Nearly PLN 1.3 million for projects of WUT students

The funding will be allocated to students and student research groups and will be used to support participation in international engineering competitions, scientific conferences, and research and development projects. The acquired funds will enable students to advance their projects in the fields of aviation, space exploration, robotics, energy, and artificial intelligence — from modern drones, Mars rovers, and heavy-lift aircraft to research on HVAC system efficiency and the development of cognitive architectures in intelligent information systems.

Team projects, tradition of student research groups

Warsaw University of Technology students got funding to complete six projects. Four of them will be developed at the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, one at the Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science and one at the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology.

• The SAE AeroDesign Student Research Group received funding for the project “Design, Construction, and Development of Unmanned Heavy-Lift Aircraft for the International SAE Aero Design Competition.” A total of 26 students will take part in the project, completing the entire design process — from conceptual aircraft design to aerodynamic testing — and will then compete in two editions of the SAE Aero Design 2026 competition in the United States. The team has long been among the global leaders in this field, having repeatedly reached the podium in previous editions of the competition.
• The Student Astronautical Association is developing a project titled “Participation in International Competitions and Conferences in the Field of Space and Rocket Technologies.” A group of 25 students from the Rocketry Section will take part in the project, presenting their designs at FAR-OUT 2026 and showcasing their research results at prestigious scientific conferences such as the AIAA Aviation Forum, ESA Symposium on European Rocket & Balloon, IEEE AUTOTESTCON, and CEAS Euro GNC. The project combines the development of rocket technologies with participation in international scientific forums, promoting Warsaw University of Technology and Polish engineering innovations within the global space industry.
• The Student Robotics Association will carry out a project titled “Participation in International Mars Rover Competitions.” The project involves 20 members of the Rover Team, who are developing HAL-062 — an autonomous rover capable of independent navigation, sample collection, and field analysis. The project enhances students’ skills in robotics, mechanics, electronics, and both low- and high-level programming. The team will compete in the University Rover Challenge 2026 in the United States and the European Rover Challenge 2026 in Poland.
• The Starling Drone Autonomy Student Research Group from the Faculty of Mathematics and Information Science is carrying out a project titled “Autonomous Drone Flight: Participation in the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League.” Six students will develop both the software and the design of an autonomous racing drone capable of flying at speeds exceeding 80 km/h, using only basic onboard sensors — an IMU and a single-lens camera. The project will enable participants to develop unique, nationally rare expertise in the fields of autonomous navigation and control, addressing current challenges in drone technology.

Individual projects, a new possibility

– This year for the first time since long ago the University received funding also for projects completed individually by students, which proves their increasing initiative and responsibility for their ideas – emphasises Paulina Chrobocińska, Rector’s Proxy for Student Research Groups.

• The first project is by Katarzyna Katana from the Faculty of Power and Aeronautical Engineering, titled “The Impact of Ceramic Heat Regenerators on the Energy Efficiency of Ventilation and Air-Conditioning Systems.” The author will build a research stand to analyse the energy consumption of HVAC systems and will present the results at IAQVEC 2026 in Los Angeles — one of the world’s leading conferences on indoor air quality and building energy efficiency. This project is an excellent example of combining technical innovation with research independence.
• The second individual project is by Feliks Bańka from the Faculty of Electronics and Information Technology, titled “Supporting the Student’s Continued Scientific Development in the Area of Cognitive Architectures and Multi-Agent Solutions Applied in Intelligent Information Systems.” The project focuses on research into integrating large language models (LLMs) with multi-agent architectures that enable agent collaboration and adaptation in complex analytical environments. The author will develop research platforms and prepare scientific publications for conferences such as AAMAS and ICML, addressing the applications of artificial intelligence in finance and decision-making systems. This project advances research on modern AI architectures, combining computer science and economic perspectives, and highlights the scientific potential of Warsaw University of Technology students in the field of intelligent information systems.

Common goals, enhancing competencies and promotion of Polish science

A total of nearly 80 students from the Warsaw University of Technology will take part in the six projects. All of these initiatives have an international scope, enabling young future engineers to develop their skills in project work, scientific communication, and management of interdisciplinary teams. Thanks to the commitment of students, supervisors of student research groups, and the support of the university, these projects not only enhance participants’ competencies but also promote Polish science, the Warsaw University of Technology, and Polish engineering on the international stage.

The financial resources for the implementation of these projects will come from funds allocated under budget section 28 – higher education and science, consisting of 17.48% from the state budget and 82.52% from the European budget, within the framework of the non-competitive project “Support for Students in Developing Their Competences and Skills” (Action 01.05 – Skills in Higher Education), implemented under the European Funds for Social Development Programme 2021–2027.