Natural sciences [2026-05-19]

A Joint Space for Science and Medicine

— Editors

University hospitals are set to find it easier to secure funding for research projects, whilst researchers will receive support at every stage of their work – the NCU Collegium Medicum University Centre for Clinical Research Support has opened in Bydgoszcz.

The establishment of the Centre strengthens the research capacity of the Collegium Medicum at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. The Centre offers comprehensive support to researchers at every stage of their research projects – from conception and planning, through methodological supervision, to the analysis and presentation of results.

Clinical trials are among the most demanding areas of modern science, combining medicine, legal regulations, finance and responsibility towards patients – emphasises dr habil. Adam Kola, NCU Prof.  and Vice-Rector for Research. – In such an environment, success is not a matter of chance, but of a well-organised process. Today's opening marks the beginning of this. I will consistently support the development of this initiative.

The establishment of the Centre was a response to requests from researchers in Bydgoszcz, who were seeking greater support from the university to boost the pace of their research. These suggestions were in line with the expectations of the Polish and European Union authorities regarding an increase in the number of clinical trials, which ensure better access to medicines and modern therapies and optimise the healthcare system. Consequently, the new Centre was established as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, receiving funding of PLN 14.67 million.

Clinical research enables the safe assessment of the efficacy and safety of new products and medicines for patients, says prof. dr habil. Dariusz Grzanka, Vice-Rector for Collegium Medicum. This complex process will now be much easier thanks to the work of the Center for Clinical Research Support – a team of specialists suitably qualified to carry out this project.

The University Centre for Clinical Research Support officially began operations on May 15th. The launch was accompanied by a scientific conference held at the Dr Antoni Jurasz University Hospital No. 1 in Bydgoszcz, which brought together representatives from medical universities, clinicians and specialists in the field of clinical research. The meeting provided an opportunity for substantive discussion, the exchange of experiences and the development of cooperation between research centres across the country.

The centre is located within the NCU Collegium Medicum complex, in the immediate vicinity of the University Hospital No. 1. The unit employs 25 specialists and is headed by prof. dr habil. Paweł Zalewski, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the NCU Collegium Medicum.

The University Centre for Clinical Research Support benefits patients, the university and partner hospitals. Patients gain access to cutting-edge treatments not yet available as part of standard care. The university strengthens its research capacity and its position in the field of biomedical research in Poland. Hospitals, in turn, receive a stable source of funding to support the further development of their scientific and medical activities. The unit operates on a shared-services model, acting as a central hub coordinating clinical research within an academic consortium. This enables research sponsors to access the resources and patient databases of two teaching hospitals through a single point of contact.