Scientists fail to convince
Representatives of the ministry of science say that applications from Polish scientists wanting to obtain financing from American companies in connection with the Lockheed Martin offset agreements are not satisfactory.
"Polish scientific circles are not managing to convince the American side of the offset contract, that it is worth to invest in Polish research and development projects," said Michał Kleiber, the head of the offset committee, who also serves as the head of the State Committee for Scientific Research.
During a meeting with the board of the Polish Academy of Science Kleiber said that scientists have limited themselves by presenting their financial needs and are not profiting from the opportunities created by the contract connected to the government's purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US defence contractor.
Joanna Kulesza, the scientific research committee's spokeswoman, said that often scientists do not take into consideration that the money they are supposed to receive is an investment, which in future should bring revenues.
"It is true, we did not organise any training on how to prepare a business plan, but our scientists should know how to take care of themselves," Kulesza said.
Jacek Rońda, an adviser to Kleiber, said that the committe is working on 600 applications.
"One-quarter of them are innovative projects that are ready to be subject to the contract with the American side," he said. "The rest must be worked on." Kulesza added that Kleiber preferred to see more projects connected to high technologies.
In the meantime, Gripen International, the British-Swedish company that participated in the tender for the jet fighters but lost to Lockheed Martin, confirmed that its offer was still up-to-date. This was a reaction to Leszek Miller's statement that the government would turn to Gripen in the event of a collapse of negotiations with the Americans on the offset deals.
"Polish scientific circles are not managing to convince the American side of the offset contract, that it is worth to invest in Polish research and development projects," said Michał Kleiber, the head of the offset committee, who also serves as the head of the State Committee for Scientific Research.
During a meeting with the board of the Polish Academy of Science Kleiber said that scientists have limited themselves by presenting their financial needs and are not profiting from the opportunities created by the contract connected to the government's purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the US defence contractor.
Joanna Kulesza, the scientific research committee's spokeswoman, said that often scientists do not take into consideration that the money they are supposed to receive is an investment, which in future should bring revenues.
"It is true, we did not organise any training on how to prepare a business plan, but our scientists should know how to take care of themselves," Kulesza said.
Jacek Rońda, an adviser to Kleiber, said that the committe is working on 600 applications.
"One-quarter of them are innovative projects that are ready to be subject to the contract with the American side," he said. "The rest must be worked on." Kulesza added that Kleiber preferred to see more projects connected to high technologies.
In the meantime, Gripen International, the British-Swedish company that participated in the tender for the jet fighters but lost to Lockheed Martin, confirmed that its offer was still up-to-date. This was a reaction to Leszek Miller's statement that the government would turn to Gripen in the event of a collapse of negotiations with the Americans on the offset deals.
