Professor Chris Moulin of Université Grenoble Alpes and Professor Krystian Barzykowski of the Jagiellonian University were honoured for their work on involuntary autobiographical memory and déjà vu, which has revealed new insights into how the brain automatically retrieves memories.

The biennial award, presented by the Foundation for Polish Science and the French Academy of Sciences, recognises outstanding achievements arising from scientific collaboration between Poland and France.

According to the Foundation for Polish Science, the researchers developed an integrated theoretical framework explaining how spontaneous memories and déjà vu are connected and how everyday experiences can automatically trigger these phenomena.

Their work has advanced understanding of the brain mechanisms responsible for automatic memory retrieval and could also have practical applications in clinical diagnosis. The researchers say the framework could help scientists study temporal lobe disorders and identify early cognitive changes that were previously difficult to detect.

Professor Krzysztof Pyrć, president of the Foundation for Polish Science, said international collaboration was essential to scientific progress.

"Modern science is a team sport, not an individual discipline. The most interesting things happen where people from different countries, different cultures, and different specializations meet. The mission of the Foundation for Polish Science is to initiate projects and programmes that enable and strengthen research collaboration. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie Polish-French Science Award is part of a long-standing tradition: Polish and French science have needed each other for generations. Maria Skłodowska-Curie needed Paris, but Paris also needed Maria Skłodowska-Curie. I would like this award to be not only a recognition of what the laureates have already achieved, but also an invitation to further joint projects and the formation of new teams in which Polish and French science will co-create science and Europe,” he said.

The award is presented every two years through an international competition. Twenty-two nominations were submitted for the 2026 edition.

Each laureate receives a total of €15,000, comprising a personal prize of €5,000 and a €10,000 grant to support future joint research. The prize is funded by the Foundation for Polish Science and the Zygmunt Zaleski Foundation.

Established in 2019 during the Polish-French Year of Science, the award honours scientists whose collaboration has made an outstanding contribution to research.

The award ceremony for the winners of the fourth edition of the award will take place this fall in Paris. (PAP)

PAP - Science in Poland

zan/ bar/

tr. RL