The Ministry of Science and Higher Education is keen to inject EU funds into new technology and is looking to Britain for inspiration.

The ministry above all wants to improve the flow of knowledge and technology between the higher education and business sectors. They have called on the British embassy as higher education institutions have long been working together with the business sector in that country. Research shows that few of the many achievements of Polish science have been put to commercial use. The European Patent Office only received 122 applications from Poland during 2006, compared with 4,721 from Britain, and Polish businesses spend less than a tenth of the EU average on research and development (R&D).

"Our aim is to strengthen the ties between science and business," said Olaf Gajl, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Science. "We want to change Polish scientists' perceptions about working with industry by showing them how they do things in Britain. This is an opportunity for us to adapt the British model to Polish conditions."

While planning innovative projects jointly financed from EU structural funds, the ministry wants to follow Britain's lead in having the business, educational and R&D sectors working together.

"Our research efforts have been geared towards practical applications for many years now," said Ric Todd, British ambassador to Poland. "Working out the optimal model for cooperation between science and business has been quite costly in terms of time and manpower. Poland, though, has an impressive scientific base and is well placed to benefit from EU funds and our experience."

Britain has clocked up quite a few successes as a result of business and science working in tandem. The development of human genome sequencing and a method of creating "genetic fingerprints" from DNA technology is a prime example. This has revolutionized forensic medicine by making it easier to identify criminals. DNA technology is helping make the British economy more cutting-edge.

Brussels has allocated Poland more than 67 billion euros between 2007 and 2013, and a large part has been earmarked for R&D, professional training and making the Polish economy more innovative.

"Drawing on the British experience of universities working with industry should help us use these funds more effectively. We need a smooth flow of knowledge between universities and businesses," said Gajl.