy.

It will be made up of six Chambers of Astronomy and Mathematical and Natural Sciences, Medical Sciences, Economic Sciences and Management, Philosophy and Theology, Legal Sciences and Winners of the Copernican Prize.

It is also planned to create a public university, structurally related to the Academy – the Nicolaus Copernicus Main School. Its seat will be Warsaw, but the institution will integrate organizations operating throughout the country: the College of Astronomy and Life Sciences in Toruń, the College of Medical Sciences in Olsztyn, the College of Economic Sciences and Management in Warsaw, the College of Philosophy and Theology in Krakow, the College of Legal Sciences in Lublin.

The World Copernican Congress will be organized once every five years. The first event will be held next year, on the 550th anniversary of the birth of Nicolaus Copernicus. The Congress is intended to bring together researchers from around the world dealing with Copernican issues.

According to the justification to the act, the total state budget expenditure for organizing and operating the Copernican Academy can be estimated at PLN 25 million per year.

Adrian Andrzejewski