On September 1, 2025, Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć, head of the Laboratory of Virology at the Jagiellonian University, took over as president of the Board of the Foundation for Polish Science. nctions of vice-presidents will be held by Dr. Anna Plater-Zyberk and Dr. Tomasz Perkowski.
Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć new president of the Foundation for Polish Science
Published Sept. 2, 2025 12:12
The Foundation for Polish Science (FNP), the largest non-governmental organization supporting science in Poland, has announced changes in its authorities. The position of Chairman of the Board of Directors has been assumed by Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć, a prominent virologist who for years has been studying viruses that pose the greatest health threat in the 21st century.
- Taking over as president of an institution that plays such an important role in the development of Polish science and in supporting the scientific community is a great honor for me, but also a great responsibility. I want the Foundation to be not only a patron of science, but also an active participant in social and technological changes that shape our future. We will be a partner for those who have the courage to set new directions, look for unconventional solutions and consistently change reality for the better," emphasizes Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć.
The new FNP president is the creator and head of the Virology Laboratory at the Malopolska Center for Biotechnology at Jagiellonian University, author of more than 140 scientific publications and winner of numerous awards. His research work includes coronaviruses, flaviviruses and influenza viruses, as well as the development of new antiviral therapies.
The vice presidents of the FNP were:
- Dr. Anna Plater-Zyberk - anthropologist and linguist, expert in international cooperation in science, affiliated with the Polish Academy of Sciences, winner of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at the Harvard Kennedy School,
- Dr. Tomasz Perkowski - a manager with more than 24 years of experience as vice president of FNP, responsible, among other things, for the implementation of the Foundation's investment strategy.
The President and members of the Board were appointed by the FNP Council. Prof. Pyrć replaced Prof. Maciej Żylicz, who headed the Foundation for 18 years and is retiring.
The Foundation for Polish Science has been in existence since 1991. For nearly 35 years, it has already donated more than PLN 1.7 billion for the development of science in Poland, awarded more than 12,000 scholarships and prizes under more than 90 support programs. Every year it also presents the FNP Prize - the most important scientific award in the country.
Source: FNP
