On October 30, 2019, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education announced a list of 10 research universities selected in the first competition under the "Excellence Initiative – Research University" program. The Jagiellonian University was included in this prestigious group of universities, the creation of which was provided for in the Law on Higher Education and Science (the so-called Constitution for Science or Act 2.0).

The aim of the competition was to select and support universities that will strive to achieve the status of a research university and will be able to successfully compete with the best academic centers in Europe and in the world.

Each participating university could receive a maximum of 40 points. The Jagiellonian University received 34 points, as a result of which it took 3rd place in the competition. Thus, it became one of ten universities in Poland that will receive a subsidy increased by 10% every year in 2020-2026. This will make it possible to take actions that will aim at improving the competences and professional development of the Jagiellonian University's research staff, establishing valuable international cooperation between universities, and raising the level of scientific research conducted by the Jagiellonian University.

The "Excellence Initiative – Research University" program is a strategy implemented by the Jagiellonian University in order to increase the university's international recognition. The activities that will be of the greatest importance in the efforts of the Jagiellonian University to achieve the status of a sustainable research university include strengthening such areas as: international partnership, research grants, innovative research and education, social responsibility, globalization of science, as well as knowledge and technology transfer.

On the basis of the SWOT analysis, defining the research potential of the Jagiellonian University, it was possible to identify 7 Priority Research Areas (PRAs), within which the university will conduct intensified scientific activity:

• Heritage 
• FutureSoc 
• BioS 
• qLife 
• SciMat 
• DigiWorld
• Anthropocene

In particular, we encourage you to visit the website of PRA Anthropocene – our home Priority Research Area.