The Polish Academy of Sciences (PAS) was first set up in Warsaw in 1952. At present it is engaged in international-caliber research in virtually all fields of science and scholarship. It fosters, educates, and supports a broad community of scientists and scholars in Poland. It also plays an important role for society, in providing and promoting fact-based knowledge.

The Academy has a somewhat complex structure, chiefly comprising an elected body of Academy Members (as well as an elected body of members of the Young Academy), a network of dozens of cutting-edge research institutes, and a set of numerous committees and advisory panels. It also embraces a number of auxiliary units, including libraries, archives, museums, a botanical garden, and conference centers. The Academy also maintains a strong presence in Poland’s regions, in a number of major European capitals, and even at the North and South Poles (via polar stations operated by PAS Institutes).

One of the important elements of the Academy is the PAS Committee on Ethics in Science. It upholds the observance of the principles of research ethics by the employees of the scientific units of the Academy, Poland’s universities, and other research institutes. Another important body is the Audit Committee, which oversees the financial and economic activities of the Academy (more information is available in Polish on the PAS Public Information Bulletin).

The PAS represents Poland in many international organizations, including: the European Federation of Academies of Sciences (ALLEA), the European Academies’ Scientific Advisory Council (EASAC), and the Scientific Advice for Policy by European Academies (SAPEA) consortium. It maintains regular contacts with partners from all over the world.

The Polish Academy of Sciences had its first headquarters at the historic Staszic Palace, a historic building situated along the Royal Tract in Warsaw’s old quarter. Today the Staszic Palace still houses more than a dozen scientific and scholarly institutions, most of them associated with the Polish Academy of Sciences. Its impressive historic interiors are also used to host debates, conferences, and other meetings.   The Academy itself, however, is now headquartered at the Palace of Culture and Science, a striking skyscraper in central Warsaw. The Academy’s authorities (its President and Vice-Presidents) and its Chancellery have their offices there.