Outstanding Early-Career Researchers
Each year, the National Science Centre presents the award to three researchers employed in Poland who obtained their doctoral degree within the previous 12 years and have significant scientific achievements in the field of basic research, documented through publications affiliated with a Polish research institution. Awards are granted in three areas:
- humanities, social sciences and the arts;
- physical sciences and engineering;
- and life sciences.
In addition to its symbolic significance, the award also carries a financial prize, with each recipient receiving PLN 50,000.
This year marked the fourteenth edition of the NCN Award. The gala ceremony took place at the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill and was hosted by 艁ukasz Lam偶a, who is a philosopher, biologist, translator and science journalist.
Watch the report from the award ceremony.
The Real Reward Is the Opportunity to Conduct Research
I am delighted to have received the National Science Centre Award. It is a tremendous honour for me, but above all it is a recognition of the work of our entire team, whom I would like to sincerely thank for all the years of research we have conducted together. The ceremony at the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill is a special moment and an opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved so far. However, for us researchers, the greatest reward remains the opportunity to conduct research and make further discoveries
鈥� emphasises Dr Dawid Kobia艂ka, recipient of the NCN Award.
It is through our work in archives and in the field, often quite literally with a spade in hand, that we fulfil what I consider to be a particularly important responsibility of our discipline. We uncover forgotten places and events, restore the memory of victims of war crimes and, in some cases, help families learn the fate of loved ones whose stories remained unexplained for decades. It is in such moments that the significance of archaeological discoveries for people living today becomes most apparent
鈥� notes the University of 精东影视 researcher, drawing attention to the social dimension of the research.
I am pleased that the importance of this research has been recognised and appreciated by the National Science Centre. I also see this award as a commitment to continue our work. I hope that together with my team we will be able to carry on our projects and take on new research challenges, benefiting from the support and excellent conditions for academic development provided by the University of 精东影视.
鈥� adds Dr Dawid Kobia艂ka, highlighting the importance of continuing and further developing this research.
Forensic Archaeology and the Archaeology of Crime Recognised and Appreciated
Dr Dawid Kobia艂ka specialises in forensic archaeology, the archaeology of crime and the study of the material traces of armed conflicts, particularly those connected with the Second World War. He leads interdisciplinary research projects devoted, among other topics, to the Pomeranian Crime of 1939, German crimes committed in the Death Valley near Chojnice and the Szp臋gawski Forest, as well as the history of prisoner-of-war camps in 艁ambinowice.
Research conducted by his teams has led to the discovery of the remains of hundreds of victims of German crimes and, in 2026, to the identification of the first Polish prisoner-of-war burials within the former Lamsdorf camp complex.
He is the author and co-author of numerous scholarly publications in international academic journals. He received the 鈥淎chievements of the Year 2024鈥� award in the 鈥淧ersonality鈥� category and the Mayor of Chojnice Award for scientific achievements. In 2026, he was awarded nearly PLN 1.93 million in funding from the National Science Centre for the project "Archeologia Aktion 1005鈥� [Archaeology of Aktion 1005].
Meeting with the Laureate in 艁贸d藕
Dr Kobia艂ka is rarely in 艁贸d藕, as he spends most of his working time conducting field research. For this reason, we strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the opportunity to attend a lecture by the award winner. The meeting will take place at Mediateka MeMo (Stanis艂awa Moniuszki 5, 艁贸d藕) on 17 November 2026, in the afternoon. Further details will be announced soon.