INSTYTUT NAUK GEOLOGICZNYCH POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK

Their core work

The Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences (ING PAN) is a research institute focused on Earth sciences, planetary science, and analytical geochemistry. Their core competencies include geology, cosmochemistry, astrobiology, and spectrometry — applying these to study the Solar System and terrestrial processes. Within H2020, they contributed laboratory infrastructure and analytical expertise to the EUROPLANET research infrastructure while consistently engaging in public science communication through the Małopolska Researchers' Night series, bringing geology and climate science to wider audiences.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2014–2016), ING PAN focused on general science promotion and technology demonstrations alongside their substantial planetary science infrastructure work through EUROPLANET. From 2018 onward, their Researchers' Night activities shifted distinctly toward ecology, climate, and environmental themes — reflected in project names like "Researchers4ECO" and "ECOResearchers4Earth." This suggests a deliberate pivot to align their public engagement with growing societal demand for climate and environmental literacy.

ING PAN is increasingly framing its geological expertise through an environmental and climate lens, making them a natural partner for projects needing Earth science credibility combined with public engagement capacity.

How they like to work

ING PAN has participated exclusively as a partner — never as coordinator — across all five projects, suggesting they contribute specialist expertise rather than lead consortia. With 50 unique partners across 20 countries, they have broad European exposure despite their modest project count. Their repeated participation in the Małopolska Researchers' Night series (4 editions) indicates loyalty to regional partnerships while the EUROPLANET consortium connects them to a much wider planetary science network.

Despite only five projects, ING PAN has worked with 50 distinct partners across 20 countries — largely through the large EUROPLANET consortium. Their network spans most of Europe, giving them surprisingly broad international connections for an institute of this H2020 scale.

What sets them apart

ING PAN sits at a rare intersection: deep analytical laboratory capabilities in planetary and geological sciences combined with a proven track record in public science engagement. Few geology institutes bring both spectrometry-grade analytical infrastructure and years of hands-on experience communicating complex Earth and space science to non-specialist audiences. For consortium builders, this dual capability — serious lab science plus science-society bridging — is hard to find in a single partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EPN2020-RI
  By far their largest project (EUR 61,750, 76% of total funding), contributing to Europe's flagship planetary science research infrastructure covering astrobiology, cosmochemistry, and space weather.
• ECOResearchers4Earth
  Their most recent project (2021), marking a clear thematic shift toward ecology and climate — signaling the institute's evolving engagement priorities.