The FNP START programme is the oldest scholarship programme in Poland for the best young scientists representing all fields of science. Its aim is to support outstanding young scientists and encourage them to further their scientific development. All START programme winners receive an annual scholarship of PLN 28,000. They may use it for any purpose.
Mgr Yaryna Khmara is an assistant professor in the Social-Ecological Systems Analysis Lab, Institute of Spatial Economy at the Faculty of Economics and Sociology, UL and a doctoral student in Economics at the Faculty. The researcher is interested in:
• the concept of degrowth,
• alternative strategies for socio-economic development,
• sustainable develpment.
Mgr Y. Khmara since 2019 has been the main contractor in the research project "Post-growth (degrowth): operationalisation in the context of a city - in search for alternative development strategies".
Her achievements, among others, are:
2018 – the 1st place in the competition of the Polish Economic Society, Lodz for the best master thesis in the field of Economic Sciences defended in 2017,
2015 – a scholarship holder as part of the scholarship programme of S. Banach for the second-cycle studies funded by NAWA.
Dr Damian Jacenik is an assistant professor in the Department of Cytobiochemistry at the faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, UL. Dr Jacenik investigates the causes of inflammatory bowel diseases. He deals with a group of receptors that may be responsible for the development of intestinal diseases.
In 2020 he was a winner of the first prize in the 4th edition of Witold Bartnik Towarzystwo J-elita for his doctoral thesis entitled "Sygnalizacja estrogenowa w chorobach zapalnych jelit" [Estrogen signaling in inflammatory bowel diseases.
Dr Damian Jacenik is also the NCN scholarship holder, among others, in such programmes as: ETIUDA 5. Currently he is a manager of a project under SONATINA 3 competition. Project "ADGRF5 jako regulator odpowiedzi immunologicznej oraz integralności połączeń szczelinowych we wrzodziejącym zapaleniu jelita grubego oraz nowotworach jelita grubego związanych ze stanem zapalnym” [ADGRF5 as a regulator of the immune response and bond integrity in ulcerative colitis and inflammatory-related colon cancers] (planned for the years 2019 - 2022) obtained financing amounting to PLN 1 191 893.
START scholarships constitute a distinction for young scientists, who despite the fact that are just starting their scientific career, can already demonstrate significant research achievements. Young scientists, up to the age of 30 (or older if they make use of the statutory extension options) can apply for the scholarship. Achievements of the candidates –documented by patents or publications in recognized Polish and foreign scientific periodicals – are assessed by scientists who are authorities in their fields. Formally correct applications are first assessed by an expert panel that sends the best candidates for review. Each application qualified for this stage is examined by other three reviewers. Based on the opinions collected at each stage of the substantive evaluation, the winners are selected by the Foundation's Management Board; the Management Board's decision is approved by the Foundation's Council.
Call for applications for the subsequent competition will start in autumn this year.
More info on the website of the Foundation for Polish Science
Source: FNP, Faculty websites
Edit: Promotion Centre, UL