This timeline presents selected key moments in the history of the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IPPT PAN), with a particular focus on changes in its organizational structure. It highlights milestones that marked important stages in the Institute’s development, reflecting its structural evolution and adaptation to changing scientific and institutional contexts.
Timeline of IPPT PAN defining moments after 2009
2009
IPPT PAN begins a new chapter in its history by moving to a new place at Pawińskiego 5B.
(building occupancy permit – 18.05.2009)
2010
IPPT PAN receives the highest category 1 for science, following a thorough assessment of science centers carried out by Komitet Ewaluacji Jednostek Naukowych KEJN (Scientific Centers Assessment Committee).
2013
IPPT PAN receives the highest category A+ from KEJN, following a thorough assessment of science centers by using the so-called parameterization. The names of the categories were changed and this time, the Institute was assigned Category A+ instead of 1, which meant: master level. The assessment, carried out by KEJN, provisioned the following categories: A+, A, B, C, (A+ master, A – very good, B – satisfactory with recommendations for improvement, C (unsatisfactory).
2015
First Masters of IPPT PAN. It is the highest award given by the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences. Awardees demonstrate the highest level of competence in their field of science and enjoy much respect, which distinguishes them from the rest of the scientific community.
2016
In December 2016, The European Commission granted the Institute the title of HR Excellence in Research
2017
On 16th October, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education announced assessment results of scientific centers, carried out in Poland by the KEJN (Scientific Centers Assessment Committee). Again, IPPT PAN received the highest category A+, proving that the Institute has been maintaining its highest level of scientific activity.
2018
Since then, IPPT PAN takes part in Erasmus+, following the European Commission assignment of "Erasmus Charter for Higher Education 2014-2020". Erasmus+ is the European Union program supporting projects and activities in the fields of education, training, youth and sport in 2014-2020, with the budget of 14,7 billion Euro. It is based on the well-established European educational programs, which had functioned until 2013 under different names: “Life-long learning”, “Youth in Action”, “Erasmus Mundus” or "Tempus".
2019
On 16th May, the Polish Academy of Sciences signed a contract for the establishment of a new cross-disciplinary Doctoral School of Information and Biomedical Technologies (TIB PAN). The official ceremony took place in PAS headquarters in the Staszic Palace.
TIB PAN's mission is to create a cross-disciplinary education for scientists preparing to conduct independent research, in shared fields of science – technology, information technology, biomedical engineering and medical science. Conducting Units:
- Systems Research Institute (IBS PAN)
- Nalecz Institute of Biocyberentics and Biomedical Engineering (IBIB PAN)
- Institute of Theoretical and Applied Informatics (IITS PAN)
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre (IMDiK PAN)
- Institute of Computer Science (IPI PAN)
- Institute of Fundamental Technological Research (IPPT PAN) - coordinator
2020 – 2025
2020
The National Contact Point for EU Research Programmes (NCP) ceased its operations at IPPT PAN. The institution had functioned within the IPPT structure for 22 years, since 1998, supporting the participation of Polish entities in EU Framework Programmes.
At the same time, the Center for Research Programmes of the EU was established at IPPT PAN.
2022
Following a comprehensive evaluation of its research units, IPPT PAN demonstrated the high quality of its research across all four submitted disciplines and confirmed its continued authority to award doctoral and habilitation degrees, as well as to educate students and run doctoral schools. The following ratings were assigned for the period 2022–2026:
- Mechanical Engineering – A+ (highest)
- Materials Engineering – A
- Technical Computer Science and Telecommunications – A
- Biomedical Engineering (the youngest discipline at the institute) – B+
2023
On 28 September 2023, the Institute solemnly celebrated the 70th anniversary of its establishment. The jubilee meeting was attended by over 300 guests. Among those who honored the event with their presence were: Prof. Marek Konarzewski, President of the Polish Academy of Sciences; Prof. Tomasz Kapitaniak, Dean of Division IV of PAS; Prof. Arkadiusz Mężyk, Chair of KRASP and Rector of the Silesian University of Technology; Prof. Jerzy Langer, President of the Warsaw Scientific Society; and Ms. Katarzyna Wieczorek, representative of the Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship, Adam Struzik, as well as numerous directors and heads of research institutions from across Poland. The celebrations were chaired by Prof. Tadeusz Burczyński, Director of IPPT PAN.
IPPT PAN research is divided into eight independent scientific units:
- Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter
- Department of Information and Computational Science
- Department of Experimental Mechanics
- Department of Mechanics of Materials
- Department of Intelligent Technologies
- Department of Continuous Media and Nanostructures
- Department of Ultrasound
- Laboratory of Polymers and Biomaterials
IPPT PAN was awarded the “Pro Masovia” Commemorative Medal in recognition of its outstanding achievements and overall contribution to the Mazovian Voivodeship. The award ceremony took place on 28 September 2023, and the medal was presented by Ms. Katarzyna Wieczorek, representative of the Marshal of the Mazovian Voivodeship, Adam Struzik.
IPPT PAN was also honored with the Medal of the Warsaw Scientific Society (TNW) on the occasion of its 70th anniversary. The medal was presented on 28 September 2023 by Prof. Jerzy Langer, President of the Society, to Prof. Tadeusz Burczyński, Director of IPPT PAN.
2025
On 22 September 2025, IPPT PAN hosted the inauguration of the UNESCO Chair on the Ethical Governance of Artificial Intelligence — the first such unit in Central and Eastern Europe. Its mission is to advance and promote human-centered artificial intelligence and to support research, education, and legal frameworks related to its applications.
