PANSTWOWY INSTYTUT GEOLOGICZNY - PANSTWOWY INSTYTUT BADAWCZY

Their core work

PIG-PIB is Poland's national geological survey, providing applied geoscience services including subsurface characterization, groundwater assessment, raw materials mapping, and geo-energy evaluation. In H2020, they contributed geological expertise to projects on carbon capture and storage, shale gas environmental impact, geothermal energy, and Earth observation data integration. Their work bridges geological knowledge with environmental monitoring and resource management, serving both policy-makers and industry with subsurface data and risk assessment.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the earlier phase (2015–2017), PIG-PIB focused heavily on subsurface resource characterization — shale gas impact assessment, CCS infrastructure, and mineral resource intelligence (M4ShaleGas, ECCSEL, ProSUM, MICA). From 2017 onward, their focus shifted toward integrated geological services and Earth observation, with GeoERA building pan-European geological data platforms and e-shape promoting GEOSS interoperability and user uptake. This evolution shows a move from project-by-project subsurface studies toward systemic data infrastructure and service delivery roles.

PIG-PIB is transitioning from field-level geological research toward becoming a data and service integration hub for European geological surveys and Earth observation platforms.

How they like to work

PIG-PIB has never coordinated an H2020 project — they consistently join as a participant or third party, contributing specialist geological knowledge to large consortia. With 255 unique partners across 43 countries, they operate as a well-connected but non-leading contributor, typical of national geological surveys that provide essential data and expertise without driving project strategy. Their frequent third-party role (5 of 11 projects) suggests they are often brought in for specific geological datasets or national-level validation rather than as core research partners.

PIG-PIB has collaborated with 255 unique partners across 43 countries, reflecting the broad, pan-European consortia typical of geological survey and Earth observation projects. Their network spans well beyond the EU, consistent with projects like GEMex (Europe-Mexico cooperation) and GEO-CRADLE (North Africa and Middle East).

What sets them apart

As Poland's national geological survey, PIG-PIB offers authoritative subsurface data for Central-Eastern Europe — a region underrepresented in many EU geological datasets. They combine traditional geological expertise (mineral resources, groundwater, geo-energy) with growing capability in geospatial data interoperability and INSPIRE-compliant services. For consortium builders, they provide both the scientific credibility of a national institute and practical access to Polish geological data infrastructure.

Highlights from their portfolio

• SECURe
  Their largest funded project (EUR 466K) evaluating subsurface risks of CCS and unconventional gas — their core competency at highest investment.
• GeoERA
  Pan-European ERA-NET establishing a unified geological service across national surveys — positions PIG-PIB as part of the backbone of European geological data infrastructure.
• e-shape
  EuroGEO showcase project connecting Earth observation to real-world applications, marking their shift toward data services and user engagement.