EVOLUTION OF POLAND’S INNOVATION POLICY AFTER EU ACCESSION

Abstract

The accession of Poland to the European Union (May 1, 2004) served as a strong catalyst for profound and systemic transformation within the national innovation system. This study analyses the key stages in the evolution of Poland’s innovation policy from 2004 to the present, focusing on the role of EU membership as the primary driver of modernization.
The initial phase (2004–2010) was characterized by an exponential surge in financing from EU structural funds, which rapidly increased national support for innovation from millions to approximately €1.3 billion by 2010. This period saw the establishment of crucial institutions like the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) and the National Science Centre (NCN). The subsequent phase (2010–2019) focused on institutionalization and fiscal incentives, with the share of GDP allocated to R&D increasing significantly (from 0.55% in 2004 to 1.39% in 2020). Key legislative changes included the introduction of the first Innovation Support Acts (2017, 2018), which provided substantial tax relief (up to 150% deduction) for R&D expenditures, and the adoption of the «Constitution for Science» (2018), reforming university governance and cementing the strategic role of science in the economy.
The current phase (starting from 2020) shifts the policy priority towards digitalization, Industry 4.0 principles, and «green» technologies, aligning with the EU’s Digital Market Strategy. This culminated in the adoption of the Artificial Intelligence Act in 2024. The transformation demonstrates that Poland successfully combined significant financial investments, primarily from the EU budget, with a robust legal framework to stimulate scientific and technological activity. The Polish experience offers a valuable model for the effective modernization of a national innovation system during European integration.