Abstract
Aim: The aim of the article is to discuss issues related to both the legal status and the location of research institutes in the economic and scientific space. The special nature of the activity of institutes consisting in the duality of public and commercial purposes causes that in doctrine and jurisprudence there are discussions and disputes as to the unambiguous definition of the nature of the activity of the institutes. This publication analyses and points to the public-commercial nature of the business. Regardless of the public mission and the possibility to receive subsidies from the state budget, the institutes are, after all, self-financing entities registered in the National Court Register, excluded from the catalogue of entities of the public finance sector. They cover their operating costs from the generated revenue and carry out their business activities as entrepreneurs, responsible for their own liabilities.
Introduction: The development of science is the foundation of technical and social progress and a source of dynamic economic growth. Without scientific and research activities, it is difficult to imagine the development of civilisation, which, in its present form of technological advancement, requires in-depth scientific knowledge. In the Polish system of higher education and science, one of the organisational and legal forms of conducting scientific and research activity are research institutes, which play a large role in stimulating the growth of innovation in the Polish economy, regardless of the category assigned to them by the legislator.
Methodology: The paper uses theoretical research methods, including an analysis of the provisions of the Act on Research Institutes, the Act on Higher Education and Science and the Act on Public Finance. The publication also reviews literature and common court judgments.
Conclusions: In the Polish system of higher education and science one of the organisational and legal forms of conducting scientific and research activity are research institutes, whose legal status and scope of activity is regulated by the Act of 30 April 2010 on Research Institutes (Polish Journal of Laws: Dz.U. 2020 poz. 1383). This publication discusses the legal basis and forms of operation of research institutes, pointing to the public-commercial nature of their activities, which results from the legal status, scope of responsibility or financial independence of research institutes.
Keywords: research institute, state legal person, public finance sector, research and development, public and commercial activities
Type of article: review article