Terms of Service

Terms and conditions of services supplied by electronic means – Funding Stream Support system (OSF)

Version 1.1

I. General Provisions

These Terms and Conditions stipulate conditions for the use of the Service.
The use of the Service is conditioned upon the acceptance of these Terms and Conditions, which is a document that is binding upon the Service Provider and the User with respect to the conditions and rules established for the use of the Service.
These Terms and Conditions are available free of charge on the Website to enable the User to gain access to, view, and save their content.
Users who refuse to accept these Terms and Conditions shall not be able to register and use the Services and shall not be entitled to make any claim against the Service Provider under these Terms and Conditions.
The Website enables the User to use electronic services provided by other websites via connections to such websites (logging in to and/or registering with the OSF via the OPI PIB MCL or Trusted Profile [Profil Zaufany] services). In the case defined in the previous sentence, terms of service or other documents specified by the service providers of such services that are available in domain-specific websites shall apply. Should this be the case, the provisions of these Terms and Conditions shall not apply to such services. Other services can be used only if the requirements specified in the terms of service for such services are met.
Prior to using the Service, the User is required to read these Terms and Conditions. By using the Service in any manner, the User declares and acknowledges that they have read, accepted, and will abide by these Terms and Conditions.
Any and all matters not covered by these Terms and Conditions shall be governed by applicable Polish regulations, and any and all disputes shall be settled by the Polish courts competent for the registered seat of the Service Provider.
These Terms and Conditions have been established under article 8.1 of the Act of 18 July 2002 on Services Supplied Electronically.
OSF Services are dedicated to entities that file and/or evaluate Applications for Funding, as part of various funding support streams, and Reports submitted to the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education (MNiSW), the National Science Centre (NCN), and the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR), as part of calls for proposals announced by these institutions.

II. Definitions

Account – a set of resources, functionalities, and authorisations (roles) assigned by the Service Provider to the User as part of the User’s Account that the User can use after logging in to the Website; An Account also serves as a tool to identify the User on the Website and enables the User to manage the User’s Profile and use specific Services. Accounts can be accessed via the Website. An Account may be assigned with specific roles that enable the User to access certain areas (modules) of the Service that are dedicated to the submission and/or management and/or evaluation of various types of Applications, Reports, and other documents. Roles are closely related to the level of access to data, content, and functionalities that are available as part of the User Account and to the levels of authorisation to manage Applications, Reports, and other documents.
Agreement – an agreement concluded between the User and the Service Provider whose subject matter pertains to the Service supplied via the Website according to the conditions specified in these Terms and Conditions.
Applicant – an entity on behalf of which Applications or Reports are submitted. An Applicant is the owner of Applications/Reports and data included therein.
Application (or Proposal) – an electronic document with a request for funds granted under a funding stream, created in the OSF system according to the requirements of specific calls for proposals, submitted in OSF on behalf of an Applicant by an Application Redactor.
Application Reader – a User with an Account to whom an Application Redactor has authorised to access the content of documents prepared for specific calls for proposals (Applications, Reports, other documents) in OSF, and who is authorised only to read such documents. Prior to the authorisation of Application Readers to gain access to documents, Application Readers should be first authorised to the same by relevant Applicants.
Application Redactor – a User that acts on behalf of an Applicant and that has an Account whose roles enable the User to: create, display, complete, supplement, and submit project funding applications, reports, funding agreements, and other documents required under calls for proposals in OSF. The actions described in the previous sentence are performed by Application Redactors via their Accounts. Acting on behalf of Applicants also means that Application Redactors are obligated to receive correspondence sent via OSF that pertains to the applications in which Users act in the capacity of Chief Redactors, and to follow the instructions included in such correspondence. If an Application Redactor is the author of a document and a person responsible for the creation of the document and is submitting the Application via OSF, they should be duly authorised by an Applicant. An Application Redactor who prepares a document is not the owner of the document nor of the data included in the document; such data is owned by the Applicant. According to the roles ascribed to their Accounts, Application Redactors are authorised to grant other individuals access to Applications, Reports, and other documents created by Application Redactors, provided that such access is limited to editing (Auxiliary Redactor) and/or reading (Application Reader). Should Application Redactors grant the individuals described in the previous sentence access to the content of documents, such individuals should be duly authorised by relevant Applicants and Application Redactors should verify whether such authorisations have been given prior to granting them access. All correspondence pertaining to the handling of Applications and/or Reports is sent to Application Redactor’s Accounts or to email addresses associated with those Accounts.
Associate – one of the entities that form a group of entities on behalf of which the Applicant submits an Application on OSF. The term ‘Associate’ can be used only in the case of Applications submitted by a group of entities. An entity acting in the capacity of Applicant is treated as the group leader that is legally authorised to represent the group. Other members of the group are Associates.
Authorisation – the right to perform specific actions in the OSF system that are assigned to the User’s Account. Authorisations are reflected by the OSF system roles that are assigned to the User and that grant them access to specific OSF functionalities as part of the Service. User Authorisations within one role may differ depending on the requirements specified by institutions responsible calls for proposals.
Auxiliary Redactor – a User with an Account to whom an Application Redactor authorised to access the content of documents prepared for specific calls for proposals (Applications, Reports, other documents) in OSF, and who is authorised to create them together with an Application Redactor. Auxiliary Redactors are not authorised to send prepared documents to institutions that announced calls for proposals. Prior to the authorisation of Auxiliary Redactors to co-create Applications, Reports, or other documents, Auxiliary Redactors should be first authorised to the same by relevant Applicants.
Data – data that is collected and processed by the Website, specifically:
1. User personal data provided by the User during the Registration process and during use of their Account
2. any data that is collected to create, file, process, handle, and evaluate Applications, Reports, Decisions, Funding Agreements, or any other documents generated using the Website.
Decision (or Funding Decision) – a unilateral act of will that is made by an entity that announces a call for proposals for which an Application is filed and that has the form of a formal document generated by/stored on the Website and containing information on the examination of an Application and on the result of the content-related evaluation of an Application.
Funding Agreement – an electronic document stored in or created using the Website that stipulates the rights and obligations of an Applicant regarding funds granted on the basis of a positive content-related evaluation of an Application in the OSF system.
Logging In – a process that, when completed, enables the User to access their Account.
Login – an individual and unique name set by the User during the Registration process that serves as the User’s individual identifier on the Website and that consists of a string of letters, digits, and other characters; Logins and passwords are necessary to log in to the Website.
MCL (or OPI PIB MCL) – The Central Logging Module (Moduł Centralnego Logowania) is an information and communication technology (ICT) system provided by the Operator that enables the User to authenticate via OSF Central Accounts. The unabridged version of the terms and conditions for the MCL system can be found here.
Minister – a minister competent with science and higher education that is the owner of the OSF system and the Website.
Operator – the National Information Processing Institute (OPI PIB) headquartered in Warsaw at the following address: al. Niepodległości 188b, entered in the Register of Entrepreneurs maintained by the Regional Court for the capital city of Warsaw, 16th Commercial Division of the National Court Register, under No. 0000127372, tax identification number (NIP): 525-000-91-40, legal entity statistical number (REGON): 006746090, which administers and maintains the OSF system on behalf of the Service Provider; The Operator is an entity authorised to represent the Service Provider and to take necessary actions regarding the proper supply of the Services and maintenance of the OSF system, in accordance with article 356 of the Act.
OSF (or ZSUN/OSF) – the Funding Stream Support System (Obsługa Strumieni Finansowania) is an ICT system developed to register and handle science funding applications, reports submitted to the Minister, to the Polish National Science Centre, and to the National Centre for Research and Development.
Profile – information on the User established based on their Account on the Website.
PSWiN – the Act of 20 July 2018 on Higher Education and Science.
Registration – the process of creating an Account.
Registration Form – a form that is completed for the purposes of Registration and creation of Accounts.
Report – an electronic document prepared using OSF that is submitted by Application Redactors to present periodical or final information on the use of funds granted to Applicants under Decisions or Funding Agreements. Reports are submitted to the institutions that issue Decisions or that are parties to Funding Agreements.
Service – services supplied electronically to the User via the Website, including the use of Accounts, assigned Authorisations, and other services specified in Section V of these Terms and Conditions. The Service is supplied according to the rules specified in these Terms and Conditions and in terms and conditions that are relevant for specific calls for proposals.
Service Provider – Minister.
Terms and Conditions – these Terms and Conditions, which stipulate conditions for the use of the Service.
User – a natural person who has initiated the Registration process to create an Account or who already has an Account, and acts on his or her own behalf, on behalf of an Applicant, or on behalf of an institution responsible for a specific call for proposals. A User who has an Account may use the Account to carry out actions as per Website Authorisations. User Authorisations in the system depend on the nature of actions performed by the User when handling Applications, Reports, and other documents on behalf of other entities.
Website – an internet electronic service platform available at https://osf.opi.org.pl that is maintained and managed by the Service Provider as part of the OSF system and administered by the Operator. The Website enables the User to use the Services supplied by the Service Provider as part of the OSF system.

III. Rules of use of the service

Users can be registered, and these Terms and Conditions can be accepted by any natural person.
The Service is free of charge. The Service Provider shall supply the Service to the User throughout the term of the Agreement, subject to the provisions of these Terms and Conditions.
The Service may be used by any User after the User creates and activates an Account and accepts these Terms and Conditions.
Each User is allowed to have only one Account in the system. An Account is identified with an email address associated with the Account and a Polish personal identification number (PESEL), or a type and number of any other identification (if a User has no PESEL) provided during the Registration process. The User is allowed to use other Accounts (i.e. those that are not associated with PESEL number or other ID data) only:
1. if the User uses auxiliary accounts created for the roles of Auxiliary Redactors or Application Readers
2. if the User uses accounts generated by the system automatically (for roles other than Application Redactor)
3. if the User uses accounts owned by employees of institutions responsible for calls for proposals (for roles other than Application Redactor)
4. in other cases if such is a requirement of institutions responsible for calls for proposals.
The User is not allowed:
1. to provide untrue, inaccurate, or outdated information and data:
  1. during the Registration process (in a Registration Form)
  2. in Applications, Reports, Funding Agreements, and other documents that are completed in the system
2. to use other Users’ Accounts
3. to make their Account available to other Users
4. to use more than one Account, subject to the provisions of item 4
5. to use their Account to upload any content that is illegal or contrary to principles of morality or that offends human dignity
6. to use the system to upload, browse, download, print, or share documents, descriptions, and other materials that are protected by patents or industrial property rights, or that may infringe patents, copyrights, or intellectual property rights, without the consent and knowledge of entities and individuals that are authorised to execute or that own such rights
7. to process the personal data of other individuals without their consent and authorisation
8. to disseminate untrue and illegal information on the Service
9. to tamper with the Website or the Service, including altering the code of the Website or the software that is used to supply the Service, or using or uploading malware, unlicensed extensions, or other mechanisms that may impair the operation of the Website
10. to disclose information to unauthorised third parties if the User uses the Service to perform actions for and on behalf of Applicants or institutions responsible for calls for proposals.
Applicants are owners of Funding Applications prepared using OSF and of all data included in such Funding Applications. Applicants are entities (or groups of entities) on behalf of which Application Redactors create and submit Applications. Upon the written request of an Applicant, the Operator may transfer Applications stored on an Application Redactor’s Account to another person who has an Account in the OSF system and the role of Application Redactor to such a person. The transfer of an Application to another Application Redactor is subject to the following procedure:
1. An Applicant provides the Head of OPI PIB with a written request to change the Application Redactor. The request must include:
  1. the ID or registration number of the Application that is to be transferred to the new Application Redactor
  2. the personal data of the current Application Redactor (including their system Login or PESEL)
  3. data on the Application Redactor to whom the Application/Applications are to be transferred (including their system login or PESEL).
2. If the request pertains to multiple Applications, it is necessary to provide the ID/registration numbers of all Applications and the data on their Redactors.
3. After the data sent to OPI PIB is verified, the OSF administrators will attempt to transfer the relevant Applications to the new Application Redactor. Should more detailed information be required on the scope of works, OPI PIB reserves the right to contact Applicants directly to clarify all issues.
4. Requests to change Application Redactors can be submitted:
  1. in writing, directly to OPI PIB:
    Ośrodek Przetwarzania Informacji – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy
    al. Niepodległości 188 B
    00-608 Warszawa
  2. via the e-PUAP platform to /OPIPIB/SkrytkaESP
5. Requests to change Application Redactors made by natural persons by telephone or by email directly to the OPI PIB Helpdesk shall not be considered.
If the User acts for and on behalf of Applicants or entities responsible for calls for proposals and performs specific legal actions via the Service in connection with fund award procedures or settlements or evaluations of projects, the User will be obligated to adhere to internal regulations of relevant entities they represent regarding safe information and personal data processing.

IV. Registration

Subject to special cases specified in section III item 4 letters a) through d) above, the User can register only by submitting Registration Forms via the Website or via other websites (Trusted Profile [Profil Zaufany] or OPI PIB MCL), which provide electronic registration forms to create Accounts.
By submitting Registration Forms, the User declares that:
1. the data they have provided is true and complete
2. they have full legal capacity and can enter into agreements on services supplied electronically
3. if they act on behalf of entities that develop or act for the higher education system specified in article 7 of PSWiN or on behalf of other entities that apply for funding as part of calls for proposals conducted in OSF, the User is authorised to act on behalf of such entities, to represent them, and to make declarations of will on their behalf, and the User will present relevant powers of attorney when requested to do so by the Minister or the Operator
4. the data they have provided does not breach any third party rights
5. they have read and will follow these Terms and Conditions.
The information on Users being authorised to perform legal actions using the Services on behalf of the entities specified in article 7 of PSWiN or other entities applying for funding as part of calls for proposals in OSF may be subject to verification checks. This information will be verified against the data possessed by the Service Provider or available in public reference databases. Alternatively, the User may be asked to present relevant powers of attorney that authorise the User to represent specific entities.
Natural persons complete the Registration Forms and accept these Terms and Conditions.
After receiving a correct Registration Form, and in special cases specified in Section III item 4 letters a), b) and d), the Service Provider, based on the data provided in the Registration Form, creates a unique User Account. The Login is the Identifier of the Account.
The email addresses associated with the User Account is necessary for the Service Provider to identify the User. Email addresses are used for any correspondence regarding the supply of the Service.
The email addresses provided by the User should be unique. This means that only one email address can be used by one User during the Registration process.
The Service Provider may refuse to create an Account of a specific name if the name is already used by another User or if the Service Provider reasonably believes that the name violates legal regulations or good practices, or infringes the personal rights or legitimate interests of the Service Provider.
Clicking on the ‘Create Account’ button will send an activation link to the email address specified in the Registration Form.
To complete the Registration process, the User should click on the activation link.
After the Registration process is complete, an Account is created and assigned to the Login specified by the User in the Registration Form.
The User accesses their Account via their login and passwords (or via an MCL account that was paired with the already existing User Account in OSF). The User may not disclose the password to unauthorised persons and is solely responsible for any damage caused by the disclosure thereof.
It is not possible to use the Services without Registration.
If the User registers via the Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or OPI PIB MCL services, such registration is subject to the terms and conditions of those services.

V. Electronic services

The User may use the Website to:
1. gain access to the Registration Form to create an Account
2. register via the Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or OPI PIB MCL services
3. log in to electronic services that are available via their Account
4. gain access to their Account
5. gain access to information published by the Service Provider.
The scope of the Service depends on the OSF roles and authorisations ascribed to specific User Accounts.
After logging in, the User, acting in the capacity of Application Redactor, can:
1. create, redact, and submit Applications/Reports to entities that announced their calls for proposals in OSF as part of various funding streams, such as MNiSW, NCN, and NCBR
2. view, edit, and delete the Data on the Account, including changing the Account password
3. view, edit, and delete data included in submitted Applications/Reports
4. grant authorisations to other persons acting in the capacities of Auxiliary Redactors and Application readers with regard to Applications/Reports created by the User, provided that such persons are authorised to perform actions on behalf of the Applicants for whom Applications or other documents are redacted with the use of the Service.
The scope of the Service for Application Redactors specified in item 3 may be limited depending on the rules of calls for proposals in the OSF system, the status of a competition, or the status of Applications/Reports/other documents in the system.
If the User acts for and on behalf of institutions that have announced calls for proposals (MNiSW, NCN, NCBR), such institutions may grant them Authorisation to take on other roles than Application Redactors, i.e. grant them system roles that are dedicated to persons who handle and evaluate Applications. Such Authorisations are dedicated to Users that act for and on behalf of institutions that announce calls for proposals — particularly to those that are employees of such institutions or to those that are working under a specific contract.
The scope of the Service specified in item 5 is defined by the institutions responsible for calls for proposals according to the rules, regulations, and legal acts that determine how such calls for proposals should be organised. The scope of the Service may be limited for some Users and is subject to their OSF roles and Authorisation.
The user may request to have their Account deactivated. Requests should be submitted to the Operator via the Helpdesk system, whose terms and conditions can found here.
Users who have deactivated their Accounts will not be able to use the Service. Any and all data that has been gathered on deactivated Accounts will remain in the Operator’s database to ensure the continuity, transparency, integrity, accountability, and control of all elements and processes regarding the organisation of competitions for which calls for proposals are/were conducted in the OSF system.

VI. Technical conditions

To use the Service, the User is required to have a computer or a mobile device with access to the internet, a browser installed, and an email account registered in any domain. The Website is generally available through web browsers commonly used for such purposes.
To ensure the full potential of the Services, the User must enable Cookies and JavaScript functions, and use the latest version of one of the web browsers listed on the OSF home page.
The requirements specified above may be subject to change due to technological advancements—in particular, current software may be replaced with newer versions.
The Service Provider will supply the Services according to these Terms and Conditions twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and guarantees that the Services will be available for 95% of this time. The Service Provider reserves the right to conduct maintenance works between 7:00 and 9:00 am to implement new system versions. During that time, the system may be temporarily unavailable.
Any other maintenance will be announced by the Service Provider via various channels, including the Website.
If the Service Provider discovers that the User has violated these Terms and Conditions, the Service Provider shall have the right to block the User’s Account without warning and prevent the User from using the Services (deactivate their Account).
Information on the Service Provider’s intention to deactivate an Account will be sent to the email address associated with the User’s Account or in another form if the email address provided by the User is invalid.
If the User’s access to the Service is blocked, the User will not be able to use the Service.
The Operator will perform necessary actions to ensure that the Website and the Services are safe and seamless.
The Service Provider cautions that the use of the Service may involve typical risks related to the use of the internet and encourages the User to take appropriate measures to minimise such risks by implementing suitable information security policies and gaining knowledge on the fundamentals of secure information processing.

VII. Personal data processing

Information on personal data processing is available on the Website’s – GDPR notice tab.
The Website uses cookies. Detailed information on the cookie files can be found in the Website Cookies Policy.
Data gathered in OSF is protected against unauthorised access by system, physical, and organisational security features in line with the accepted and currently applicable security and personal data policy.
According to article 6 item 2 of the Act of 18 July 2002 on Services Supplied Electronically, the Service Provider informs the User that cookies are employed to enhance the quality of the Services provided. Cookie files improve the quality of the Services by storing Users’ preferences. The Service Provider collects information from cookie files for its own purposes only. Cookie files do not identify personal data and do not affect the operation of any end devices or their software. Cookie files consist of strings of characters that are sent from OSF to the User’s computer or mobile device when websites are opened in web browsers. Cookie files store data on Users’ preferences and other information. Cookies can work properly only if they are accepted by browsers and are not deleted from hard drives. The User can reject cookies and be notified that cookies are sent by selecting the right options in their web browser settings.
The Service Provider uses its best efforts to ensure a high level of security for all functions offered to the User. Any and all incidents affecting the security of transferring information and data, including those regarding the suspected sharing of files containing viruses or other files of similar nature, or other nonfile destructive mechanisms should be reported to the Operator by telephone on the number specified on the website home page, or by email at the Helpdesk address specified on the Website.
The Service Provider shall not be liable for any changes to the data made or information accessed by third parties using original User identifiers or by Auxiliary Redactors appointed by the User.
The Service Provider shall not be liable for prohibited Users’ actions—in particular, for the unauthorised sharing or disclosing of personal data available on the Website, or for the granting of access to Website data to unauthorised persons.

VIII. Rights of the Service Provider

The Service Provider and the Operator reserve the right to:
1. temporarily cease to supply the Services due to maintenance
2. send technical, legal, and transactional notifications regarding the supply of the Services to the User’s email address
3. refuse to supply the Services if the User provides an incorrect, false, or temporary email address, or false data in the Registration Form
4. refuse to supply the Services if the User fails to adhere to these Terms and Conditions
5. modify the Services and/or the Website in any manner the Service Provider sees fit
6. personalise the content of messages sent to Users and select recipients at the sole discretion of the Service Provider
7. deactivate the User Account if the User persistently breaches these Terms and Conditions
8. cease supply of the Services, delete all Users’ data, transfer the rights to the entire Website or to any part thereof to another entity, and perform any other lawful actions regarding the Website or any part thereof, for which the User will not be entitled to any claims against the Service Provider.
In the case of reasonable doubt regarding the authenticity of the data provided by the User, the Service Provider or the Operator may request the User to produce documents that confirm such data.
The Service Provider or the Operator reserve the right to access the User’s Account to solve any issues causing problems with the Account.
The Service Provider or the Operator reserve the right to deactivate an Account if:
1. there is a change in the applicable legal regulations or statutory activity
2. the User, according to reliable information, uses the Service in a manner that breaches the law, runs counter to good practices, or breaches the third-party rights or legitimate interests of the Service Provider or the Operator
3. the User uploads any content that breaches these Terms and Conditions.
Information on the deactivation of the Account is sent electronically to the email address associated with the Account or is provided through a different channel that is available to the Operator.
If the Account is deactivated, the User will not be able to access the Services.
The Service Provider or the Operator shall have the right to delete redacted Applications if they have not been approved by a person authorised by an Applicant, but have been submitted to an institution responsible for a call for proposals. Such Applications shall be deleted within twelve months of the last day of the call for proposals.

IX. Liability of the Service Provider and the Operator

The Service Provider and the Operator shall not be liable for any damage that arises from discontinuance of the Services, unless such damage is caused by culpable conduct of the Service Provider or the Operator. The Service Provider and the Operator shall not be liable for any damage resulting from discontinuance of the Services due to the User breaching these Terms and Conditions.
The Service Provider and the Operator shall not be liable for:
1. any damage to third parties resulting from using the Services by the User in a manner that violates these Terms and Conditions or the rules of law
2. loss of data by the User caused by external conditions (e.g. hardware failure) or by other events beyond Service Provider’s and Operator’s control (actions of third parties) unless the data has been lost due to the fault of the Service Provider or the Operator
3. any damage resulting from lack of continuity in the supply of the Services caused by circumstances beyond Service Provider’s and Operator’s control (force majeure, actions, and failures to act of third parties, etc.)
4. untrue or incomplete information provided by the User during the Registration process
5. acts or failures to act of internet service providers and for failures and disruptions of the internet network used by the User to access the Service
6. consequences of third parties gaining access to the User’s Logins and passwords
7. consequences of actions taken by the User that violate these Terms and Conditions
8. interruptions in the supply of the Service resulting from events beyond the Service Provider or Operator’s control.
9. the correctness of personal data provided by the User during the Registration process.

X. Failure reports

Malfunctions, problems, and technical remarks regarding the Service can be reported by the User to the Operator by telephone using the number specified on the Website home page, or by email at the Helpdesk address specified on the Website.
Reported issues may pertain to faulty operation of the Service or malfunctions on the Website that are out of line with these Terms and Conditions. Reported issues regarding faulty operation of the Service are generally handled by the Operator. If faulty operation of the Service or the Website affects substantive aspects of a call for proposals or competition applications, the influence of such faulty operation shall be at any one time evaluated and decided by an entity to which a relevant Application is addressed or submitted, or an entity that considers such an Application (the Minister, NCN, or NCBR).
Faults, drawbacks, and inconsistencies regarding the use of the Service or the Website cannot be reported if they result from:
1. errors and mistakes of the User
2. malfunction of internet browsers or telecommunication lines
3. actions of third parties for which the Service Provider and the Operator are not liable.
A reported problem should be described briefly and supplemented with the User’s data (name, surname, email address). All reported problems are handled by the Operator individually and evaluated in the context of the competition to which they pertain.
Problems should be reported immediately after the discovery of any Website malfunctions, and in no case later than on the next business day from the date of the discovery. If the problem pertains to the system that is used to submit a competition application, and if the competition ends on the day on which the problem is discovered, the problem should be reported immediately to the Operator and to the institution that is responsible for the relevant call for proposals. Website technical errors that are reported to the Operator after a call for proposals closes may not be considered by the Operator. Such problems are handled by the Operator in collaboration with the institution that is responsible for the relevant call for proposals.
If the data or information included in the complaint must be completed, the Operator, before handling the complaint, will ask the reporting User to complete such data or information.
The Operator shall investigate the problem within thirty days of the day on which it is reported, provided that the problem is reported in line with the requirements above and that all information is complete. In the case of complex problems, the above deadline may be extended to sixty days, of which the person who lodges a complaint will be notified by the Operator in advance. The User will be informed about the manner in which the issue will be handled in an email sent to the address associated with the Account.
Complaints lodged with the Operator that pertain to the services supplied by third-party entities (internet service providers, service providers affiliated with OSF, etc.) will not be handled by the Operator.
The Operator reserves the right not to handle any complaints regarding content-related issues pertaining to system templates of competition forms, reports, and funding agreements; the manner in which they should completed; and their evaluation in the system. Any and all content-related issues are handled by relevant institutions responsible for calls for proposals and their legal and technical requirements (the Minister, NCN or NCBR). Remarks and complaints regarding such issues should be reported to said institutions via officially agreed contact channels. In the case of calls for proposals organised by the Minister, remarks and complaints should be reported through the Helpdesk system.
The User is obligated to notify the Operator of any problems and malfunctions of the Website as soon as practicable.

XI. Copyrights

All rights to the works, within the meaning of the Act of 4 February 1994 on Copyright and Related Rights, that constitute part of OSF, including to the entire OSF system and to any fragments thereof — specifically, to text, graphic, and multimedia elements, and to programming elements that generate and ensure the operation of OSF or that enable the use of the Service — are reserved by the Service Provider.
Clients and Users are not authorised to sell or in any other way commercialise or disseminate OSF or any fragment thereof. In particular, Clients and Users are not authorised to send OSF data or to share it in any computer systems or networks, or in other ICT systems.
Any instance of copyright infringement by Clients or Users may result in their liability for their actions under civil or penal proceedings.

XII. Final provisions

The Service Provider reserves the right to amend these Terms and Conditions.
Clients will be notified of any changes to these Terms and Conditions in messages published on the OSF Website. Clients that decide not to accept these Terms and Conditions during their first log-in to the system after the changes have been implemented will not be able to use the Service.
Any and all disputes related to performance of the Agreement shall be settled by the Polish courts of general jurisdiction competent for the registered seat of the Service Provider. In the event of disputes over the manner in which the Service Provider supplies the Services, the Parties undertake to first settle any such disputes amicably through negotiations during a period of ninety days.
Any and all issues that are not covered by agreements concluded with the Service Provider shall be governed by Polish law.
Should any provision of these Terms and Conditions prove ineffective under a final and binding decision of the court, it will not affect the effectiveness of the remaining provisions hereof.
These Terms and Conditions enter into force on 08.01.2024.