“Basic Sciences for Society needs: postdoctoral training” (BS4S) is a postdoctoral fellowship programme of the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences. BS4S aims to reshape researchers’ mindsets by encouraging them to consider societal, market, and technological needs in their work. The project promotes a need-driven innovation approach, making research more accountable to society and enhancing knowledge flow between academia and business.

BS4S will support 20 researchers for 36 months, pursuing research in IChF’s areas of excellence—health technologies, advanced biomaterials, photonics, catalysis, and materials for sustainable technologies. BS4S fellows will have two mentors: one affiliated with IChF and one from a foreign institution. 20 ERC/EIC application-oriented holders have committed as partners to mentor fellows and host secondments. Researchers will develop their individual projects and take part in tailored training designed to teach them how to transform basic research into real-world products or services, with support from 12 businesses offering internships and mentorship. BS4S will equip fellows with skills to transfer knowledge, start businesses, incubate projects, and translate innovative research into societal-impact products.